These Old Queers
These Old Queers is a podcast hosted by Megan and Thomas, two middle-aged, self-identified queer people. In each episode they explore historical events and figures from queer history. They also discuss what it means to age within the LGBTQIA+ community, blending historical research with personal reflection.
Episodes
Episode 12: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
In this episode, Thomas takes us through an iconic piece of queer culture: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” We discuss what the movie is about, when it was made, why it’s so highly controversial, and what it means to us and the wider queer community.Come join as as we also talk about Dolly Parton’s shameful connection to Thomas’s family (the shameful bit is on his family's side, obviously), an
Episode 11: The Chevalier d'Éon
In a very special, very FRANCH episode, Thomas and Megan are joined by Megan's wife Elise in their first collaboratively written and researched episode on the life and times of The Chevalier d'Éon: a French diplomat and spy, who - assigned male at birth - openly lived as a woman for the latter part of their life. Since this episode deals with some very French words, Megan's very French
Episode 10: Elizabeth Carmichael
In this episode, Thomas regales us with the incredible story of trans woman, mother, and fugitive, Elizabeth Carmichael. Was she a fraudster? Did she get a fair trial? What is the link between her story and the challenges faced by the trans community today? Stay tuned for a discussion of all those questions, as well as The Price is Right and Unsolved Mysteries. Check us out across the web!websitep
Episode 9: General von Steuben and the American Revolution
In this special Fourth of the July episode, Thomas tells us about the larger than life character of General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, who was a key figure in the American War of Independence. The questions are: was he queer, and what kind of evidence should we demand? Thomas takes us through the available evidence, and talks about the double standards in historical research when it comes to q
Episode 8: Interview with Michael Rashid - Development Manager of the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives
In the last episode, Megan shared the lives of Pearl M. Hart and Henry Gerber - two pioneers of queer rights in the US, both with local ties to Chicago, Illinois.Now, in their very*first*interview, Megan and Thomas meet up with Michael Rashid, the Development Manager for the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives as it celebrates its 45th year to learn about the Midwest's largest circulating library
Episode 7: Henry Gerber & Pearl M. Hart
In this episode, Megan shares the stories of Henry Gerber and Pearl M. Hart - two queer Chicagoans from immigrant, working class backgrounds whose work shaped not just queer rights in the Midwest, but throughout the country. also mentioned, "seances and other strange behavior"...Check us out across the web! websitepixelfedbsky
Episode 6: Gender Bending in Ancient Rome: The Special Case of Elagabalus
In the second of this two-part special on Ancient Rome, Thomas takes us through the current state of research on gender bending in the Ancient Roman world. We then quickly dive into the controversial case of the young Emperor Elagabalus. What do the primary sources actually say, and what might they actually tell us about Roman attitudes towards gender boundaries and boundary crossers? Check us out
Episode 5: "Homosexuality” in Ancient Rome: The Special Case of Hadrian and Antinous
In the first of this two-part episode, Thomas takes us through how “homosexuality” – or rather, same sex erotic experiences – were conceptualized in the weird world of Ancient Rome. We then discuss the particular case of the relationship between the Emperor Hadrian and his purported lover, Antinous. What do the primary sources actually say, what is implied, and what might it mean to us now? Conten
Episode 4: The Life and Times of Anita Berber
Megan takes us on a ride through the life of Anita Berber: Weimar Germany's Priestess of Depravity. Dancer and legendary bisexual bad girl, Anita was the first true star of her era and her short life was shocking even for hedonistic Berlin of the 1920s. Content Warning:MAJOR warning for underage grooming, inappropriate adult/child relationships, animal mistreatment, drug use, violence. Please take
Episode 3: Gladys Bentley
In this episode, Thomas tells us about the life of Black, lesbian blues singer, pianist and entertainer: Gladys Bentley. A star of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s, Bentley seemed in every way someone living their life on their terms. Until, that is, her star power began to dim and Bentley began to doubt her identity. Content Warning:This episode contains discussion of medical abuse a
Episode 2: Fanny and Stella Part 2
In this second part of our two part story about the lives of AMAB femmes, Fanny and Stella, we dive into the trial that shocked Victorian England, its outcome, and what became of the bold Stella and Fanny in the remainder of their lives. Check us out across the web! websitepixelfedbskyinstapatreonSources:Boyd, Jason. Who’s Who in Gay and Lesbia
