Historical Homos Disney's Hercules: A Very Gay Close Reading (feat. Liv Albert)
Why is Disney's Hercules one of the greatest LGBTQ+ films ever made?
This episode attempts to answer that fraught and necessary question.
As you may know, Hercules (1997) is a story about a small-town girl who goes to the big city to discover himself, become famous, land a few sponsorship deals, and build a chosen family in an imperfect world.
It's like All About Eve but with much, much better music. (Though Hades and Bette Davis look uncannily alike, I'll admit.)
Hercules was the first anatomically male Disney princess to grace the silver screen – and this innovation changed the lives of every gay boy and girl born between 1987 and 1997.
The fact that it has some of the sharpest writing of the Disney Renaissance – and deeply layered mythological references – did not escape our notice either.
Which is why Bash and his honoured guest, Liv Albert (Let's Talk About Myths, Baby!) have embarked on a heroic quest to explore:
- 🏺 the queer origins of the original Greek hero, Herakles
- 🏺 a VERY close queer reading of the Disney film
- 🏺 Hades' camp, power-hungry effeminacy
- 🏺 Meg's BFH (Big Fag Hag) energy
- 🏺 Hercules' NYC twink to WeHo twunk story arc
By the end of it all you will find out that, honey, we did indeed mean HUNKULES.
So come on in and don't be shy! The water is...human temperature.
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Episode Credits
Written and hosted by Bash
Edited by Alex Toskas
Produced by Dani Henion
Guest: Liv Albert