Ghosts in the Closet: Recent Episodes
Mary Rodgers & Ailey Yamamoto
Gay people are everywhere. They’re in your closets, in your podcasts, and if you’re anything like us, in your mirrors. One place they’re not? Your history books- but they should be. History is filled with queer figures that are often misunderstood, misrepresented and ignored, even if their lives and legacies were remarkable. Join hosts Mary Rodgers and Ailey Yamamoto as they explore forgotten queer history, discuss today’s queer issues, and uncover the ghosts in the closet.
Today we’re taking it back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, where massive studios churned out countless films and the stars of the black-and-white screen lived their glamorous, dramatic Hollywood lives. You know what else they starred in? Homosexual activity! Old Hollywood, much like current Hollywood, was a lot gayer than you might expect; they just had to be a little quieter about it. For lovers of The Six Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, this episode is for you.
Welcome back to another season of Ghosts in the Closet! Today we’re taking it back to the 60s to celebrate the life and legacy of the incredible Bayard Rustin, a gay man and leading activist in the civil rights movement and one of the key organizers of the historic March on Washington.
This episode brings us back to 1900s Japan, to a world of intimate female friendships, extended flower imagery, trailblazing lesbian literature, and the passionate feminist at the heart of it all: lesbian writer (and icon) Nobuko Yoshiya.
Today we’re diving into the life of doctor, researcher, author, and transgender pioneer Dr. Alan L. Hart, whose name definitely belongs in the history books. From saving thousands of lives with his tuberculosis research to becoming one of the first people to receive gender-affirming medical care in the US, tune in to learn more about his incredible life!
Welcome back to another season of Ghosts in the Closet!
Today we’re taking it back to the early 1900s, to the beginning of blues music. We’re talking flashy performances, unforgettable personalities, a talent big enough to change an entire musical landscape... And at the centre of it all, the profoundly influential and incredibly talented “Mother of the Blues,” Gertrude Pridgett- more commonly known as “Ma Rainey.”
This episode takes us back to the Edo period in Japan, where we’ll dive into the ways of the Samurai; or should we say, the gays of the Samurai! Turns out that Japan has a rich history of homosexuality, and Japanese warriors were at the forefront. Tune in to learn more!
Today we're heading to the land of the free and home of the brave, the USA! Though many Americans would probably adamantly deny it, it turns out that the White House can be gay too! This episode covers a few queer stories about past Presidents, their administrations, and most importantly, their first ladies. As it turns out, the White House is gayer than you’d think.
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Join us as we head back to the women’s suffrage movement of the 1920s, where women were getting the vote and getting it on- with each other, apparently! In this episode, we cover a few women who were prominent figures in the fight for women’s suffrage in the US, and queer trailblazers in their own right.
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Welcome back to Ghosts in the Closet! It’s been a hot minute, but we’re back and (hopefully) better than ever with an extra special episode. Today we’ll be heading back to the historic gay liberation movement of the 1960s, where we’ll be exploring the incredible life of lesbian civil rights leader, trailblazer, performer, and a so-called “guardian of the lesbians,” Stormé DeLarverie.
Episode 3 takes us back to ancient times, where- spoiler alert- gay people DID exist. If you were ever dazzled by the ancient Chinese dynasties or had an obsessive ancient Egyptian phase, this episode is for you! Join us in our discussion of two queer stories from long, long ago!
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Today’s episode brings us back to the Romantic Era, into the world of beautiful classical music, hard-to-pronounce names, and some very homoerotic letters. Famed pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin’s piano compositions are among the greatest of all classical music. But could he have been queer as well? Join us in our discussion of Chopin’s life, music, and (possible) queerness in our second episode!
Follow us on Instagram at @ghostsintheclosetpodcast !
Welcome to Ghosts in the Closet! Join us on a trip back to the 1700s as we explore the swashbuckling, pillaging world of female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Were they pirate lovers or pirate besties? How was life as a pirate lass? The answers to all your burning questions and more in our first ever episode.