BONUS 0.20. Dialing in to Gender: Tracing Trans Internet History with Avery Dame-Griff

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In this interview episode, Leigh sits down with scholar and creator of the Queer Digital History Project Avery Dame-Griff to discuss his book The Two Revolutions: A History of the Transgender Internet and all it contains about the magic of the evolution of trans folks on the internet. From BBSes (bulletin board system) to Twitter, we discuss how trans people have always existed on and created their own unique spaces on the World Wide Web, tapping into Avery’s extensive research, interviews, and media archaeology.

The Two Revolutions explores how the rise of the internet shaped transgender identity and activism from the 1980s to the present. Through extensive archival research and media archeology, Avery Dame-Griff reconstructs the manifold digital networks of transgender activists, cross-dressing computer hobbyists, and others interested in gender nonconformity who incited the second revolution of the title: the ascendance of "transgender" as an umbrella identity in the mid-1990s.

Dame-Griff argues that digital communications sparked significant momentum within what would become the transgender movement, but also further cemented existing power structures. Covering both a historical period that is largely neglected within the history of computing, and the poorly understood role of technology in queer and trans social movements, The Two Revolutions offers a new understanding of both revolutions-the internet's early development and the structures of communication that would take us to today's tipping point of trans visibility politics. Through a history of how trans people online exploited different digital infrastructures in the early days of the internet to build a community, The Two Revolutions tells a crucial part of trans history itself.

 

Dr. Avery Dame-Griff teaches courses on gender, race and sexuality in the US, LGBT studies, gender and technology, digital humanities, and feminist media studies at Gonzaga University. He founded and serves as primary curator of the Queer Digital History Project, an independent community history project cataloging and archiving pre-2010 LGBTQ spaces online. In 2022, he was selected to be a Public Humanities Fellow for Humanities Washington, developing a series of interactive online exhibits, teaching guides, and workshops about the history of LBGTQ+ communities in online spaces.

Where To Find Dr. Avery Dame-Griff Online:

More Exciting News in the World of Early Trans Internet!

As listeners may know, Leigh works at the GLBT Historical Society for their day job. And recently, a volunteer archivist, Cara Esten Hurtle, discovered an amazing CD-ROM containing the entirety of Transgender Forum, (TGForum.com) from 1995 to 1998, one of the largest trans communities online at that time, that Avery Dame-Griff also covers in his book! Hurtle uploaded the CD-rom online for anyone to peruse, and it’s absolutely amazing to see the 90s trans community right there before your very eyes!

The discovery has been covered by them online in a fantastic article which you can read here: This Archive Offers an Incredible Window Into the Early Trans Internet.

And you can peruse the CD-Rom of TGForum.com here, where Cara uploaded the archive! Just click the “START.HTM” file in the tgfcd window, and browse to your heart’s content! Want Leigh to do an interview with Cara about her discovery? Let us know!


Until next time, stay queer and stay curious!

44. Can We Just Title An Episode "Fuck Colonialism"?: Reclaiming Two-Spirit Histories

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For this episode, Leigh is joined by Sam Campbell to discuss the history behind Two Spirit identities. In this episode, they cover the pre-colonial significance of Two-Spirit people to Indigenous communities, how early colonists were able to shape the narrative of what it meant to be Two-Spirit and how that has changed, and last, how colonization has nearly eradicated Two-Spirit histories. How can we uplift these stories to highlight Two-Spirit resilience despite the genocide they faced?

Sam Campbell is a Diné and Yome Two-Spirit individual who has dedicated their time to supporting LGBT2s+ groups. As a board member and former drum keeper for the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS), they have helped facilitate community connection and healing. As a two-time TEDx speaker, Sam has worked to highlight the complexity of gender and sexuality as well as bring awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement.

Locate Sam upon the internet:

Sam has also given two TEDx Talks on Indigenous and Two-Spirit history and reclamation:


Firstly, let’s define what we mean by “Two-Spirit”— below is a fantastic video from them.us, featuring Geo Soctomah Neptune (Passamaquoddy), a Two-Spirit activist, model, basket maker, and politician, whom we mentioned in our episode:

Some Historical Images/Illustrations of Two-Spirits:

“Employments of the hermaphrodites”, watercolor by jacques le moyne and then engraving by theodore de bry, 1591. The image depicts Timucuan two-spirt people carrying wounded peopleand the dead on stretchers, showing their roles as caretakers, medicine people, and death workers.

