History Is Gay

Leigh & Gretchen have a few announcements about what's going on in History is Gay land - hiatus, transcripts, and a live show! Listen to get all the details :) Want to be a part of the volunteer team helping us transcribe History is Gay episodes? Visit www.historyisgaypodcast.com/transcriptions Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on Patreon and get awesome goodies, behind-the-scenes access, special minisodes, and more! Also you can get super cool merch in our store! Shirts, hoodies, totes, and more! Find our full list of sources and bonus content at www.historyisgaypodcast.com. Get at us on twitter @historyisgaypod, tumblr at historyisgaypodcast, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Don't forget to rate and review so more folks can see the show!

It’s that time of year again, time for the second annual live episode of History is Gay, live-recorded at TGIFemslash, the convention that birthed our little podcast! Join Leigh, Gretchen, and special guest host Morgan as they discuss the origins of queer censorship in the 20th century. They dive into the Hays Code, lesbian pulp fiction, and briefly discuss Patricia Highsmith, author of The Price of Salt---the lesbian pulp fiction novel from 1952 that became the 2015 blockbuster Carol. And don’t worry, this story has a happy ending! Outline0:00 – Introduction2:58 – The Hays Code22:39 – Lesbian Pulp Fiction35:32 – Patricia Highsmith and The Price of Salt41:56 – Closing and Where to Find us Online Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on Patreon and get awesome goodies, behind-the-scenes access, special minisodes, and more! Also now you can get super cool merch in our store! Shirts, hoodies, totes, and more! Find our full list of sources and bonus content at www.historyisgaypodcast.com. Get at u

February means love and Black History, so join Gretchen and Leigh as they celebrate both by diving into into the life and work of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin! Due to his being gay, Rustin’s role as advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr. and in organizing the 1963 March on Washington was actively erased for several decades. Fortunately, he’s been gaining more recognition in recent years and both queer history and civil rights history is actively recovering his memory and legacy. So join us as we talk about one of the most impactful but least well-known activists of the civil rights movement. Outline0:00 – Introduction5:14 – Main Topic: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the March5:23– Socio-Historical Context12:00 – Who were they? Bio Time. 1:05:17 – Why do we think they're gay?1:23:17 – Fun Segment: Pop Culture Tie-In1:27:05 – How Gay were They?1:29:20 – Closing and Where to Find us Online Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on Patreon and get awesome goodies, behind-the-scenes access, specia

What better way to celebrate the New Year than with a new episode of History is Gay? This time, Gretchen and Leigh dive into the brief, controversial, and totally extra reign of Emperor Elagabalus of Rome. Or rather, Empress Elagabalus! Whether it be marrying multiple wives and one husband, revolutionizing the Roman religion, installing women as senators, throwing parties with sex workers, or enjoying the attention of well-endowed men, Elagabalus was as unconventional as they come. And chances are, she may very well have been a trans woman. Outline 0:00 – Introduction 4:23 – Main Topic: Elagabalus 8:40 – Socio-Historical and Religious Context 13:31 – Fun Segment: Word of the Week 22:47 – Elagabal and Roman Religion 29:39 – Who were they? Bio Time 54:48 – Why do we think they're gay? 1:08:30 – Analysis from Queer Historians 1:09:49 – Fun Segment: Pop Culture Tie-In 1:12:45 – How Gay were They? 1:17:10 – Closing and Where to Find us Online Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on Patreon and get

In this episode, Gretchen and Leigh talk about Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist best known for her many self-portraits and for works inspired by nature and the culture and artifacts of Mexico. She may be known for her unibrow, but that’s far from the most important aspect of her art or her story or her art. In keeping with her self-exploration of identity in her paintings, we’re going to explore one of the things least well known about her: that she had relationships with men and women! That’s right, this famous postcolonial, multiracial, disabled artist was bisexual! Outline 0:00 – Introduction 5:56 – Main Topic: Frida Kahlo 6:02 – Socio-Historical and Religious Context 16:45 – Who were they? Bio Time. 55:52 – Why do we think they're gay? 1:15:25 – Fun Segment: Pop Culture Tie-In 1:16:27 – How Gay were They? 1:24:49 – Closing and Where to Find us Online Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on Patreon and get awesome goodies, behind-the-scenes access, special minisodes, and more! Also, patrons w

Welcome to our first Letters & Queeries minisode, where we hear from our listeners and share stories! In this inaugural bonus, we're sharing with you the fabulous haunting calling cards of several History is Gay listener ghosts. We also have an announcement regarding a schedule change for regular History is Gay episodes.  Submission to Letters & Queeries episodes is exclusive perks for our $10 and above Patreon supporters!  Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on Patreon and get awesome goodies, behind-the-scenes access, special minisodes, and more! Also now you can get super cool merch in our store! Shirts, hoodies, totes, and more! Get your loved ones some cool queer swag for the holigays. Find our full list of sources and bonus content at www.historyisgaypodcast.com. Get at us on twitter @historyisgaypod, tumblr at historyisgaypodcast, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Don't forget to rate and review so more folks can see the show!

