Unsafe Spaces: Tampa's Missing Men

For close to two decades, gay men in Tampa were disappearing at an alarming rate.

It was only as America became more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community that people, and the media, actually started to care that these men were missing.

And in the wake of a decades-long battle for equality, it was all the more devastating for the gay community to discover: It was one - or maybe even two - of their own who were responsible for what would become some of Florida’s most heinous and disturbed crimes.

Unsafe Spaces continues the style and ambition of host Josh Hallmark's True Crime Bullsh** podcast. It is obsessive, curious, challenging; and examines not just the crimes it covers, but the cultural and political impacts of and on them.

Unsafe Spaces arrives in your podcast feed on October 19th.

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Recent Reviews
  • Bellanikkita
    Invisible Victims
    This podcast has opened my eyes and provided awareness to a class of victims rarely mentioned in mainstream media stories. They deserve to have their stories heard, their cases solved and to receive justice. They matter.
  • Catte Adams
    Terrific show
    Can’t wait to get deeper into this show. Already hooked tho. Great storytelling and compellingly told. KUDOs. I love a good history show deeply researched. Keep going, we’re listening!
  • Jorashtim
    EXCELLENT!!
    Super realistic depiction of what the gay community was like in the 90’s and early 2000’s. There’s no question these guys committed more crimes than what we know. Glad you are looking into it!
  • RaeVan22
    Listen
    Great investigative podcast. Josh Hallmark brings just as much integrity and respect to this show as he does with TCBS.
  • Jfrog25
    🐐
    If I see Josh reporting on it, I’m listening to it! It’s that simple. Loved all of his reporting on Keyes and will be binging this one!
  • Tampa BC
    Glad someone’s exploring this
    I’m a gay man from Tampa. In my late 40s now, but in my mid 20s while this was going on. I recall being at 2606 around the same time as these disappearances. Going on dates and wondering if the guy I was with might be the one doing these things. Law enforcement dragging their feet on the known murders has been frustrating; but it’s always been clear there were other victims that they haven’t been charged with. I recall the missing persons posters above the urinals in various gay bars. Hope your research unsurfaces more connections that can be tied to Lorenzo and Schweikert.
  • LilyViolet$
    Please continue
    I do think working on Unsafe Spaces is important. You’re in the arena and you can possibly influence others to come forward with information or be part of discovering more living victims.
  • TampaPierce
    A surprising podcast, highly recommend
    I am gay and from Tampa and was coming of age during these murders but didn’t know anything about them. This podcast really unsettled me, it’s not a true crime podcast. It is much deeper and exploratory. The host is excellent and does a lot of heavy psychological lifting I was not expecting. The dialog between him and friends who host other podcasts is also interesting, particularly the one about psychopathy. I learned a lot. I am looking so forward to season 2.
  • Ncllnn
    Breathe
    My heart hurts so much right now. I’m only on episode 3 and starting over. how did it get there so fast?
  • jOmammad
    Josh has done it again!
    A second amazing podcast! I love Josh’s work, story telling and detailed thorough investigation. AMAZING! You will not be disappointed
  • Strick88
    Evolution
    Josh, You knocked this podcast out of the park. I hope it reaches your target audience and beyond. Wise words are being spoken and people need to hear them. I am not a gay man, I am not even a man. I am a Native American woman so persecution and discrimination are commonplace in my world however so is my ability to white pass and truly understand privilege. You have touched on so many points that people need to really dig deep and sit with for awhile. Your guests during this podcast are outstanding and I applaud all their work. Being a student of psychology and neuroscience they speak on facts and knowledge that is literally being ignored by old aged individuals that cannot accept change. I have been a fan of yours for YEARS, and if you run for president I am right there behind you! I cannot praise this podcast enough, amazing work by you and your whole team. I look forward to next season and telling everyone I can that they need to take a moment and listen.
  • LindseyLoucifer
    Another Outstanding Work by Josh
    Josh has outdone himself with another delivery of exceptional investigation and storytelling. Definitely recommend giving this and Josh’s other podcasts a listen. Check out Studio Both/And! You will not be disappointed.
  • duhdeedeeduh
    Gut Wrenching