“Dance to the berdash”, 1835-1837, by george catlin. depicting multiple men dancing around a two-spirit person among the sauk and fox

cheyenne he’emane’o in a ledger drawing depicting the victory dance held after Custer's defeat in 1876

Cheyenne hetaneman, 1889. An AFAB two-spirit person in battle, wearing a men’s breechcloth, depicted on a ledger drawing.

a unknown quechan kwe’rhame, c. 1890s — one of the only known photographs of an afab two-spirit person from this era, wearing a men’s breechcloth and bow guards on their wrists.

Some notable Two-Spirit individuals in the historic record, whom we’ll be covering in their own episodes!

Bíawacheeitchish, also kown as Woman Chief or “Pine Leaf”, a Crow warrior

Hosteen Klah (Diné: Hastiin Tłʼa), a Diné nádleehi artist and medicine person

Lozen (1840-1889), Chiricahua Apache warrior woman, prophet, and one of the most trusted member’s of geronimo’s band fighting against colonizers

Osh-Tisch (also spelled Ohchiish), a Crow badé

We’Wha (1849-1896), a Zuni lhamana, fibert artist, weaver, and potter who became a cultural ambassador for the Zuni people and indigenous americans in general

What happened to these histories: The Effects of Colonialism

As soon as European invaders arrived, the oppression of Native peoples in the Americas begun, and violence and anti-indigenous treatment generally went one of two ways — violence and genocide or assimilation.

One of the most infamous events of genocide and hatred against Indigenous Two-Spirit peoples was in 1513, when Spanish colonizer Vasco Nuñez de Balboa had forty two-spirit people that he encountered in Panama put to death by his dogs. The event was depicted in an engraving based on a painting published by Theodore de Bry.

We are choosing not to show this image here, so as not to retraumatize Indigenous folks who may visit this site, but can be viewed by clicking this link if you so choose.

One of the other ways settler colonialism enacted violence upon Indigenous peoples was to work through assimilation and erasure and restriction of their culture — namely through institutions called “residential schools” or “boarding schools”, though they are better described as assimilation camps.

The children in these institutions were subjected to countless types of abuse, from physical, sexual, emotional, to religious. They were given new Anglo-Saxon names, forced to wear western dress and their traditional clothing destroyed, forbidden from speaking their languages or practicing Indigenous customs, and their hair was cut.

Indigenous children at the Carlisle Indian School, an assimilation camp (“Residential/boarding school”), founded in 1879 with the goal of separating children from their families and “killing the indian to save the man”.

A Diné (Navajo Nation) student of carlisle Indian Boarding School in the 1880s, in a “before and after” sequence. The student file lists him as Tom Torlino— his Diné name was Hastiin To'Haali.

Two-Spirit Artists, Activists, and Influences to Follow Today:

Geo Soctomah Neptune (Passamaquoddy), she/they, is a master basket weaver, performer, and model. She became the first openly Two-Spirit person elected to public office in Maine during 2020!

Kairyn Potts (Nakota Sioux), he/him, is a Winkte Two-Spirit Indigenous youth advocate, comedian, and actor. He hosts a Snapchat video series on Indigenous youth culture with Marika Sila called Reclaim(ed). He also has some really hilarious comedy videos on his Instagram and TikTok you should definitely check out.

View this profile on Instagram

Kairyn Potts (@ohkairyn) • Instagram photos and videos

Anachnid (Oji-Cree/Mi’kmaq), she/her, is a Canadian electronic musician based in Montreal and won the Felix Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year at the 43rd Félix Awards in 2021. Her album, Dreamweaver, was released in February 2020

(Note: We mispronounced this artist’s name as Arachnid in the episode, our apologies!)

Bobby Sanchez (Quechua Wari), she/they, is a rapper, poet, and model. Check out her amazing track “Quechua 101 Land Back Please”:

Recommended reading for Two-Spirit poetry and literature:

Sovereign Erotics: A Collection of Two-Spirit Literature

Red book cover art for "Sovereign Erotics: A Collection of Two-Spirit Literature, depicting an Indigenous woman with a camera

BAAITS Two-Spirit Powwow 2023

The Bay Area American Indian Two Spirits Powwow is coming up on Saturday, February 4 in San Francisco! If you are local to the area, or even just want to check it out virtually via the livestream or some of the events they have going on in the week preceding the event, check it out at www.baaits.org!

If you want to learn more, check out our full list of sources and further reading below!

Online Articles & Resources:

Books and Print Articles:

  • Fulton, Robert, and Steven W. Anderson. “The Amerindian ‘Man-Woman’: Gender, Liminality, and Cultural Continuity.” Current Anthropology 33, no. 5 (1992): 603–10. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2743927.

