Kickass Queers

As we come to the dizzying and heartwrenching conclusion of Oscar Wilde's life story, we find him on the verge of creating a flurry of masterworks... and meeting the demon twink (do we still say demon twink?) who will be his undoing. Larry has the story, Rachel has the snappy commentary. Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-nonconforming, a...

The story of Oscar Wilde weaves together many threads that have run through these episodes. Before things go really crazy in part 2, we're going to look at his life before he created his masterworks... and landed in prison. Larry has the first half of this wild, Wilde story. Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-nonconforming, and otherwise...

Barbara Jordan was a powerhouse in American politics and a trailblazer for civil rights. She helped bring down President Nixon. President Johnson wanted her to be Vice President. President Clinton wanted her to be a Supreme Court Justice. Progressive MS and her closeted sexuality made both options impossible. Rachel has all the details. Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing...

Lucy Hicks Anderson was a businesswoman, socialite, philanthropist, madam and occasionally bootlegger who lived by her own rules, until a court-ordered medical examination made national headlines. After that, she... still kinda did. You won't believe the hilarious and pointedly human ways Lucy chose to fight back. And, did we mention she was also a famous cook? Kickass Queers shares the incredible...

Octavia E. Butler was a pioneer of science fiction and a trailblazer for Afrofuturism. From her early days as a shy, introverted bookworm to becoming the first science fiction writer to receive a MacArthur "Genius" Grant, Butler's work has left an indelible mark on the literary world. She also was... anything but heterosexual? Friends claimed she was a lesbian. Butler proclaimed herself a hermit....

Paul Bartel was one of the most celebrated cult movie directors and most recognizable character actors of all-time. For two and a half decades, he was the go-to choice for nebbish and pompous supporting players. In the conclusion of his life story, we'll be joined by actress and comedian Susan Saiger, a friend of Bartel who worked with him on a number of projects over the last 20 years of his life...

Paul Bartel was one of the most celebrated cult movie directors and most recognizable character actors of all-time. For two and a half decades, he was the go-to choice for nebbish and pompous supporting players. Most would be surprised to learn of the giddy peaks and harrowing valleys that helped shape his trademark dark humor. In the first half of this two-parter, we explore how those circumstanc...

Margaret Mead upended the way people think about sex and gender. By studying Samoans up close (and possibly personal,) she realized that not every society shared the same shame and hang-ups as the rest of us. She was also a rather libertine bisexual, who had a long line of male lovers amid a quarter-century romantic relationship with her female mentor. Kickass Queers shares the incredible life sto...

Before the Beatles, before Elvis (but after Sinatra,) there was Johnnie Ray. Ray overcame partial deafness to become the world's biggest pop idol and inspire generations of songwriters to come. He was also pretty queer! Larry has the whole story. We'll also be talking briefly about two other queer trailblazers who helped shape modern music: Little Richard and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Kickass Queers...

In the conclusion of Rachel's very first sprawling epic, we learn about the later life of pop culture's most talked-about philosopher. We'll learn how Foucault's independent thinking led him to be way ahead of the curve on some issues... and tragically wrong on others. We'll also talk about perceptions of his massive impact on contemporary culture and politics. Oh, and, we'll also hear about Larry...

Michel Foucault was one of the most famous, influential and controversial scholars of the 20th century--and, perhaps, all time. He did it all to impress boys. Rachel walks us through the first four decades of his life and career, with plenty of asides about the bizarre personal predilections that influenced his work for the better... and for the worse. (Don't worry; we'll be talking about that pro...

Did someone say flashback episode? Rachel and Larry revisit the highs, lows and give you the Cliff's Notes versions of all the stories we've told so far! (While they diligently prepare the next batch of kickass stories.) Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-nonconforming and otherwise queer people. If you love this episode, remember to show...

In the conclusion of our King James VI and I Christmas special, we meet poor James soon after he has parted with his first love. We'll talk about his triumphs, his struggles, his lovers, and the man he called his wife. (Among other things.) If only Shakespeare had outlived this guy, right? We'll also encounter a statement so astonishing that even Rachel is shocked. Kickass Queers shares the incred...

Home for the holidays? Ruin Christmas dinner with our very first holiday special, in which we'll be getting to know the king who united Great Britain, commissioned the world's most popular Bible, spared England and Scotland the horrors of a devastating war, and had a succession of male lovers that scandalized his court and privy council. In the first half, Larry walks us through the remarkable cir...

In 1982, YA fantasy novelist Nancy Garden had her most genre-busting idea yet: a love story about two girls who don't die, hate themselves, or even get seduced by vampires. Her book, Annie on My Mind , is a lovely, life-affirming classic of YA and queer literature. It was also one of the most challenged, banned and even burned books of the 20th century. Rachel tells us all about the novel and its...

We wrap up our first foray into (probably totally made up) true crime! Larry and Rachel laugh at some bizarre legal briefs, hate on Antonin Scalia and chat with brilliant attorney Paul Smith, who will walk us through his experience arguing the case before the Supreme Court. Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-nonconforming and otherwise qu...

In the penultimate installment of our deep dive into the landmark Supreme Court ruling just 20 years ago, we'll meet an eccentric justice of the peace, a closeted lesbian prosecutor, a conspiracy-minded judge, a simple country DA about to make what is sadly not the biggest mistake of his life... and more kickass queer attorneys than you can pile into a courtroom. Lane Lewis will also be joining us...

In part two of our four-episode deep dive into the case that made gay sex--and by extension being out of the closet--legal in all 50 states, we'll meet three messy gays, four sus cops and one wunderkind-activist-turned-bartender (guest Lane Lewis) who will make their confrontation a turning point for gay rights and personal freedom. Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesb...

Just how homophobic was America in the 90s? Gay sex was still illegal in several US states until this landmark Supreme Court ruling just 20 years ago. This meant that out gay people in those states were seen as criminals. That would sometimes cost them jobs, housing or even custody and visitation of their children. And, even when it didn't, the threat was always over their heads. We're celebrating...

Florence Nightingale was the creator of modern nursing, a statistician of historic importance, an accomplished scholar, and the reason you wash your hands constantly. Rachel is here to walk us through her astonishing career, as well as her relationships with God, 60 cats and "all the women of Europe." Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-no...

Ever wonder how the ancient Athenians came to found democracy? According to them, it was simple: gay drama got way out of hand. Larry has all the juicy details about The Tyrant Killers (or Tyranticides,) Harmodius and Aristogeiton! Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-nonconforming and otherwise queer people. If you love this episode, remem...

Sylvia Rivera helped get legal protections for LGBT people and founded the first shelter for homeless trans youth in North America, all while coping with homelessness and drug addiction herself. Rachel leads a discussion of Sylvia's extraordinary life and legacy. Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-nonconforming and otherwise queer people....

Stormé is often thought to have incited the riot at Stonewall, and that’s barely a footnote in the life of this civil rights icon and legendary entertainer. Larry leads a deep dive through little-known sources to reveal the recently uncovered true life story of this incredible figure. Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-nonconforming and o...

We’re not saying that Frida Kahlo definitely had an affair with Josephine Baker in 1939. We’re just saying that a lot of people said that they did at the time, and we really want it to be true. Rachel is here to spill all the hot goss and teach Larry about scissoring. Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-nonconforming and otherwise queer pe...

James Bond has nothing on Brian Stonehouse, a World War II spy who worked in the French resistance and survived five concentration camps to become an internationally famous Vogue illustrator and the Queen Mother’s GBFF. Larry has the whole story. Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-nonconforming and otherwise queer people. If you love this...