    Josh is a fantastic investigative reporter and great storyteller. This story is so impactful and really gets one thinking about the ways society disregards people.
  • COWBOY68
    Not for True Crime Time
    Not bashing Josh but I know you said on your “extravaganza” shows for TCB that you were shocked/disappointed that this podcast is not popular ratings wise . Well this isn’t really a 100% true crime pod , is it ? If you would’ve had more investigative aspects and been true to a True Crime pod maybe it could’ve been received better . The story gets lost because of your interviews with your friends about gay culture , explaining gay terminology and the social lessons learned or not inside and outside of the gay community . We want to hear good crime stories not be told we’re not good people because all of society did not accept people that were gay and why . I understand the cathartic aspects but not sure why it was in this particular pod.
  • ArmyVet00
    You’ll want to listen no matter who you are
    Another excellent podcast from Josh Hallmark. This one hits a little different if you are “family”. Josh treats this story with the usual respect and meticulous research he is known for. However in addition to that there’s a history lesson on the gay experience that is touching and shocking that can engross anyone, LGBTQ or not. But if you are LGBTQ, there’s a certain beauty in the way Josh is exploring the pain we all felt, the injustice the victims of these crimes endured, and as I hit episode 7 the hope of justice to come.
  • eg portland
    Great
    Once again Josh puts out a podcast that goes beyond typical true crime . Excellent.
  • NappyDresser
    LBGTQ+ Directed Hate Crimes
    We have a brilliant lesbian Judge in Our community whose local lifetime Catholic Church refused Communion sacrament. That had just received 7.000$ from her also. It was put on TV to shame her. Highly politicized in W. MI. IMHO, White supremacy hate fuels Gays as crime victims. Huge problem. Gotta stop.
  • rebecca1175
    Fascinating and heartbreaking story
    Wonderfully researched, reported and produced as always.
  • Smilyme
    Excellence in podcasting
    Josh does great work, always. The vulnerability shared in these stories really touches and moves me. Excellence.
  • 0027JP
    Thoughtful and Important
    This podcast resonates on so many levels. Not only is it an important (and complicated/layered) story, the storytelling and life experiences shared are significant in their own right and add to the cases being covered. Once again Josh proves that he is one of the most ethical and thoughtful podcasters in the True Crime genre.
  • Pads Paws & Claws
    Important and Gripping
    It’s so important to bring attention to the stories that happen in the LGBTQ population, and Josh does this one masterfully. Highly recommend this addictive podcast. Excellent research and presentation, great storytelling.
  • Pjv2001
    Love Josh!
    Josh researches everything he does so well! I had never heard of these crimes, but I really like that he is covering them. He is very insightful and I enjoy his personal perspective as well.
  • VikingRouge
    Excellent
    This is another great one although equally terrifying. Josh the work you guys do is supreme truly!
  • Emfree123
    Honest, insightful, beautifully produced
    The first episode and the song after had me so captivated and in this journey with you. In my own journey as well. Josh, thank you for your dedication to painting the full picture so we all can contemplate the further implications. The example you set is a breath of fresh air.
  • Simmar101
    Very meaningful podcast
    I am anxiously awaiting the next episodes! Excellent work as usual Josh. The best part for me is the sensitive way you approach and share the challenges facing gay men. Thank you so much for sharing, I am learning so much
  • sbenavides03
    Excellent podcast
    Josh is one of my favorite podcasters. This is well researched and I look forward to any and all projects from Studio Both/And.
  • A Fan in DC
    Fantastic, thoughtful, and gripping narrative
    Josh brings his researching skills and meticulous sense of detail to a new story. He spends time on the context of these murders, exploring some of the norms and standards of gay life at the time, as well as introducing the central figures, their homicidal version of BDSM, and their odd collaboration. For those of us who prefer suspense and intrigue over explicit gore, Josh notes portions we might want to skip (and even more thoughtfully, how far ahead to skip). I really appreciate his restraint in jumping to conclusions, and his consideration for the people involved. I rarely listen to podcasts more than once, but this is a notable exception.
  • Millao2000
    Super important!
    Excellent and a must listen.
  • johnbbca
    Another must-listen from JH
    Another top-shelf, thoughtful, podcast from Josh Hallmark (should we expect anything else?). This work encouraged a lot of reflection for this straight white man and resulted in great conversations within our family. I encourage any listeners to support JH by leaving a review and (hopefully) pushing this podcast up in rankings.