  • Parsons, Elsie Clews. “The Zuñi Ła’mana.” American Anthropologist 18, no. 4 (1916): 521–28. http://www.jstor.org/stable/660121.

  • Smithers, Gregory D. “Cherokee ‘Two Spirits’: Gender, Ritual, and Spirituality in the Native South.” Early American Studies 12, no. 3 (2014): 626–51. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24474873.

  • Dozono, Tadashi. “Teaching Alternative and Indigenous Gender Systems in World History: A Queer Approach.” The History Teacher 50, no. 3 (2017): 425–47. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44507259.

  • Katz, Jonathan Ned. “Native Americans/Gay Americans 1528-1976”, Gay American History: Lesbians & Gay Men in the U.S.A.

  • Kit Heyam. “‘Because of the manifestation of Spirit’: Gender, spirituality and survival in North America and South Asia”, Before We Were Trans

  • Roscoe, Will. Changing Ones: Third & Fourth Genders in Native North America

  • Williams, Walter L. The Spirit and the Flesh: Sexual Diversity in American Indian Culture

  • Roscoe, Will (editor). Living the Spirit: A Gay American Indian Anthology

Until next time, stay queer and stay curious!

38. Trans-sister Radio: Synth Icon Wendy Carlos

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For the first time on the pod we’re covering someone who is still among us: Synth pioneer Wendy Carlos. This computer nerd and classical music enthusiast helped create electronic music the way we know it today. Her friend Robert Moog might be the one whose name is attached to the different kinds of synthesizers, but according to Moog himself Wendy Carlos deserves all the credit. From The Beatles to Donna Summer, from The Shining to Daft Punk— none of them would have sounded the way we know them now. Even classical artists like Bach and Beethoven were completely redefined because of Carlos’ work. Get ready for a deep dive into the achievements of this transistor trans sister!


But first, let me introduce to you our guest host for this episode, Hannah van Rhee!

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Music plays a huge role in queer life. With so many memories, anecdotes and other stories that have songs attached to them, it would be a shame if no one would ever share them. Through the QueerSounds podcast, Hannah van Rhee (they/them) hopes to give queer folks a break from all kinds of activism by creating a space where they can just talk about their favourite songs and have a laugh. From obscure Indonesian movie soundtracks to the biggest pop divas in the world, Hannah and their guests cover it all.

They're born a Pisces and raised in the Netherlands. They're close to getting a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in music marketing and management. Hannah is a stereotypical vegan, yoga-practicing, thrift-shopping brand of queer with some of their favourite types of music being Punk and Disco.

Locate Hannah and QueerSounds upon the internet:

A Closer Look at Wendy Carlos

Robert Moog with his Moog Synthesizer in 1970. Jack Robinson/Getty Images

Robert Moog with his Moog Synthesizer in 1970. Jack Robinson/Getty Images

Wendy in 1972.

Wendy in 1972.

Wendy in 1979 at her Moog synthesizer.

Wendy in 1979 at her Moog synthesizer.

Another 1979 photo. Image from Len Delessio/Corbis/Getty Images

Another 1979 photo. Image from Len Delessio/Corbis/Getty Images

Wendy in her studio in 1992, flanked by her three Siamese cats.

Wendy in her studio in 1992, flanked by her three Siamese cats.

Wendy in her studio in the early 1990s

Wendy in her studio in the early 1990s

Blueprints for Wendy’s studio in her NYC apartment, lovingly nicknamed “The Spaceship” by her and friends.

Blueprints for Wendy’s studio in her NYC apartment, lovingly nicknamed “The Spaceship” by her and friends.

Listen to some of Wendy Carlos’ music!

First up, check out the transition from Beethoven’s original composition “Ode an die Freude/Ode to Joy”:

And below, Wendy’s synthesizer version arranged for Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange in 1971:

And another clip from A Clockwork Orange, this time Beethoven’s Ninth.

Below, the opening sequence to Wendy’s return to Kubrick with The Shining, one of the two tracks produced by Carlos and Elkind that ended up in the final film:

And music from Tron:

Some video interviews featuring Wendy

Before Wendy had come out publicly, here she is demonstrating her Moog in 1970, with the pasted-on sideburns and wig, dressing in drag for this BBC feature.

And here’s another from BBC, this time in 1989

Here’s one with her and Robert Moog!

We’re not usually fans of Amazon around here, but considering you can’t get Wendy’s music anywhere online other than the few bits we linked to above, they will be the best resource for purchasing her albums! You can check them all out here.

If you want to learn more about Wendy Carlos, check out our full list of sources and further reading below!

