Queer as Fact

Lesbia Harford

This episode focuses on Lesbia Harford, an early 20th century Australian woman poet. Lesbia was one of the first female graduates of Melbourne University, a dedicated political activist, and once had someone drink champagne out of her shoe.

Transcript available here.

HIV/AIDS in Australia

Today, on World AIDS Day, we discuss the history of HIV and AIDS in Australia, from its first arrival in 1982 until the present day. In this episode you’ll learn about the infamous Grim Reaper ad campaigns, the tireless battle of queer Australians to help each other in this time, and how the country’s positive response to the epidemic saved the lives of many gay and bisexual men.

Transcript available here.

The Warren Cup

Today's episode focuses on the Warren Cup, a silver cup from the Roman Empire in the 1st century, which has artistic depictions of male/male sex on it. Expect to learn a lot about ancient Greek and Roman sexuality!

Transcript available here!

Shelly's Leg

In today's episode we're talking about Shelly's Leg, Seattle's first openly gay club, which operated from 1973 until 1978. Get prepared for a two-explosion story, including a confetti canon, eight foot tall nude women, and a possible cameo by David Bowie.

Transcript available here

Rosa Bonheur

In this episode, we talk about French artist Rosa Bonheur, one of the most famous female artists of the 19th century. Not only was Rosa so well known for her painting that many American children has "Rosa Bonheur" dolls, during her life she kept pet lions, defended her town from invading Prussians, and received a Legion of Honour from the Empress Eugenie.

Transcript available here.

Henrietta Bingham

In this episode we talk about bisexual jazz age heiress Henrietta Bingham. Although she struggled with depression, anxiety and addiction, as well as the homophobia typical of the period, Henrietta also led a full and exciting life. Her lovers included a world number one tennis player, and members of the Bloomsbury group; she mingled with artists and writers, supported the African-American jazz scene, and at least once, played the saxophone while standing on top of a piano.

Transcript available here.

Josephine Baker

The week of Saturday September 23rd is Bisexual Awareness Week and to celebrate, we’re talking about the life of bisexual performer Josephine Baker! Josephine’s life covers much of the 20th century, beginning as a poor child in the slums of St. Louis and becoming the biggest celebrity of her time. Along the way, she was a World War II spy, a civil rights activist, and the lover of many men and women.

Transcript available here!

Michael Dillon

In today’s episode we talk about Michael Dillon, who in the 1940s became the first trans man to undergo a phalloplasty. Listen to discover how Michael begun his life as a minor British aristocrat, and ended it as the first Englishman to be ordained in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, with interludes as a shipboard doctor, the suitor of a race-car driver, and a suspected spy.

Transcript available here.

Queer women in medieval Arab literature

In this episode, we look at the Quran, 1001 Nights and medieval sex manuals to explore attitudes to queer women in the Middle East, Spain and North Africa from the 9^th century to the 14^th century. Find out about the first lesbians, the correct sounds to make during sex, and how eating celery will turn your children gay.

Transcript available here

The Secret Sex Spreadsheets of John Maynard Keynes

Today's episode is a romp through the Bloomsbury Group guided by John Maynard Keynes, one of the great economists of the 20th century, and his meticulous table of sexual partners from 1901 to 1915. Expect polyamory, top secret telegrams and Russian spies.

Content warnings: This podcast includes discussions of sex, including between adults and minors; and mentions of suicide and murder.

Transcript available here