  • jleuschke
    Fascinating story
    I’ve lived near and in Tampa my whole life and didn’t know anything about this story. Josh Hallmark is an amazing storyteller!
  • wants to read the book
    You need to hear this.
    This is a well researched and ethically produced podcast.
  • Don1527
    Another Great One
    I love the way Josh tells a story. Give it a listen.
  • Julie Beeee
    True Crime at its best and most important
    Another impressive podcast from Josh Hallmark. Unsafe Spaces is shining light on a case that deserves attention and whose victims deserve answers. I was hooked from the first episode.
  • nay raygun
    Spectacular!!!
    amazing story by an amazing story teller!!
  • cassidyhaisliplopez
    Always a masterpiece
    Josh Hallmark is the best podcaster I have ever listened to. His ability to tell a story and research his cases so thoroughly is both amazing and artful. I look forward to everything he does and have never been disappointed.
  • MR_R0B0T
    An enthralling listen
    Every time Josh Hallmark puts a new podcast out it’s always tonally a bit different, the subject matter ranges from light-hearted to dark, but there is always a personal touch. With Unsafe Spaces, Josh brings light to a case many may be unfamiliar with, but entwined with the retelling of the case is a very vulnerable look into Josh's own experiences that correlate. This is truly wonderful work and i look forward to more episodes.
  • Leila90041
    Brilliantly produced
    Josh Hallmark has done it again. Highly recommended!
  • FarmingtonDave
    Another masterful piece by Josh Hallmark
    Josh again delves deep into a storyline that hasn’t received the attention it deserves, and does so with intensity, integrity and with the same gripping style he always does. I’ll listen to anything Josh puts out, but this new podcast has me eagerly waiting each new episode drop.
  • Meta quest
    So good!
    Josh makes the best podcast! All of his podcast have sucked me in and this one has as well.
  • Carol22l
    Josh Hallmark
    Really does anything else need to be said?!?!?
  • hxneyfarmer
    Another Home Run for Josh!
    Josh has been my favorite crime podcaster since 2020 when I found TCBS and went down the Keyes rabbit hole. Unsafe Spaces is already promising another rabbit hole for me to fall down and fixate on. Josh is a master at handling sensitive cases with care and compassion, and this case being so culturally close to home for Josh just makes the coverage all the more poignant. Thanks for another incredible podcast!
  • Ryann257
    Great podcast
    I’m loving this podcast. Love everything Josh Hallmark touches because it is always so empathetic towards the victims and family of victims. You can feel all the research that goes into every episode. Great music as well.
  • Bananayana9
    Another hit
    Per usual, Josh brings insight and humanity to a really horrible series of crimes.
  • JJTJMA16
    Five stars
    This podcast is well researched and produced. Thank you, Josh for shedding light on this important story. I am learning so much and can’t wait to hear the rest of this season.
  • Bossypants16
    Wow
    The first two episodes give me a strong indication of how important and impactful this show will be. Josh is an incredible storyteller who has managed to do GOOD with his work on TCBS & I hope the same happens for this show. Everything Josh touches is gold because he genuinely cares. He’s more than just a podcaster creating a true crime podcast - his body of work speaks for itself.
  • julieluntz
    Enjoying the podcast so far
    Had never heard of this, appreciate Josh bringing this to the light. Highly recommend and thanks Josh for continuing to bring your listeners new content.
  • ladyfacee
    Fantastic
    The personalization of late 90s and early aughts gay perspectives adds to the investigation immensely. I’m ready for next week’s episode!
  • Seyhan able
    Incredible!
    Incredible Josh hallmark you are wonderful
  • Jenn A. F.
    Superb
    Josh has amazing insights into some unfortunately forgotten men. He has used his voice to give these lost men a voice. Well worth a listen.
  • LitFangirl
    Unending Empathy
    Josh Hallmark has put a spotlight on the people the media doesn’t always want to examine, and continues to bring perspective—not just his own—to the experiences of those in the culture. I am coming into Unsafe Spaces as a Christian, cis white woman. And I feel like it’s a safe space—yes, I meant to say that—for me to learn about the world I was taught to pretend didn’t exist as an Evangelical kid in the 80s and 90s. Josh breaks down barriers with his intellect, obsessive research, dedication to superior storytelling, and immense empathy. It’s not just about the crime. It’s about the people. It’s always about the people.
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