Books and Print Articles:

Online Articles/Resources:

Until next time, stay queer and stay curious!

36 & 37. The Life of Pauli Murray

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For this two-part episode, Leigh is joined by return guest host, Aubree Calvin to do a deep dive into the story of Pauli Murray, an important African American lawyer, and activist who is finally getting the historical attention they deserve. In their time, Murray was a labor rights, civil rights, and women’s rights activist, and broke significant barriers all while facing sexism and racism. In addition to having a brilliant legal mind, they were a writer, poet, and priest, and had time to be friends with Eleanor Roosevelt. Pauli Murray should be in every U.S. History book in every K-12 school.

So, if Pauli Murray was so important to so many movements, why has history largely forgotten them? Leigh and Aubree try to answer that across two episodes — the first, looking at their upbringing, many careers, and accomplishments, then in part two, discussing their multfaceted queerness and try to get a handle, as best we can, on their gender identity.

Aubree, or Bree to her friends and enemies alike, is a black, queer trans woman on the edge of turning 40. A southerner for most of her life, Aubree has family roots across the south. She loves studying politics, history, and learning about all aspects of queer culture. Aubree started her podcast, Southern Queeries, because she’s tired of society ignoring the south's diverse communities. Professionally, Aubree is a community college government professor and part time writer. When not talking, teaching, or writing, Aubree’s spending her free time with her wonderful wife and daughter.

We also got the opportunity to speak with amazing activist, lawyer, and reproductive justice advocate Preston Mitchum, previously Policy Director at URGE (Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity) and current Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project, on his own personal history coming to Pauli Murray’s story, how they influenced him as a Black queer man, and continues to inspire and influence current and future generations of queer civil rights attorneys all across the country.

Preston Mitchum is a Black and queer civil rights advocate, writer and public speaker who uses critical thinking and intersectionality in his writing and analyses. In his role as Policy Director at URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, he shaped state and federal strategies and policies that center the voices and leadership of young people in the South and Midwest. Prior to joining URGE, Preston served as senior legal and international policy analyst with Advocates for Youth. Preston is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center teaching LGBTQ Health Law and Policy, is the co-chair of the board of directors for the Collective Action for Safe Spaces and was also the first openly LGBTQ chair of the Washington Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.

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Preston can be found online at:

A Closer Look at Pauli Murray

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Pauli presenting their family biography, Proud Shoes, presents the first edition of their book to Lloyd K. Garrison, former president of the National Urban League.

Pauli presenting their family biography, Proud Shoes, presents the first edition of their book to Lloyd K. Garrison, former president of the National Urban League.

Pauli in Ghana, where they taught law briefly in the 1960s.

Pauli in Ghana, where they taught law briefly in the 1960s.

Pauli after earning their JSD from Yale in 1965.

Pauli after earning their JSD from Yale in 1965.

Pauli with Betty Friedan and others who would be influential in founding NOW

Pauli with Betty Friedan and others who would be influential in founding NOW

A Little Glimpse into Pauli’s Gender Journey

“Why do I prefer experimentation on the male side, instead of attempted adjustment as a normal woman?”

Pauli’s various “identities” they tried out and modeled in a 1930s photo album they titled “The Life and Times of an American Called Pauli Murray”:

Pauli in New Hampshire, Nov 1955. They sent this photo to Eleanor Roosevelt, describing it as “It’s my most natural self, I think”. Source: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library

Pauli in New Hampshire, Nov 1955. They sent this photo to Eleanor Roosevelt, describing it as “It’s my most natural self, I think”. Source: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library

Some of Pauli’s Loves

Pauli’s longtime partner Irene “Renee” Barlow

Pauli’s longtime partner Irene “Renee” Barlow

Pauli with their girlfriend Peggy Holmes, who they met at the New Deal Women’s Camp. LOOK HOW CUTE THIS IS!

Pauli with their girlfriend Peggy Holmes, who they met at the New Deal Women’s Camp. LOOK HOW CUTE THIS IS!

Pauli with their dog, Doc, at Benedict College, SC in 1967.

Pauli with their dog, Doc, at Benedict College, SC in 1967.

Pauli with another of their dogs, Roy, in 1976

Pauli with another of their dogs, Roy, in 1976

Pauli with their BFF for life, Eleanor Roosevelt, in 1962 on a trip to Val-Kill Cottage, Hyde Park.

Pauli with their BFF for life, Eleanor Roosevelt, in 1962 on a trip to Val-Kill Cottage, Hyde Park.

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Pauli, The Reverend and Poet

Pauli in their Virginia apartment, 1977, after becoming a reverend.

