

ENCORE: Secret City with James Kirchick
Feb 27, 2025
James Kirchick, an author and columnist, discusses his book 'Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington.' He delves into how gay history intertwines with political events in D.C., especially during the Cold War. Kirchick reveals the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, including the Lavender Scare and political tensions during Reagan’s era. He highlights the dangers of societal taboos and the prejudices that shaped narratives, while sharing insights on the emotional journey of writing about these hidden histories.
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6
Intro
00:00 • 5min
Unveiling Hidden Histories: The Intersection of Gay Rights and American Politics
04:32 • 5min
Political Tensions and LGBTQ+ History in Cold War D.C.
09:23 • 29min
Reagan, Politics, and the Gay Community
38:37 • 13min
Navigating the Challenges of Writing Narrative History
51:45 • 3min
Exploring Missed Opportunities and Future Projects
54:35 • 2min