LaGrange, GA, may be a small Southern city, but it is home to a voice making big waves. DeQuayvious Vadon, 29, is a rising cultural commentator and the co-creator of Goin’ In—a bold, no-holds-barred podcast he hosts alongside his friend and co-host, Go’ Boi.
The show, set to launch its official first season this month, is more than just entertainment; it is a space for unfiltered honesty, sharp humor, and powerful representation.
“Our goal is to talk about life and relationships the way people actually live them—messy, beautiful, complicated, and real,” Vadon says. “And we are doing that with the LGBTQ+ community front and center.”
With episodes planned around LGBTQ+ identity, relationship dynamics, mental health, and societal challenges, Goin’ In is part advice column, part confessional, and all heart. Vadon’s mission is crystal clear: create space where LGBTQ+ voices—especially those of Black and Brown queer folks—are not just welcomed but deeply respected.
“Visibility is only part of the work,” he says. “The real goal is making people feel seen. Truly seen. Like they matter. Like they’re protected.”
That protection, Vadon believes, is under threat.
“I am nervous,” he admits. “This new administration in the White House is bringing on pressure the LGBTQ+ community does not need. Especially our trans siblings, and even more so, Black trans women. They deserve real safety, real respect, and real support—not just lip service.”
Vadon does not shy away from calling out internal struggles within the LGBTQ+ community either.
“There is still racism and transphobia inside our own walls,” he says. “Non-binary and trans folks are doing so much for all of us, but some of us are not doing enough in return. We have to do better—because if any part of our community is unsafe, none of us are truly free.”
While Vadon has been fortunate to avoid professional discrimination, the personal toll has been more complicated. He has faced misunderstanding from loved ones, but his response is grounded in compassion and confidence.
“If someone does not get my sexuality, that is for them to unpack. Not me. I am not shrinking myself for anybody’s comfort.”
As Pride Month unfolds in 2025, Vadon sees it not just as a celebration but as a call to action.
“Pride is about truth, protection, and amplification,” he says. “It is not just rainbows and parades. It is about showing up when it’s hard, standing up when it is uncomfortable, and making space for joy, healing, and justice.”
His inspiration? Artists like Lil Nas X. “To stand in your truth that publicly, especially at such a young age, is powerful. There are grown men twice his age still hiding. He is doing what many fear—and doing it with grace.”
For young LGBTQ+ folx coming up today, Vadon has a message: “You are enough. You do not need anyone’s approval to live your truth. Be yourself. Be proud. And remember—God loves you, just as you are.”