Episode 1: Fanny and Stella Part 1
In the first episode of our second season, Megan shares the story of Fanny and Stella: two gender non-conforming young people from Victorian England who presented female (and sometimes male) while carousing the exciting streets of 1860s/70s London. That is, until their antics got them in hot water with the law in what would be one of the most significant trials in British queer history. In this fi
Episode 20: Colonel Barker
In this episode, Thomas takes us through the life and times of convicted swindler, Victor Barker. From his time in Holloway Prison to the sideshows of Blackpool and beyond, Barker insisted on maintaining a male identity throughout his adultlife despite often being described as a cross-dresser. This early-twentieth century trans-man was not an admirable character, but he was definitely an interesti
Episode 19: The Pansy Craze
In this episode, Megan talks about The Pansy Craze - a period of increased LGBT visibility in popular culture from the late 1920s until the mid-1930s, that came to an end following the Great Depression, The Hays Code and the rise of World War Two. During the "craze," drag queens, drag kings, masculine women and femme queer men — known as "pansy performers" — experienced a surge
Episode 18: Bog Bodies
In this episode, Thomas talks about the discovery, investigation, and historiography of the “Weerdinge Couple” bog bodies. Check us out across the web! websitepixelfedbskyinstapatreonSources:Music: Harry Macdonough and the Orpheus Quartet, “Pretty Baby,” written by Egbert Van Alstyne, Tony Jackson and Gus Kahn. 1916. The Library of Congress. Aerts-Bijma, A.T., W
Episode 17: Queer Kansas City
In this episode, Megan shares the secret-not-so-secret queer history of their hometown, Kansas City. Whether on the Missouri or the Kansas side, you might be quite surprised at just how much queer history can be found in this mid-size Midwestern city in what a lot of people consider a "flyover state." Check us out across the web! websitepixelfedbskyinstapatreonIf you
Episode 16: Two-Spirit Identities
In this episode, Thomas discusses the history and complexity of Two-Spirit identities. Check us out across the web! websitepixelfedbskyinstapatreonIf you're into what we do, please share/like/subscribe/contact us and share! It really helps us out. Sources:Chrystos. Not Vanishing. Vancouver: Press Gang Publishing, 1988. Driskill, Qwo-Li. Asegi Stories. CherokeeQueer and Two Spirit Memo
Episode 15: Blood Sisters
In this episode, Megan shares the stories of lesbian action during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s, as well as her own experience growing up in the shadow of AIDS.CW: this episode mentions homophobia as well as death and dying of AIDS, please take care while listeningCheck us out across the web! websitepixelfedbskyinstapatreonIf you're into what we do, please share/like/subscribe/contac
Episode 14: Ewan Forbes
Did you know that many of the rules against trans gender markers come from an infamous legal battle involving a trans Scottish nobleman, Sir Ewan Forbes, 11th Baronet , general practitioner and expert in Scottish heritage? Learn all about one of the most significant court cases that led us to where we are today when it comes to changing to a chosen name or legal name change. CW: This episode menti
Episode 13: Leopold & Loeb Part 3
In the final episode of our three part deep-dive into thrill killers, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb we learn about their lives in prison and beyond.CW: this series includes mention of violence, murder, rape and other things listeners may find disturbing. Please take care while listening.Sources:Baatz, Simon. For the Thrill of It: Leopold, Loeb and the Murder That Shocked Chicago. HarperCollins.
Episode 12: Leopold & Loeb Part 2
In Part Two of our 3 part episode about teenage thrill killers, Leopold and Loeb, Megan and Thomas discuss the bonkers trial for what would become known as the "crime of the century." CW: this series includes mention of violence, murder, rape, child molestation, child murder and other things listeners may find disturbing. Please take care while listening.Sources:Baatz, Simon. For the Thr
Episode 11: Leopold & Loeb Part 1
In this 3 part episode, Megan shares the story of notorious 1920s thrill killer couple: Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb.Part One looks into the childhoods and backgrounds of Leopold and Loeb, as well as the events leading up to what would become known as the "crime of the century." CW: this series includes mention of violence, murder, rape, child molestation, child murder and other things listener
Episode 10: The Public Universal Friend
Thomas tells us about young Quaker woman, Jemima Wilkinson, who after a grave illness was reborn as the genderless, spiritual being the Public Universal Friend. Sources:Cleveland, Stafford. History and directory of Yates County [...] and a narrative of the Public Universal Friend, her society and doctrine. Pen Yan, New York: S. C. Cleveland, 1873. Gordon, Colby. Interview on "Gender Reveal," Octob
Episode 9: Marcel Moore & Claude Cahun: Surrealist Antifa Revolutionaries!