Pauli in their Virginia apartment, 1977, after becoming a reverend.

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Pauli’s portrait at Yale Law, unveiled in November 2018.

Pauli’s portrait at Yale Law, unveiled in November 2018.

Listen to Pauli read the entirety of Dark Testament:

Pauli reading from their epic poem, “Dark Testament”

Pauli reading from their epic poem, “Dark Testament”

“Rediscovering Pauli Murray”, a panel discussion from 2017 at the Radcliffe Institute at Harvard, featuring panelists Patricia Bell-Scott, Brittney Cooper, Rosalind Rosenberg, and Kenneth W. Mack.

If you liked hearing our episode on Pauli, you might also you might also enjoy these Pop-Culture Tie-Ins:

If you want to learn more about Pauli Murray, the 14th Amendment, and more, check out our full list of sources and further reading below!

Online Articles & Resources:

Books and Print Articles:

  • Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family by Pauli Murray

  • Song in a Weary Throat: Memoir of an American Pilgrimage by Pauli Murray

  • Jane Crow: The Life of Pauli Murray by Rosalind Rosenberg

  • Dark Testament: and Other Poems by Pauli Murray

  • The Firebrand and the First Lady: Portrait of a Friendship by Patricia Bell-Scott

  • “Poetry, Ethics, and the Legacy of Pauli Murray” by Christiana Z. Peppard in Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, Vol. 30, No. 1 (Spring/Summer 2010).

  • “Boy-girl, Imp, Priest: Pauli Murray and the Limits of Identity” by Doreen M. Drury in Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, Vol. 29, No. 1 (Spring 2013).

Films/Audio:

Until next time, stay queer and stay curious!

32. Stealing Horses & Hearts: Trans Vagabonds of the Wild West

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In this episode of History is Gay, Leigh and guest host Ashten Hope slap on some cowboy boots and head to the wild west to tip our hats to a slew of badass transgender pioneers. We’ll first meet Harry Allen, a handsome horse-stealing and heart-stealing trans man who was both loved and hated by papers and police across the pacific northwest. Then we’ll dance with the dazzling and talented Mrs. Nash, who’s baking and sewing charmed many a soldier boy. Lastly, prepare to be lassoed by the legendary Charley Parkhurst who was known as one of the best “whips” in all the west. Grab your horse and your headphones and get ready to ride into the fantastic lives of these frontier queers.


But first, let me introduce to you our new friend and guest host for this rootin’ tootin’ episode, Ashten Hope!

Ashten headshot.PNG

Ashten is a teacher in Texas, an avid birder, and runs a cryptid club! They also like to hike with their dog and read comics.

You can find more from Ashten on twitter at @AshtenHope!

A Closer Look at Our Trans Vagabonds of the Wild West

Harry Allen/Harry Livingston (aka Nell Pickerell)

Really, this is just going to be a slew of photos from the IMMENSE pile of newspaper articles we found on him. And when we say pile….

This isn’t even all of them!!!

This isn’t even all of them!!!

Harry Allen was a frequent figure in the papers, with scandalous headlines especially focused around his many dramatic relationships. 1908.

Harry Allen was a frequent figure in the papers, with scandalous headlines especially focused around his many dramatic relationships. 1908.

Allen was known for his fashion. Truly an icon. We, too, would wear cowboy outfits great deal if we had them, Harry.

Allen was known for his fashion. Truly an icon. We, too, would wear cowboy outfits great deal if we had them, Harry.

Honestly….we’ve seen worse headlines written about trans people in 2020 so….

Honestly….we’ve seen worse headlines written about trans people in 2020 so….

Harry Allen: a scoundrel of the worst kind! Wearing the WRONG CLOTHES!

Harry Allen: a scoundrel of the worst kind! Wearing the WRONG CLOTHES!

why Harry Allen won't wear women's clothing.png
 

And finally, a joke that didn’t make it into the edit of the episode because it just works better visually, behold:

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Who wore it better? Harry Allen, the original Florida Man. From Seattle.

 

Mrs. Nash

The only depiction there is of Mrs. Nash, from New York’s National Police Gazette, February 15, 1879

The only depiction there is of Mrs. Nash, from New York’s National Police Gazette, February 15, 1879

Charley Parkhurst



Illustration of Charley, showcasing the reason for his “One-Eyed Charley” nickname.

Illustration of Charley, showcasing the reason for his “One-Eyed Charley” nickname.

