Two pals. One museum artefact. Millennia of queer history unlocked before your very ears
Podcast episodes released fortnightly
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This episode is an epic one - we are talking about Claude Cahun, a queer Jewish Marxist surrealist photographer, artist and writer who ran a successful resistance against the Nazis in WW2 with Marcel Moore, their life-partner and step-sister. Join Harriet and Katherine as they explore Cahun's extraordinary life, their relationship with Moore and their complex gender identity. Starting off with their iconic 1927 photograph 'I am in training don't kiss me.'
Please make sure to check the content warnings for this episode, as we do touch on some heavy topics.
Objects discussed in this episode:
I am in training don’t kiss me by Claude Cahun, 1927. Jersey Heritage Collections.
Self-portrait (with Nazi badge between her teeth) by Claude Cahun, 1945. Jersey Heritage Collections
See the objects we talk about on our Instagram @queer_at_last (https://www.instagram.com/queer_at_last?igsh=OWRvanBqNzZnbmh4), and follow us on our other socials: Tumblr (https://www.tumblr.com/queeratlast?source=share) and Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/queeratlast.bsky.social).
This topic was suggested by one of our listeners! Have an idea for an object with LGBTQ+ significance that you want us to talk about? Let us know via the contact form on our website (https://queeratlast.com/).
Content warnings: this episode contains adult themes, swearing, mentions of suicide, mental illness, antisemitism, facism, imprisonment.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
21 Jul 2025
Inari and Kitsune
This episode we chat about Inari, the Japenese kami of rice, foxes, swordsmiths, brothels and prosperity, who presents as male, female, both and neither.
We also explore the tradition of Kitsune who are mischievous shape-shifting fox spirits with an insatiable craving for rice and tofu.
And, most importantly, we ruin our nerd credibility forever... Want to find out how Pokemon and Sonic the Hedgehog are related to ancient Japanese beliefs? Listen now!
See the objects we talk about on our Instagram @queer_at_last (https://www.instagram.com/queer_at_last?igsh=OWRvanBqNzZnbmh4), and follow us on our other socials: Tumblr (https://www.tumblr.com/queeratlast?source=share) and Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/queeratlast.bsky.social).
Have an idea for an object you want us to talk about? Let us know via the contact form on our website (https://queeratlast.com/).
Content warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, mistreatment of people with mental illnesses, and swearing.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
30 Jun 2025
Eleanor Rykener
This episode explores the life of Eleanor Rykener, a 14th-century trans woman in England, examining her experiences as an embroiderer, barmaid, and sex worker through historical records of her arrest and questioning.
16 Jun 2025
Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep
This episode explores the historical relationship between Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep, two ancient Egyptian men, and examines the nature of their bond.
2 Jun 2025
Tove Jansson
This episode explores the queer life, love, and artistic legacy of Tove Jansson, the Finnish creator of Moominvalley, revealing her profound impact on illustration, writing, and painting.
31 Mar 2025
Alexander the Great
Today we're talking all things Alexander the G(ay)reat! One of the most successful military leaders in history and a figure who continues to fascinate thousands of years later - join us as we cut through the debates around his sexuality like a sword through the Gordian knot…
This week's object is a mosaic from Pompeii, thought to date from around 120-100 BCE. Currently at Naples Archaeological Museum (https://museoarcheologiconapoli.it/), image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, violence, homophobia, death, war, colonization, human sacrifice and swearing.
Follow us on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/queeratlast.bsky.social) / Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/queer_at_last/) / Tumblr (https://www.tumblr.com/queeratlast)
Feedback, comments, questions? Email us at queeratlast@outloom.com, we'd love to hear from you!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 Mar 2025
Gentleman Jack
Today we are chatting about an educated, adventurous, elitist lesbian landowner from the Georgian period - Anne Lister, aka Gentleman Jack - who left us an incredible, unparallelled record of her life and her loves.
Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, religion, racism, alcoholism, mental illness and swearing.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
3 Mar 2025
Mitra–Varuna
Mitra-Varuna are two Hindu deities who were so close that they are referred to as one, and their name is the root for the sanskrit word for “friend”. Just two bros being bros, riding crocodiles and ejaculating into clay pots together.
Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, religion, colonialism, transphobia and swearing.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Feb 2025
Sappho
2,700 years ago, a Greek poet was so iconically gay that her very name now describes love between women, today we're talking Sappho!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
3 Feb 2025
Dr. James Barry
Dr. James Barry rose from poverty in the 19th century to become a doctor, travel the world and start beef with Florence Nightingale. He was also almost certainly a trans man, come explore his life with us!
Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, violence, death, transphobia and swearing.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 Jan 2025
The Little Mermaid
Today, we're diving into the many layers of queer subtext in Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale The Little Mermaid - and chatting Disney to boot!
Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, violence, death, suicide, mutilation and swearing.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
6 Jan 2025
Gilgamesh and Enkidu
One of the oldest stories ever told has at its core two men, equal and opposite, sharing a profound love for one another. Today we're talking about The Epic of Gilgamesh!
Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, violence, death, brief references to alcohol use and swearing.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
9 Dec 2024
William Shakespeare
Historian and queer theorist Dr. Matt Cook and playwright and actor Julian Crampton delve into the overlooked queer identity of William Shakespeare, uncovering a more authentic and inclusive narrative.
25 Nov 2024
The Publick Universal Friend
Historian and author, Jules Gill-Peterson, explores the life and legacy of the Publick Universal Friend, a non-binary spirit of God who defied 18th-century conventions and inspired queer liberation.
11 Nov 2024
Donatello’s David
We dive into 14th Century Florence to understand the gay gay history behind Donatello’s David, or as it’s known by Harriet specifically, “Donatello’s Bronze Twink”.
Content warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, nudity, pederasty, pedophilia, unhealthy relationship dynamics, death, homophobia and swearing
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
28 Oct 2024
Kit Marlowe
Queer playwright, man of mystery and for legal reasons definitely not secretly Shakespeare, today we look at a portrait of Kit Marlowe.
Content warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of sex, murder, death, genitals, mutilation, homophobia and swearing.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
14 Oct 2024
Bacchus
We’re chatting about Dionysus aka Bacchus - Ancient Greek god of theatre, wine, frenzy, debauchery and, perhaps most importantly, dildos… is there anything this guy can't do?!
Content Warnings: this episode contains adult themes and discussions or mentions of genitals, sex, pregnancy, violence, death, dismemberment, immolation, animal death and swearing
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
29 Sept 2024
Julie d’Aubigny
Get ready to feel inadequate as we delve into the history of the opera-singing, sword-fighting, nunnery-burning bisexual icon Julie d’Aubigny, a.k.a. La Maupin.
Content warnings: This episode contains adult themes and discussions of violence, death, pedophilia and underage relationships, homophobia and swearing
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Podcast Authority Score: 17 / 100
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