Forgotten Queers

On this special episode of Forgotten Queers, we're celebrating the allies who have helped make the world a safer, more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people. I begin by exploring the lives and allyship of Norman Lear, Leonard Nimoy, and Paul McCartney—three people who used their influence, compassion, and voices to stand with our community. Joining me is my wonderful co-host, Sion, who highlights the...

Sir Elton John is one of the most influential musicians in history, selling more than 300 million records and creating timeless hits like Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer, and Your Song. After years of keeping parts of his personal life private, he came out publicly in the late 1980s and has since become a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness through the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Ma...

Ryan Murphy is not a Forgotten Queer but a prolific queer. Sitcoms, to drama to docudrama to horror and let's throw in a musical or two. What is your favorite? We also talk about The Bride! because you know it's cool!! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support . Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must...

Grant Wood best known for the painting American Gothic. While never coming out as gay and several times denying it there is enough proof that I felt he should be profiled. I wish there was more to talk about the guared artist Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support . Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren....

Cassandra Peterson — better known to generations of horror fans as Elvira — is a horror icon, actress, writer, and savvy businesswoman who turned a campy late-night horror host into a decades-long entertainment empire. After early work in music, performance, and comedy (including time with The Groundlings), Peterson launched Elvira in 1981 and transformed the character into a pop culture phenomeno...

John Schlesinger was a groundbreaking British director whose work helped bring queer stories and complicated outsiders into mainstream cinema. Born in 1926, he began as an actor before moving behind the camera, where he directed acclaimed films like Midnight Cowboy, Sunday Bloody Sunday, and Marathon Man. Openly gay within the industry at a time when many were forced to hide, Schlesinger often exp...

Dan Levy  This week on Forgotten Queers, we’re talking about the endlessly charming, brilliantly funny, and quietly groundbreaking Dan Levy. From growing up as the son of comedy legend Eugene Levy to becoming one of the most recognizable queer creators on television, Dan carved out a space where queer joy, awkwardness, love, and family could exist without tragedy defining the story. We dive into h...

Jody Dallas, played by Billy Crystal, was one of the first openly gay characters on American television—and not just a sidekick or a punchline, but a fully realized, messy, lovable human being. When Soap premiered in 1977, Jody wasn’t just groundbreaking—he was controversial. A gay man in a primetime comedy? That alone had people clutching their pearls. But what made Jody revolutionary wasn’t just...

Assumptions is a character-driven novel that digs into how quickly we judge—and how wrong we can be when we do. The story centers on a group of interconnected characters whose lives overlap in unexpected ways. At first glance, each person seems easy to define: their identities, their relationships, their motivations all appear straightforward. But as the narrative unfolds, those initial impression...

A Brief History of George Michael Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support . Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers

Tig Notaro Turning Pain Into Punchlines Tig Notaro is one of the most quietly revolutionary comedians working today. Not because she’s loud or flashy—she’s not—but because she has done something far more difficult: she made raw, uncomfortable truth not only watchable, but deeply, painfully funny. Born Mathilde O’Callaghan Notaro on March 24, 1971, Tig grew up in Texas and Mississippi. Her childhoo...

Louisa May Alcott : The Radical Mind Behind Little Women Most people know Louisa May Alcott as the beloved author of Little Women. But behind that classic novel was a fiercely independent woman who resisted the expectations of marriage, challenged gender roles, and lived a life shaped by passionate friendships, radical politics, and personal freedom. In this episode of Forgotten Queers, we explore...

In this episode of Forgotten Queers, your favorite queer history podcast, we revisit one of Hollywood’s most quietly revolutionary leading men — Montgomery Clift. Often remembered for his beauty and tragedy, Clift deserves recognition among our true forgotten icons. With only seventeen films, he reshaped masculinity on screen — bringing tenderness, vulnerability, and emotional depth to roles that...

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1939, ted stayed in the area to attend school and grow up. His family was unconditional in their support of ted even after coming out as homosexual in a time where it was a criminal act. In 1958 he moved to Vancouver and started protesting homosexuality being a criminal thing, always appearing in drag. ted northe wound up on the steps of the provincial court/ar...

The wonderful Canadian Rufus Wainwright is being profiled this week. A queer who’s not forgotten and lives proudly Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support . Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers

This is a revising of Wendy Carlos. I wanted to get a trans women’s perspective on it and Marcia Darling agreed to help me with this. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support . Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers

In this week’s episode, Zee & For the next few weeks Negotiate I discuss Elliot Page and what a true warrior he is, and somehow connect this with the atrocities of Trump and Caitlin Jenner. Quite a ride folks. I hope you enjoy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support . Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Th...

Little Richard, the complicated Forgotten Queer! Yeah, that about covers it. I hope you enjoy this episode please rate and review. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support . Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers

Stephen King said Clive Barker was the future of horror. I tend to agree. Whether you know him best from his books, movies, comics or art he’s a Queer Icon who hopefully will never be forgotten 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support . Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget...

Chris Kanyon from Physical Therapist to Wrestling Superstar to Wrestling joke 😢. Find out more on this week’s Episode of Forgotten Queers Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support . Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers

Rob Halford lead vocalist of Judas Priest. He joined them in 1973. They received a 2010 Grammy award for best metal performance. Learn more in this podcast. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support . Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers

Moved to New York City in 1978 to study painting at the School of Visual Arts Started his career as a graffiti artist in subway stations using white chaulk on black, unused advertisement boards. 1980: He used New York lamp posts to post graphic letter messages around the city. “Regan Slain By Hero Cop” “Pope killed for Freed Hostage” 1980: Participated in The Times Square Show with one of his earl...

Danny Lockin was born in Hawaii in 1943,Not for any glamorous reasons but because that’s where dad Joseph was an operations manager for Dole Pineapple well anyway the family didn’t stay there long and fairly soon relocated to Omaha, Nebraska. Mom also known as Jean, who had been a dancer in the last raspy gasps of The vaudeville circuit , opened up a successful dance studio. From an early age Dann...

Today we remember a man who could out-quipp anyone on television and still go home alone because America wasn’t ready for his truth. Charles Nelson Reilly was more than the wise-cracking guest on Match Game—he was a Tony-winning actor, a master director, and a pioneer of coded queer visibility in mid-century America. In this episode, I dive into the life of this one-of-a-kind performer: his Broadw...

Peter Richard Woolnough Allen, born in Tenterfield, Australia, lived a life that swung between dazzling fame and deep heartbreak. Discovered in Hong Kong by Judy Garland’s husband, he later married her daughter, Liza Minnelli—a glamorous but short-lived union. Peter’s flamboyant stage presence and heartfelt songwriting defined an era: he co-wrote I Honestly Love You, Don’t Cry Out Loud, and Arthur...