Charley with journalist J. Ross Browne, in an illustration from the 1865 edition of Harper’s Monthly

Charley with journalist J. Ross Browne, in an illustration from the 1865 edition of Harper’s Monthly

Charley Parkhurst’s tombstone in Watsonville, CA

Charley Parkhurst’s tombstone in Watsonville, CA

The plaque on the Soquel fire station wall that marks and commemorates Charley/Charlie’s voting registration.

The plaque on the Soquel fire station wall that marks and commemorates Charley/Charlie’s voting registration.


If you want to learn more about our wild west trans heroes, check out our full list of sources and further reading below!

Online Articles:

Books and Print Articles:

Newspaper Articles (where publicly available online, we have provided links!):

  • “Thirty Years in Disguise: A Noted Old Californian Stage Driver is Discovered, After Death, To Be a Woman”. New York Times, January 9, 1880. Online.

  • “A Woman By Nature – A Man By Choice”. Philadelphia Times, May 6, 1900: 18. Online.

  • “Goes By the Name of Harry” Seattle Daily Times, Oct 12, 1901: 5.

  • “Dolly Quappe’s Suicide. Loved a Masquerading Girl”. Los Angeles Times, Dec 26, 1901. Online.

  • “Nell Pickerell in Court: Her Trial for Throwing a Spitoon at a Saloon Man is Continued”. Seattle Daily Times, Aug 4, 1902: 14.

  • “Girl Tries to End Her Life: Pearl Waldron Falls in Love with Notorious Nell Pickerell.”. Seattle Daily Times, Nov 4, 1903: 3.

  • “Nell Sees It All”. Seattle Daily Times, Jun 28, 1904: 3.

  • “Nell Pickerell Again.”. Seattle Daily Times, Jul 10, 1904: 7.

  • “Nell Pickerell Wanted on a Serious Charge”. Seattle Daily Times, Jan 23, 1906: 17.

  • “Nell Pickerell Did Not Register: Girl Who Affects Man’s Attire Made No Effort to Be Recorded as a Voter”. Seattle Daily Times, Jan 28, 1906: 2.

  • “Woman Declines to Act as Stool Pigeon” Seattle Daily Times, Mar 31, 1906: 7.

  • The Notorious Nell Pickerell in Town”. The Ellensburgh Capital, Feb 13, 1907. Online.

  • “Nell Pickerell in the Toils Again” Seattle Daily Times, Mar 23, 1907: 2.

  • “Deadly Love Trap of the Youth Who is a Girl”, The Seattle Sunday Times, Jan 12, 1908.

  • “Strange Story of a Seattle Girl”, San Diego Union and Daily Bee, Mar 22, 1908.

  • “Nell Pickerell Tended Bar in Montana Town”. Seattle Daily Times, Apr 27, 1908

  • “How Catherine Madden Fell a Victim to Strong Drink; Why Nell Pickerell Will Not Wear Women’s Clothing”. The Spokesman Review, Oct 22, 1911: 24. Online.

  • “Nell Pickerell Returning to Jail”. The Spokesman Review, Nov 15, 1911: 5. Online.

  • “Nell Pickerell Denies Her Sex; Woman Who Dresses in Male Attire Starts Story She Is a ‘Real Man’; Rumor Causes Sensation”. The Spokesman Review, Nov 22, 1911: 6. Online.

  • “Fighter, Bootlegger and ‘Bad Man’ is Miss Pickerell For Love of Whom Three Women Have Killed Themselves”. Tacoma Times, April 12, 1912. Online.

  • “Woman Jailed”. Seattle Daily Times, Apr 22, 1912: 19.

  • “Trousered Woman Bites Policeman”. Seattle Daily Times, July 22, 1915: 2.

  • “Woman is Freed”. Seattle Daily Times, Aug 19, 1915: 11.

  • “Nell Pickerell Stabbed”. Seattle Daily Times, Sept 27, 1916: 5.

  • “Nell Pickerell May Die of Wounds”. Seattle Star, Sept 27, 1916. Online.

  • “Nell Pickerell Asks $50 Pay for Services”. Seattle Daily Times, Jul 1, 1917: 19.

  • “Nell Pickerell is Dead: Masqueraded as Man, Attracting Attention Here.” Seattle Daily Times, Dec 22, 1922: 11.

  • “Nell Pickerell Dead". Seattle Star, Dec 28, 1922. Online.

Until next time, stay queer and stay curious!

21. The Real Housewife of Rome

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What better way to celebrate the New Year than with a new episode of History is Gay? This time, Gretchen and Leigh dive into the brief, controversial, and totally extra reign of Emperor Elagabalus of Rome. Or rather, Empress Elagabalus! Whether it be marrying multiple wives and one husband, revolutionizing the Roman religion, installing women as senators, throwing parties with sex workers, or enjoying the attention of well-endowed men, Elagabalus was as unconventional as they come. And chances are, she may very well have been a trans woman. So grab your jeweled slippers and tiara and enjoy the real housewife of Rome, Elagabalus.