We’ve got a special episode for you this time, gayvenclaws! Gretchen is taking care of a family medical emergency, so join Leigh and special guest Hayden Smith as they discuss the famous WWI soldier Siegfried Sassoon. A writer, poet, and novelist known for his anti-jingoist, anti-war poetry, Sassoon was willing to showcase the horrors of the trenches for foot soldiers. It’s a tale of love, loss, grief, anger, and healing as we dig into this fascinating fellow and his prolific poetry!Outline 0:00 – Introduction4:43 – Main Topic: Anti-War Poet Siegfried Sassoon6:31 – Socio-Historical Context: the United Kingdom, 1900-193016:51 – Socio-Historical Context: WWI and Homosexuality20:17 – Socio-Historical Context: Changing Masculinity29:51 – Who were they? Bio Time. 46:46 – Why do we think they're gay?1:15:37 – Pop Culture Tie-In1:16:51 – How Gay were They?1:21:28 – Closing and Where to Find us Online You can find guest host Hayden Smith’s work online on his blog, SealedInInk.com, or check him out on instagram at aft

What would an exploration of the Wilde family be without taking a closer look at Oscar Wilde’s ‘virulently lesbian’ niece Dolly Wilde? Gretchen and Leigh take you on a journey to learn more about this elusive personality. Unlike her uncle, Dolly left little written work behind and is best known from her letters and from what other people have to say about her. Come join the ouroboros of gay that is the Sapphic ‘sewing circle’ of 1920s Hollywood and Paris. Outline 0:00 – Introduction 5:02 – Main Topic: Dolly Wilde 5:23 – Socio-Historical Context: Paris and London in the 1920s 10:20 – Who were they? Bio Time.  48:53 – Why do we think they're gay? 58:50 – Fun Segment: Word of the Week 1:26:21 – How Gay were They? 1:28:44 – Closing and Where to Find us Online Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on Patreon and get awesome goodies, behind-the-scenes access, special minisodes, and more! Also now you can get super cool merch in our store! Shirts, hoodies, totes, and more! Find our full list of sourc

Hello again, guys, gals and ghouls, and welcome to a fun Halloween minisode! This week, Leigh & Gretchen bring you an interview with our second Queer Ghost Hunter of the month, Shane McLelland! Shane is one of the co-founders of the Stonewall Columbus Queer Ghost Hunters group, and he had lots to say about the paranormal, queer entities, and his favorite spooky stories growing up.  You can learn more about their work at www.queerghosthunters.com! Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on Patreon and get awesome goodies, behind-the-scenes access, special minisodes, and more! Also now you can get super cool merch in our store! Shirts, hoodies, totes, and more! New merch coming November 1, just in time for holiday shopping! Get at us on twitter @historyisgaypod, tumblr at historyisgaypodcast, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Don't forget to rate and review so more folks can see the show!

In honor of his 164th birthday, Leigh and Gretchen talk about the life and times of Oscar Wilde with special guest K. W. Moore from the blog “A Scholar of No Importance.” Wilde’s unwillingness to conform to Victorian sensibilities regarding keeping his private life private and the famous trials that resulted from it changed the shape of Western discussions of sexuality thereafter. His writing, too has left its mark both on the world, and on all three of our hosts this episode. So come join us as we pay homage to the Wilde man himself, the man who sought to live up to his blue china and worried he might fall short. Outline 0:00 – Introduction 5:30 – Socio-Historical Context: 19th Century England, Male-Male Intimacy, and the Criminal Amendment Act of 1885 15:11 – Who were They/Why Do We Think They’re Gay: The Early Life, Loves, and Scandals of Oscar Wilde 20:50 – Fun Segment: Word of the Week 41:03 - 43:17 – Content Warning for mentions of child abuse & suicide 46:45- 51:12– Content Warning: Discussion rega

