Queer as Fact

Megillus

Today we're talking about Megillus, a trans-masculine character in the 2nd-century text Dialogues of the Courtesans. Tune in for three separate queer characters, the complexities of discussing transness in the ancient world, and a whole host of mythological examples of ways to be queer.

If you want to listen to the episode on Roman women for some background, you can check it out here. 

If you want to read the dialogue we're discussing, you can find it here. 

Check out our website, where you can find our sources, as well as everything there is to know about Queer as Fact.

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[Image: text in Greek from the Dialogues of the Courtesans, centering on the name 'Megillus'.

Walatta Petros

Today's episode is on the 17th-century nun, saint, and religious leader Walatta Petros. Join us for Queer as Fact's first visit to Ethiopia, as we learn about 17th century religious conflicts; discuss Walatta Petros' lifelong relationship with Eheta Kristos; and wade into scholarly debate on exactly what the nuns in her community were getting up to.

Check out our website, where you can find our sources, as well as everything there is to know about Queer as Fact.

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[Image: Illustration of Walatta Petros, an Ethiopian nun wearing an orange patterned shawl. She is holding a cross, and has a halo above her head. Source.]

Neptune Frost

Today’s episode is on 2021’s Rwandan/American science fiction musical, Neptune Frost. Join us for a discussion of cyberpunk fashion choices, technomagical gender transitions and some of the worst pigeon acting you’ve ever seen. 

Check out our website, where you can find our sources, as well as everything there is to know about Queer as Fact.

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[Image: A poster for the film Neptune Frost, featuring the two words of the title in distinct yet equally fantastical fonts, as well as actors Cheryl Isheja (playing Neptune) and Bertrand "Kaya Free" Ninteretse (playing Matalusa)]

Albert Cashier

Today's episode is on the US Civil War soldier Albert Cashier. Tune in for some heartwarming trans acceptance in the 1910s, a wild genealogy trip, and an unpleasant discovery about how often Civil War soldiers bathed.

Check out our website, where you can find our sources, as well as everything there is to know about Queer as Fact.

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon, checking out our merch, and following us on Instagram, Tumblr and Bluesky.

[Image: Portrait of Albert, a young man in Civil War uniform, c.1864]

John Lempriere Irvine

Today's episode is on the mystery of Australian banker and rower John Lempriere Irvine. Join us to hear about rollerskating balls, rowing drama, and the possibilities of gay life in 19th century Australia.

Check out our website, where you can find our sources, as well as everything there is to know about Queer as Fact.

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[Image: tintype photograph of John, who has large mutton chops and a moustache, from Wayne Murdoch's The Mystery of the Handsome Man: The Double Life of John Lempriere Irvine]

Interview with Lazou from 'Nuances: Our Asian Stories'

Today we're joined by Lazou from Nuances: Our Asian Stories to discuss her series Queering Premodern Asia. Join us as we chat about the complexities of queer history, the importance of non-Western stories, and queer Chinese ghosts.

You can check out Nuances here.

Visit out our website, where you can find everything there is to know about Queer as Fact.

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon, checking out our merch, and following us on Instagram, Tumblr and Bluesky.

Qalonymos ben Qalonymos

Today's episode is on a passage from the work of 14th century French Jewish writer and translator Qalonymos ben Qalonymos. Join us to learn about Qalonymos' life, explore their understandings of gender through a passage from their work the Even Bochan, and discuss its connections to historical and modern Jewish practice.

Check out our website, where you can find our sources, as well as everything there is to know about Queer as Fact.

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[Image: A close-up photo of a Hebrew manuscript; the text is the opening of the passage discussed in the episode, Internet Archive.]

Okuhara Seiko

Today's episode is on the 19th-century Japanese artist Okuhara Seiko. Join us to learn about gender in Japan's Meiji era, an 1860s coming-out party, and getting a doctor's certificate to cut your hair.

Check out our website, where you can find our sources, as well as everything there is to know about Queer as Fact.

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[Image: Black-and-white photograph of Okuhara Seiko, an older Japanese person with short hair, Wikimedia Commons]

Cassandro

Today's episode is on Cassandro, the 2023 biopic of luchador Saúl Armendáriz. Join us as we learn about the history of lucha libre, the growing visibility of queer wrestlers and whether a luchador could become president of Mexico.

Check out our website, where you can find our sources, as well as everything there is to know about Queer as Fact.

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[Image: Actor Gael García Bernal as Cassandro, wearing a long, glittering blue coat, sitting on the ropes of a wrestling ring.]

Nellie Small

We're back! Today's episode is on the Australian singer and male impersonator, Nellie Small. Join us to hear about the experiences of people of colour in 20th-century Australia, Nellie's extensive and stylish suit collection, and an unfortunate reminder that, regardless of your gender presentation, your boss will always try to steal your wages.

Check out our website, where you can find our sources, as well as everything there is to know about Queer as Fact.

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon, checking out our merch, and following us on Instagram, Tumblr and Bluesky.