Queer as Fact

Qiu Miaojin

In today's episode we discuss Qiu Miaojin, a well-known Taiwanese lesbian writer. We've got details about Taiwanese lesbian gender identities, an experimental queer literary movement, and a very lovable crocodile.

Check out our website, where you can find out 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 Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.

[Image description: a photo of Qiu Miaojin, an ethnically Chinese person in thin-rimmed glasses, a dark blue coat, and a short, masculine hairstyle.]

The Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands

On this week's podcast, we're talking about the queer micronation, the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands. Join us to hear about the joys and tribulations of founding a country, the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom's war with Australia, and of course, the Royal Dog.

Check out our website, where you can find out 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 Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.

[Image description: A sign on a beach which reads “Welcome to Heaven, Cato Island Post Code 0000, Capital of the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom, www.gayandlesbiankingdom.com” draped with a rainbow flag, next to a post box labelled “Royal Gay Mail”]

Saint Brigid

This week's episode is on the 5th-century Irish abbess Saint Brigid. Join us to hear about a miraculous abortion, powerful women in the Catholic Church, and a flying priest.

Transcript available here

Check out our website, where you can find out 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 Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.

[Image: stained glass window of St Brigid holding a lamp]

Our Flag Means Death

In today's Queer as Fiction episode, we follow up our previous episode on historical piracy with a discussion about David Jenkins' 2022 pirate comedy Our Flag Means Death.

Join us as we explore the historical figures of Major Stede Bonnet and Captain Edward "Blackbeard" Teach, discuss the evolution of pirate tropes and how they became associated with queerness, and revel in the multifaceted ways OFMD depicts its predominately queer characters.

Check out our website, where you can find out 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 Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.

[Image Description: The poster for Season 1 of Our Flag Means Death, featuring the main cast of rough looking pirates with Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet in the centre, saluting and dressed fancily].

Queerness in the Golden Age of Piracy

Avast me hearties! This week's episode is about queerness during the Golden Age of Piracy. Join us to hear about the raging party culture of pirate ships, Eli and Jason getting gay pirate married, and our treasure hunt for evidence on the stormy seas of historical documents.

Check out our website, where you can find out 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 Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.

[Image description: a engraving of pirate captain Bartholomew Roberts holding a sword aloft in front of a pirate ship in a bay]

The Lost Archive of Frida Kahlo

Today we'll be talking about a recently discovered and possibly fraudulent archive of Frida's paintings, letters and possessions. Join us to hear about how to authenticate an artwork, Chavela Vargas' smoking gun, and 200 entire dogs.

This episode was originally released on our Patreon as a bonus episode. The episode we intended to release today, on queerness in the Golden Age of Piracy has been delayed and will hopefully be released on August 15th. 

Check out our website, where you can find out 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 Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.

[Image description: one of the cases allegedly owned by Frida Kahlo, containing various papers, with two small portraits of Frida in front of it.] 

Abu Nuwas

This week on Queer as Fact, we're talking about the 8th-century Arabic poet Abu Nuwas. Join us to hear about wine poetry, sexuality in the Abbasid caliphate, and fun facts about cheetahs.

Transcript available here

Check out our website, where you can find out 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 Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.

[Image: sketch of Abu Nuwas drawn by Khalil Gibran in 1916]

The Captive

Today’s episode of Queer as Fiction, as chosen by our patrons, is on the 1926 play “The Captive”. Join us as we discuss the sale of violets, the padlocking of theatres and the diverse ways a story can be interpreted by audiences and critics.

Thank you to our Patrons for voting on this episode!

Check out our website, where you can find out 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 Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.

[Image description: A black and white photo of a theatre production of the Captive. Basil Rathbone and Helen Menken as Irene and Jacques face each other on lounge furniture.]

Lucy Hicks Anderson

This week we're talking about the early 20th century American cook, socialite and transgender woman Lucy Hicks Anderson. Join us to hear about Lucy's determination to live authentically in the face of repeated court cases, the enduring love and respect shown to her by her community, and the greatest dinner rolls ever made.

Check out our website, where you can find out 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 Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.

[Image description: Black and white photo of Lucy Hicks Anderson, a middle-aged African American woman. She is facing the camera and wearing a large hat and a pale jacket.]

Ewan Forbes

Join us for the first episode of Season 9 as we discuss the life and trial of 20th century Scottish aristocrat and farmer Dr Ewan Forbes. We'll be talking about how to transition in rural mid-20th century Scotland, an impressively bold legal defense strategy, and the perils of keeping lion cubs in your family home.

Check out our website, where you can find out 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 Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.

[Image: Photo of Ewan Forbes from 1952; he is a middle-aged man in a checked three-piece suit, smiling and talking to someone out of frame.]