Megan shares the story of artists, activist antifa couple: Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore.Here's hoping in these dark, despotic times their story of courage and radical activism can inspire us moving forward.CW: anorexia, suicideSources:2018 novel, Never Anyone But You, RupertThomsonhttps://www.huckmag.com/article/claude-cahun-jerseys-queer-anti-nazi-freedom-fighterhttps://greyartmuseum.nyu.edu/201
Episode 8: The Death and Life of Robert Eads
In this episode, Thomas tells the infuriating saga of the withholding of medical care - or rather, murder - of transman, Robert Eads.
CW: this episode deals with topics related to accessible healthcare/preventative healthcare of trans people which some might find upsetting. Please take care while listening.
Sources:
Kate Davis. "Southern Comfort." 2001. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0L3wlV
Episode 7: The Ladies of Llangollen
Megan shares the story of Eleanor Butler (1739–1829) and Sarah Ponsonby (1755–1831) - known as the Ladies of Llangollen: an intrepid Irish lesbian couple who eloped to Wales to live their truth...and to invent lesbogothcottagecore. Because #lesbiansinventedeverything
Sources:
To the Lady E.B. and the Hon. Miss P, link:
http://l-adam-mekler.com/ww_ladies.pdf
Poem of the Week: Anna Seward’s ‘Llan
Episode 6: Magnus Hirschfeld and the Institute for Sexual Research
Thomas tells us about pioneering German sexologist, Magnus Hirschfeld and the Institute for Sexual Research during the height of the Weimar Republic and through to its destruction by the Nazis.
Sources:
Karl M. Baer. Memoirs of a Man's Maiden Years. University of Pennsylvania Press: 2009. (Original German edition published in 1907, author's name given as N.O. Body).Heike Bauer. The Hirs
Episode 5: Queer Ancient Egypt
Fresh from their travels in Egypt, Megan talks to us about queer aspects of ancient Egypt that prove that queer folx have been around for quite a long time...despite attempts to water down and suppress expressions of queer longing by some homophobic historians and archeologists.
Episode 4: Libertine Smut
Thomas takes us through the world of 17th and 18th century smut...which curiously features a wealth of lesbian pornography.
Sources:
The School of Venus, or the Ladies Delight, Reduced into Rules of Practice (Orig. L'Ecole des filles, ou la Philosophie des dames, attributed to Michel Millot and Jean L'Ange 1650.)
The School of Women (Orig. Aloisiae Sigae Toletanae Satyra sotadica de arc
Episode 3: The UpStairs Lounge Arson Attack
Megan tells the heart-wrenching story of the fire of a neighborhood bar in 1973 that ripped through the local LBGTQIA+ community, and became the catalyst for the gay rights movement in New Orleans, Louisiana.
*Content Warning*
This episode involves the use of anti-gay slurs, as well as content that might be difficult to listen to. Please take care while listening.
Sources:
Fieseler, Robert
Episode 2: Compton's Cafeteria riot
Thomas tells us about a lesser-known queer uprising that happened in 1966 at an all night diner in San Francisco, California.
Sources:
Stryker, Susan. Transgender History. New York City: Seal Press, 2008. (Revised edition, 2017).
Silverman, Victor and Susan Stryker, dirs. "Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria." 2005. Personna, Donna, Victor Silverman, Susan Stryker,
Episode 1: Welcome to These Old Queers
Thomas and Megan introduce themselves, discuss their queer coming-of-age experiences and why they identify as queer. In These Old Queers, they discuss queer history, identity and aging as queer people.
image: Thomas Donald Jacobs
https://www.bugsnart.com/
music: Harry Macdonough and the Orpheus Quartet - 'Pretty Baby' (1916) - Written by Egbert Van Alstyne, Tony Jackson and Gus Kahn - L
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