A Closer Look at Elagabalus

 

Portrait of young elagabalus.

Portrait of young elagabalus.

Roman Denarius featuring the bust of elagabalus (left) and the sun god Sol (Right) with upraised hand and whip. 221 CE. For a full database of Elagabalus coins, click here.

Roman Denarius featuring the bust of elagabalus (left) and the sun god Sol (Right) with upraised hand and whip. 221 CE. For a full database of Elagabalus coins, click here.

Roman Denarius featuring the bust of Aquilia Severa (Elagabalus’ second and fourth wife). ca 219-222 CE. For a full database of Aquilia Severa coins, click here.

Roman Denarius featuring the bust of Aquilia Severa (Elagabalus’ second and fourth wife). ca 219-222 CE. For a full database of Aquilia Severa coins, click here.

Roman aureus featuring the bust of elagabalus (right) and a chariot driven by four horses (right) containing the stone of emesa—representing Elagabal—topped by an eagle—a symbol of protection in Syrian iconography and of roman imperial authority in …

Roman aureus featuring the bust of elagabalus (right) and a chariot driven by four horses (right) containing the stone of emesa—representing Elagabal—topped by an eagle—a symbol of protection in Syrian iconography and of roman imperial authority in roman iconography. 222 CE.

Roman Antoninianus featuring the bust of Julia Maesa (Elagabalus’ Grandmother). 218-219 CE. For more Julia Maesa Coins, Click here.

Roman Antoninianus featuring the bust of Julia Maesa (Elagabalus’ Grandmother). 218-219 CE. For more Julia Maesa Coins, Click here.

Sculpture of Julia Soaemias (Elagabalus’ Mother).

Sculpture of Julia Soaemias (Elagabalus’ Mother).

Paintings Dedicated to Elagabalus

Heliogabalus, high priest of the sun by Simeon Solomon. 1866.

Heliogabalus, high priest of the sun by Simeon Solomon. 1866.

The Roses of elagabalus, by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. 1888.

The Roses of elagabalus, by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. 1888.

According to the Augustan History (uses he/him pronouns):

"In a banqueting-room with a reversible ceiling he once buried his guests in violets and other flowers, so that some were actually smothered to death, being unable to crawl out to the top.”

Elagabalus' entrance into Rome, with the baetyl representing elagabal behind him, as illustrated by Auguste Leroux for the novel L'Agonie by Jean Lombard (1902 edition). 1902.

Elagabalus' entrance into Rome, with the baetyl representing elagabal behind him, as illustrated by Auguste Leroux for the novel L'Agonie by Jean Lombard (1902 edition). 1902.

If you want to learn more about Elagabalus, check out our full list of sources and further reading below!

Online Articles:

Books and Print Articles:

  • Queer, There, and Everywhere by Sarah Prager

  • The Amazing Emperor Heliogabalus by John Stuart Hay

  • The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction? by Leonardo de Arrizabalaga y Prado

  • The Crimes of Elagabalus: The Life and Legacy of Rome's Decadent Boy Emperor By Martijn Icks

  • Greek and Roman Sexualities: A Sourcebook by Jennifer Larson.

  • “Marlowe, the 'Mad Priest of the Sun', and Heliogabalus” by Tom Rutter, in Early Theatre Vol. 13, No. 1 (2010).

  • “Censoring Eliogabalo in Seventeenth-Century Venice” by Mauro Calcagno, in The Journal of Interdisciplinary History Vol. 36, No. 3, Opera and Society: Part I (Winter, 2006).

  • “Active/Passive, Acts/Passions: Greek and Roman Sexualities” by Ruth Mazo Karras, in The American Historical Review Vol. 105, No. 4 (Oct., 2000).

  • “History as Carnival, or Method and Madness in the Vita Heliogabali by Gottfried Mader, in Classical Antiquity Vol. 24, No. 1 (April 2005).

Until next time, stay queer and stay curious!

8. Nazi Punks Fuck Off, Pt 1: Magnus Hirschfeld

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In this first part of a two-part series (so far!) of episodes dedicated to badass queer nazi fighters from our history, we dove into the fascinating life of Doctor Magnus Hirschfeld, the so-called "Einstein of sex." His approach to sexuality, gender, and race was decades ahead of the likes of Alfred Kinsey and Harry Benjamin, and who knows where society would be had his research not been destroyed. So come join us as we say, "Nazi punks, fuck off!" 

