American Hysteria

Context Clues: Long Live the Queens

Aug 21, 2023
This podcast episode provides historical context on the relationship between female impersonation and American masculinity. It explores the evolution of gender signifiers, the commodification of baby gender, 3D ultrasounds, drag queens in Vaudeville shows, exploitation and empowerment in trash talk shows, societal anxieties around transgender individuals, and the disturbing actions of Ed Gean. It also teases an upcoming series on early drag queens of America.
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1
Introduction
00:00 • 3min
2
The Evolving Signifiers of Gender and Clothing
03:08 • 7min
3
The Evolution of Baby Gender and the Commodification of Identity
10:24 • 3min
4
3D Ultrasounds, Fetus Imaging Studios, and Divination Practices
13:13 • 4min
5
Drag Queens and Female Impersonators in Vaudeville Shows
17:19 • 3min
6
Exploitation and Empowerment in Freak and Trash Talk Shows
19:54 • 13min
7
Gender Non-Conformity, Jerry Springer, and True Crime
32:33 • 5min
8
The Disturbing Actions of Ed Gean: A Gruesome Collection and Troubled Childhood
37:19 • 9min
9
Exploring the Connection Between Ed Gein and Norman Bates in Psycho
46:16 • 4min