  Happy Halloween everybody! As good Halloween gays, Leigh and Gretchen bring you a special, spoopy episode for Halloween. In the first half, they bring tales of gay and lesbian ghosts and lavender apparitions of all kinds, though of the kindly and perhaps a bit cheeky variety rather than bloody or scary. For the second half, they interview Joe Applebaum, one of the producers of Queer Ghost Hunters, a paranormal investigation series on YouTube focused on finding and talking to queer ghosts. So grab your bucket of candy and get ready for some spoopy fun on History is Gay!Outline0:00 – Introduction 6:41– Socio-Historic Context: Spiritualism 11:23 – Lavender Apparitions and Queer Ghosts 45:16 – Leigh and Gretchen Plan Their Hauntings 52:23 – Fun Segment: Pop Culture Tie-In 54:47 – How Gay were They? 56:31 – Interview with Joe Applebaum of Queer Ghost Hunters 1:44:47 – Closing and Where to Find us Online Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on Patreon and get awesome goodies, behind-the-scenes ac

Way back in the first episode, Leigh and Gretchen formed a historical ‘murder wives’ ship starting with Anne Bonny; in this episode, they take a closer look at murder wife #2: Lizzie Borden! That’s right folks, she too may very well have had a thing for the ladies as well as possibly murdering her father and stepmother. Just how queer was she? Did she have an affair with her maid and her stepmother caught them? Why was she acquitted and what was society like for a single, Victorian woman? Find out on this week’s History is Gay!  Outline 0:00 – Introduction 3:30 – Content Warnings 5:07 – Historical Context: 19th Century Victorian Society 21:57 – Who Were They? Bio Time 30:55-31:56 – Content Warning Break: Mention of Incest 35:34 – Motives, The Murders, and Trial 58:24 – Why Do We Think They’re Gay? 1:07:10 – Fun Segment: Word of the Week: Spinsters 1:13:55 – Fun Segment: Pop Culture Tie-In 1:16:34 – How Gay were They? 1:20:32 – Closing and Where to Find Us Online Want to help us continue to make the show? Sup

Leigh and Gretchen have a special History is Gay treat for you this Labor Day. Join them as they discuss the history of the labor movement as it relates to the struggle for queer civil rights in America. You may not know, but the labor and LGBTQ+ movements have been allies for a long time. Just how far back does the partnership go? Listen and find out! Learn about Jewish lesbian feminists fighting for better workplace conditions during WWI, the mostly-queer marine cooks union in the 30s and 40s, lesbian bus drivers’ unions, the Coors boycott, and more. We end with a discussion of what needs to be done and Gretchen may or may not end up on a soapbox. Happy Labor Gay! Outline 0:00 – Introduction 1:13 – Corrections Corner: Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum 6:50 – Main Topic: The Labor Struggle is Real Queer 25:04-31:47 – Fun Segment: Words of the Week 1:13:24 – Takeaways 1:19:20 – Fun Segment: Pop Culture Tie-In 1:19:45 – How Gay were They? 1:21:01 – Closing and Where to Find us Online Want to help us continue to mak

Gretchen and Leigh are pleased to announce their very first special guest to History is Gay, Dan Arndt of Write to Survive Podcast and The Fandomentals, to talk about Virginia Woolf and Vita-Sackville-West. This episode has everything: modernism, gay love letters, dramatic queers, queers with mommy issues, and a truly cinematic adventures. Join us for Part 1 of an ongoing series. 2:05 – Introduction 5:40– Socio-Historical Context: Modernism 15:20– A Note About Language: The Terms Lesbian and Bisexual 19:15– Who were they and why do we think they're gay? 21:23 – 22:08 CONTENT WARNING: Mention of childhood sexual abuse 1:08:39– Fun Segment: Word of the Week: Oysters 1:20:15–1:20:47 CONTENT WARNING: Mention of suicide 1:22:10– Fun Segment: Pop Culture Tie-In 1:25:08– How Gay were They? 1:29:30– Closing and Where to Find us Online   Want to listen to Leigh guest on the Ignorance Conscious podcast for their LGBTQAAIP+ Media Representation Panel? Go for it! Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on

Welcome to our very first extra special collaboration! Joining Leigh and Gretchen this episode are our friends over at Queer as Fact, a queer history podcast from Australia. Our topic of choice? Queer slang! Join us as we discuss lavender linguistics, the history of queer slang in Australian penal colonies, and our favorite slang words, both American and Australian! So brush off your oysters, pitch your tents for camp, sharpen up your Gillette blades, and let’s have a kiki with Queer as Fact! Outline 0:00 – Introduction 09:14 – Historical Background: Lavender Linguistics 28:48 – Historical Background: History of Queer Slang in Australia 52:35 – Our Favorite Slang: America vs Australia 1:36:56 – Closing and Where to Find us Online Queer as Fact can be found on Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook, and you can listen to them on your podcatcher app of choice! Want to help us continue to make the show? Support us on Patreon and get awesome goodies, behind-the-scenes access, special minisodes, and more! Find our full li

Instead of a regular episode this week, Leigh & Gretchen treat you to a very special sneak peek into Sappho's Salon, an exclusive place where the sighs, yearnings, tragedies, and triumphs of queer love are brought to life. If you enjoyed this minisode and would like more of these queer readings, keep an eye out for our upcoming Patreon launch and consider becoming a patron to get all the secret goodies and behind-the-scenes glimpses we're excited to bring you from History is Gay! Find our full list of sources and bonus content at www.historyisgaypodcast.com. Get at us on twitter @historyisgaypod, tumblr at historyisgaypodcast, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Don't forget to rate and review so more folks can see the show!