A Look at Magnus Hirschfeld

The einstein of sex, and such a snappy dresser, too!

The einstein of sex, and such a snappy dresser, too!

Dat gay book nerd life, yo. we get it, magnus. same.

Dat gay book nerd life, yo. we get it, magnus. same.

Some clips from Hirschfeld's 1919 film "Anders als die Andern (Different from the Others)":

Hirschfeld with two "Cross-dressers" (as they are labeled in this photo by the new yorker) outside the institute of sex

Hirschfeld with two "Cross-dressers" (as they are labeled in this photo by the new yorker) outside the institute of sex

lili elbe and her nurse, after lili's successful srs surgery at hirschfeld's institute of sex

lili elbe and her nurse, after lili's successful srs surgery at hirschfeld's institute of sex

A 1907 political cartoon depicting Hirschfeld as ‘Hero of the Day,’ drumming up support for the abolition of Paragraph 175 of the German penal code that criminalized homosexuality. The banner reads, ‘Away with Paragraph 175!’ The caption reads, ‘The…

A 1907 political cartoon depicting Hirschfeld as ‘Hero of the Day,’ drumming up support for the abolition of Paragraph 175 of the German penal code that criminalized homosexuality. The banner reads, ‘Away with Paragraph 175!’ The caption reads, ‘The foremost champion of the third sex!’ –US Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives

Rise of the Third Reich and the destruction of Hirschfeld's research, personal library, and the legacy of the Institute of Sex

Nazis ransacking hirschfeld's personal library of materials

Nazis ransacking hirschfeld's personal library of materials

One of the most absolutely frustrating things we knew going in to this, and becoming even more infuriated by as we researched, is that not only did the Nazis burn and destroy nearly all of the research, papers, libraries, and tangible knowledge and work done and discovered by the Institute of Sex, but that we've all seen evidence of it happening under our noses for many many years. 

If you have ever learned anything about the Holocaust in a class, or seen a film, featuring newsreel footage or photos of the Nazi book burnings, you have seen this scene or shot below. And we'd be willing to bet: you were never told that this footage is of Nazi stormtroopers destroying the sexology research on homosexuality, gender identity, and human behavior by Magnus Hirschfeld, were you? Even the context of theliteral act of destruction of our history has been lost, glossed over, erased. We were burned and destroyed, and never even taught about it.

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The pink triangle, a symbol which originated with hate and ostracization, marking our community in victimhood, now reclaimed. We think magnus hirschfeld would be proud.

The pink triangle, a symbol which originated with hate and ostracization, marking our community in victimhood, now reclaimed. We think magnus hirschfeld would be proud.

If you want to learn more about Magnus Hirschfeld, check out our full list of sources and further reading below!

Online Articles:

Books and Print Articles:

  • Heike Baur, The Hirschfeld Archives: Violence, Death, and Modern Queer Culture

  • Robert Beachy, Gay Berlin: Birthplace of a Modern Identity

  • Ralf Dose, Magnus Hirschfeld: The Origins of the Gay Liberation Movement

  • Charlotte Wolff, Magnus Hirschfeld: A Portrait of a Pioneer in Sexology

  • Kate Fisher and Jana Funke, “Let Us Leave the Hospital; Let Us Go on a Journey around the World”: British And German Sexual Science And The Global Search For Sexual Variation in A Global History of Sexual Science, 1880–1960

  • Not Straight From Germany: Sexual Publics and Sexual Citizenship since Magnus Hirschfeld, edited by Michael Thomas Taylor, Annette F. Timm, and Rainer Herrn

  • Jane Caplan, “The Administration of Gender Identity in Nazi Germany” in History Workshop Journal vol. 72 (2011).

  • Katie Sutton, “"We Too Deserve a Place in the Sun": The Politics of Transvestite Identity in Weimar Germany” in German Studies Review vol. 35 (2012).

  • Helga Thorson, “Masking/Unmasking Identity in Early Twentieth-Century Germany: The Importance of N.O. Body” in Women in German Yearbook, vol. 25 (2009).

  • Erwin J. Haeberle, “Swastika, Pink Triangle and Yellow Star: The Destruction of Sexology and the Persecution of Homosexuals in Nazi Germany” in The Journal of Sex Research vol. 17 no. 3 (1981).

  • Erwin J. Haeberle, “The Jewish Contribution to the Development of Sexology” in The Journal of Sex Research vol. 18 no. 4 (1982).

Videos:

Until next time, stay queer and stay curious!