History Is Gay

As your hosts return to examine the unexplored corners of history to highlight overlooked queer ladies, gents, and gentle-enbies, they bring a conversation about homosexuality in Imperial China. They will discuss the unique tradition of male homosexuality present for over 2500 years, what made it possible, and how tragic it’s loss is for modern China. And don’t worry, even though female homosexuality doesn’t have the same strong literary tradition, there are plenty of delightful stories, and a new ‘word of the week’ related to queer lady experience! Outline 0:00 – Introduction 3:55 – Main Topic: Homosexuality in Imperial China       13:38 – Social Context: Confucianism, Daoism, and Conceptions of Sex       22:46 – Social Context: Different Kinds of Sexual Relationships Between Men       23:41-24:36 - CONTENT WARNING: pederasty mention       30:23– Examples!       1:10:30 - CONTENT WARNING: pederasty mention 1:11:50 – Word of the Week: dui shi (“shared eating”) 1:17:33 – Takeaways 1:20:14 – How gay were they?