Leigh and Gretchen welcome you to their first Pride month special and the first of an ongoing series on Queer civil rights movements in the United States. And what better way to do both than to dive into the lives of Gilbert Baker---the maker of the first rainbow pride flag---and Brenda Howard---one of the primary organizers of the first Pride march commemorating the Stonewall riots and Pride week. Pride is a special month for those of us in the queer community, so we wanted to celebrate our forefathers and foremothers that make this month possible. So, without further ado, let's chat about the Mother of Pride and the Gay Betsy Ross! Outline 0:00 – Introduction 2:56 – Content Warnings 6:35 – Historical Context: Brief Discussion of the Stonewall Riots and Aftermath 22:10 – Brenda Howard: Mother of Pride 41:25 – Gilbert Baker: Creator of the LGBT+ Rainbow Flag 1:06:01 – Fun Segment: Pop Culture Tie-In 1:09:06 – How Gay were They? 1:11:35– Closing and Where to Find Us Online Find our full list of sources and bon

In this episode, co-hosts Gretchen and Leigh will take you on a tour of medieval Arabo-Islamic erotic literature and the many delightful descriptions of queer female experience it contains. Remember way back in episode two when ‘thigh fencing’ came up? Well, that and other martial imagery for wlw sexual experience come from medieval Arabo-Islamic poetry! Like shield banging, jousting without a lance, or our new favorite---the saffron massage. Plus, we’ll dive into cross-dressing heroines, the music of love (moaning), and the first lesbian couple, Hind and al-Zarqa’! Outline 0:00 – Introduction 5:57 – Historical Context: Medieval Arabic Erotic Tradition More Generally 25:52 – Historical Context: Arabic Literature and Western Courtly Love Poetry 36:11 – Fun Segment: Word of the Week 42:38 – Tribadism and Queer Lady Love in Arabo-Islamic Writing 1:03:17 – Tales of Cross-Dressing and Same-Sex Marriage 1:16:10 – People Examples 1:24:41 – Takeaways 1:30:25 – How Gay were They? 1:33:18 – Closing and Where to Find Us

Leigh & Gretchen are bringing you a special bonus episode this week! Wow, three whole episodes in a month, Happy Pride! In this bonus, Leigh sits down with Robert Philipson, producer and director of the documentary T’Aint Nobody’s Bizness: Queer Blues Divas of the 1920s, which we discussed in our episode Bulldaggers and Lady Lovers, about his process, the importance of telling queer stories and excavating lost history, his upcoming documentary project Mood Lavender which sheds light on more queers in the Harlem Renaissance, and maybe even a little sneaky surprise for you all. Want to find more info on Robert and his work? Go to www.shogafilms.com or follow on twitter @ShogaFilms or like the Shoga Films facebook page! Want to see Robert’s short film Congo Cabaret at the San Francisco Black Film Festival this Sunday, June 17? Purchase tickets at www.sfbff.org. Find our full list of sources and bonus content at www.historyisgaypodcast.com. Get at us on twitter @historyisgaypod, tumblr at historyisgaypodcast,

As you know, we're not a fan of Nazis. In part two of our (what will very likely be ongoing) series on badass Nazi-fighting queer anti-fascists we discuss the genderqueer, surrealist artist and Nazi resistance fighter Claude Cahun! Teen love to stepsisters to lifelong partners in art and resistance? Lovers literally saving each others lives more than once? Taking a break from sunbathing and walking their cat on a leash in middle age to spread anti-fascist propaganda and lower morale among the invading German forces? Gender is a performance, what? Classic Claude Cahun (and Marcel Moore)! So say it with us again, "Nazi punks, fuck off" this time with surrealism.   Outline0:00 – Introduction2:19 – Content Warnings4:05 – Historical Context: Dreyfus Affair and 'New Women' in France9:13 – Who Were They? Bio Time23:22-28:32 – Fun Segment: Word of the Week1:00:14 – Why Do We Think They're Gay?1:17:51 – Pop Culture Tie In1:19:01 – How Gay Were They?1:24:57 – Closing and Where to Find us Online Find our full list of s