But We Loved
As a gay kid growing up Catholic, in conservative Texas, Jordan Gonsalves knew nothing about queer history. Now, as a journalist, he’s searching for the stories he craved when he was coming of age. Through intimate interviews with LGBTQ+ elders, Jordan uncovers the untold stories of queer history. And in the process, he discovers the role models he always needed and the wisdom they’ve been waiting to pass down.
Episodes
Andy Tobias is one of the most well-known financial thinkers in America and was the treasurer of the Democratic National Committee for almost 20 years. He's also the author of "The Best Little Boy in the World." Often considered the first book to openly address gay American life, it has impacted over a million readers. Andy reflects on his own life experiences trying to be "the best little boy in the world."
Mark S. King is in recovery for a Crystal Meth addiction that almost destroyed his life. Gay men are 4x more likely to use Crystal Meth than straight men. Mark reflects on what was at the root of his addiction and how he became sober.
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Tom Viola stepped down in December 2024, after leading Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for 36 years. His fundraising has helped save countless lives. He reminisces on what it was like to live through the grief and trauma of the AIDS crisis — and how he coped.
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In this recap of our season's coverage of AIDS, we weave together the different voices of our guests — and their memories — of surviving the AIDS Crisis.
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Martha Shelley was one of the architects of the mid 20th century gay rights movement. She recalls the issues she fought against back then — and explains why they're so relevant today.
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Ellen Broidy proposed and helped lead the very first Pride March in 1970 in NYC. She reflects back on what inspired the march, what its original goals were, and whether she believes those goals have been achieved.
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Ken Lustbader is a historic preservationist and co-director of the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project — which has identified nearly 500 historically queer sites in New York. He reflects on how becoming a historian was motivated by living through the loss of the AIDS Crisis.
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Bill Glenn is the author of I Came Here Seeking a Person. A Vital Story of Grace; One Gay Man's Spiritual Journey. In the 70s, he trained to be a Catholic priest, but left the seminary at 29. But just as he left, his priestly gifts of love and compassion would be needed to get him — and the thousands of queer people he touched — through the AIDS Crisis.
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Richard Burns has been a pillar of the American LGBTQ+ rights movement. He helped organize the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979. Later, he became the executive director of the NYC LGBTQ Center when New York was the epicenter for AIDS. Here, he discusses his role in history and why that history must be protected and passed down to young people.
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In the 80s and 90s, Derek Hodel was the executive director of the New York Buyer's Club — also known as the People with AIDS Health Group. When life saving AIDS drugs in America were too expensive or not approved yet, Derek bypassed the American healthcare system and brought them in from abroad. He reflects on his work and its impact, nearly 40 years later.
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Greg Louganis is often considered the greatest diver of all time. But his sports journey was intertwined with his deep desire to be loved by his parents. He relives the moment when his HIV status, sexual orientation, and diving career all collided at once: the 1988 Summer Olympics.
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Michael Willhoite wrote the 2nd most challenged book of the 1990s — a children's book called "Daddy's Roommate." The book set off a cultural and political firestorm in America. But Michael recounts how he never sought out to be political. He just wanted to write a children's book.
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Jewelle Gomez co-founded GLAAD, the premier queer media watchdog organization, in 1985. She realized early that media was a tool that could prevent homophobia — or perpetuate it. She recounts why GLAAD was founded and why it's still needed today.
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Patrik Ian-Polk is the creator of Noah's Arc, the first scripted TV show to center Black gay men. The show defied stereotypes and developed a cult following in the 2000s. He discusses the superheroes in his own life that served as his inspirations.
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Peter Staley was one of the most prominent members of the AIDS activism group ACT-UP. He is largely credited as one of the pioneers responsible for the creation of life-saving AIDS drugs. He recounts the most harrowing times of the AIDS crisis — and how he persevered.
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This episode contains frank discussion on suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
In 1998, Celeste Lecesne co-founded the Trevor Project, the nation’s leading suicide prevention organization for queer youth. It was born out of an oscar-winning suicide awareness film ...
Susan Stryker is a historian who unearthed the story of Compton's Cafeteria, the first known full-scale queer riot against police harassment in American history. She describes the events of the riot and how her discovery impacted her own life.
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Luis Camacho Xtravaganza was one of the ballroom dancers who choreographed Madonna's music video for "Vogue." It took voguing from the underground to the mainstream. He relives this complicated time — the rush of stardom and the consequences that came with it.
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Rayceen Pendarvis is an elder in the House of Pendavis. Rayceen recounts the beginnings of ballroom, how it exploded in the early 90s thanks to Madonna and “Paris is Burning,” and how, simultaneously, it began collapsing from within as AIDS ravaged the community.
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Larry Colton was profoundly impacted by the AIDS crisis in San Francisco. He reflects on the most difficult loss he endured and what he legacy he was left with.
Vote for us to win our first Signal Award here! For "Best LGBTQ+ Podcast Episode." Voting closes Oct. 17th.
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