Making Gay History | LGBTQ Oral Histories from the Archive

Lucy Hicks Anderson, a Black Trans pioneer, defied societal expectations and faced prosecution in a Kentucky courtroom. Her culinary skills, supportive mother, and transition from running a speakeasy to hosting lavish parties are highlighted. Despite discrimination and erasure, Lucy's resilience inspires the need to preserve LGBTQ+ narratives and recognize trans pioneers in women's history.

Listen to a special Valentine's Day episode featuring the complicated love story between two LGBTQ movement activists, including their initial encounter, lavish dates, and cultural experiences. Explore the aftermath of their breakup and the emotional toll it took. Discover how a life-altering event changed their lives and led them to activism. Learn about the contributions of Harvey Milk and Craig Rodwell to LGBTQ history and the power of love in their lives.

When Kathleen Boatwright fell in love with a woman at church, she fell hard. But this was no carefree romance. The church was staunchly anti-gay. Kathleen was married to a man and had four children. She’d never had a relationship with a woman. As she told Eric in 1989, it was “Pentecostal hysteria.”Visit our episode webpage for background information, archival photos, and other resources, as well as a transcript of the episode.For exclusive Making Gay History bonus content, join our Patreon community.——— To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1980, conservative congressman Robert Bauman was caught soliciting sex from a 16-year-old boy. The scandal landed the married father of four on the front page of newspapers across the country. It spelled the end of his political career—and the start of a years-long journey toward self-acceptance.Visit our episode webpage for background information, archival photos, and other resources, as well as a transcript of the episode.For exclusive Making Gay History bonus content, join our Patreon community.——— To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Urvashi Vaid, an Indian-born activist and lawyer, discusses her experiences growing up in India and the challenges she faced as an outsider. She also talks about the treatment of lesbians within the women's movement and the role of reproductive rights in the LGBTQ community. The episode sheds light on the life and legacy of Ervish Yevad, highlighting her influential work as the executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force.

Faygele Ben-Miriam, an LGBTQ rights activist and early same-sex marriage lawsuit plaintiff, discusses his experiences in activism during the 60s, growing up in Levitown, coming out in the 1960s, serving openly in the military, and his successful lawsuit against the US Civil Service Commission.

Rev. Carolyn Mobley-Bowie grew up in the segregated South and found refuge in the Metropolitan Community Church. Topics discussed include her childhood in a segregated town, her attraction to girls, her encounter with racial discrimination, grappling with her sexuality as a teenager, and her accomplishments and contributions as a pastor and LGBTQ activist.

Craig Rodwell, an influential LGBTQ rights activist, shares his experiences growing up in a restrictive boarding school, his arrest at 14 years old for having sex with a man, exploring Chicago's gay cruising scene in the 1950s, encountering police harassment, their sentencing and experiences during probation, and the consequences of his arrest including his companion's prison sentence and his own guilt and desire to make up for what happened.

The podcast explores stories of LGBTQ history makers, including a pioneer challenging discriminatory laws, individuals working towards liberation, and the freedom and experimentation of being gay.

Malcolm Gladwell interviews the executive producers of 'Will and Grace' to discuss how the show changed public perception of homosexuals. They explore the creation of the show, the evolution of television, and the impact of 'Will and Grace' on public opinion regarding gay marriage.