Where did the phrase “coming out of the closet” come from? Is history gay? And if it is, why is gay history a secret? This week’s podcast episode looks at famous gay people in history. Including gay Kings of England and America’s first gay president, at least potentially. Grant and Maia also take on the controversy of learning gay history. Explore the perks of being a spinster. Before ending with a tour of modern gay history in the United States. They say he was never married, a confirmed bachelor, and famous for his dinner parties. A queer history, now out!
From weekend bar mishaps to the hidden layers of “coming out,” Grant and Maia take you on a lively ride through queer history’s best-kept secrets. They trade banter on bookstore obsessions, hyperfixation at work, and late-night escapades—then pivot to “never married” monarchs, a bachelor president, and the many ways LGBTQ+ stories slipped into the shadows. Equal parts hilarious and eye-opening, it’s a whirlwind look at how “out and about” has always meant so much more. They dig into the coded language of early gay communities, the unexpected role of spinster neighbors, and reveal how a mid-century “Lavender Scare” still echoes in today’s battles for representation. Expect comedic tangents, historical aha-moments, and fresh insight into why these hidden narratives matter.
00:00:00 Catch-Up
00:21:38 Out & About
00:34:03 Royals Rumors
00:45:10 The Only Bachelor President
01:00:00 Lavender Scare & Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
01:14:45 A Search for Gay History
01:28:00 Wrapping It Up
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