New podcast! We're discussing the Catterick skeleton, the remains of person buried in 4th c CE Roman Britain. Join us to hear about what a bead can tell us about gender, how press reactions to the skeleton have changed over time, and a Roman board game! queerasfact.podbean.com/e/the-catter...

New podcast! We're discussing the Catterick skeleton, the remains of person buried in 4th c CE Roman Britain. Join us to hear about what a bead can tell us about gender, how press reactions to the skeleton have changed over time, and a Roman board game! queerasfact.podbean.com/e/the-catter...

Hey listeners! We are in the middle of moving house, so today’s podcast episode with be delayed until tomorrow. Looking forward to sharing it with you then!

In today's episode we interview author Dennis Altman about his new book - Righting My World: Essays from the Past Half-Century. Join us for a discussion that spans 60 years of queer activism, from the HIV/AIDS crisis to the state of queerness as an inherently revolutionary act in 2026.

“We both are talents who paint our eyebrows. Unconventional as I am, I want to possess the promised heart of a beautiful woman like you.” This poem was written in the 1800s by the Wú Zǎo, describing her love for another woman, Qīng Lín. #queerpoetry

In 1999 the British Museum bought the Warren Cup for £1.8 million. The cup, made in 1st century Roman empire, depicts explicity male-male sex. It was the most expensive object the museum had ever bought. Want to learn more? We made a whole podcast on it! queerasfact.podbean.com/e/the-warren...

We were thrilled last weekend to interview the veteran activist Dennis Altman. Dennis has been writing about and fighting for gay rights since the 70s, and has just brought out his latest book 'Righting My World', featuring 50+ years of his writing. Can’t wait to bring you this interview in March!

“…with gloating eyes she drew me to her, and her hot lips travelled along my cheek in kisses; and she would whisper, almost in sobs, “You are mine, you shall be mine, you and I are one for ever.” -Carmilla, J. Sheridan Le Fanu, 1872

If you're a 5 USD patron of Queer as Fact, now is your chance to personally break this tie and singlehandedly choose our upcoming episode topic! Or if you're not, for just $5, this choice could be yours

This person, photographed in 1908, was a sworn virgins or burrnesha – practising a traditional Albanian custom that allows someone assigned female at birth to assume a male gender role by taking a vow of chastity. This tradition has been an accepted part of Albanian culture for centuries.

Long before the word ‘transgender’, 19th-century sexologist Havelock Ellis coined the word ‘Eonism’, using the name of French diplomat and spy Chevalière d'Éon to describe “people who took pleasure in behaving and dressing like the opposite sex”. So, who was d'Éon? #transhistory

“- this creature is animated by a spirit in perpetual motion, always ready to take-leave, to spring into action, which is to say passion, and to leap from one form to the next - ” - French writer Hélène Cixous describing Taiwanese lesbian author Qiu Miaojin

Had an incredible time tonight at this show - Tom Ballard and the amazing cast managed to capture the muddy history, egos, camp fabulousness, and moments of sincerity that made up the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom. Definitely recommend if you're in Melbourne! www.midsumma.org.au/whats-on/eve...

Dr James Barry (left) was a trans Irishman born in the late 1700s. He was one of the 1st Europeans in Africa to perform a Caesarean where both mother and baby lived. The baby was named after him. James is pictured here with an unknown man, possibly John, who worked as his servant for many years.

In Feb 2017, Australian senator Eric Abetz complained about a rainbow flag flown in the Department of Finance, saying: “…this particular flag is the flag of the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands, which has declared war on Australia. … It is the flag of a hostile nation…” (1/3)

Queer writer Oscar Wilde’s tomb in Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris. Since 2011 the tomb has been surrounded by perspex, to protect it from being eroded by the thousands of kisses left on the stone by admirers. Have you kissed Oscar’s tomb? #queerhistory #oscarwilde #gayhistory

I am reliably informed that this episode mentions my article exploring transmasculine readings of Cú Chulainn! Listeners might also be interested in my recent article looking queerly at Cú Chulainn's relationships with Fer Diad, Láeg and Emer: journal.fi/scf/article/...

Today's episode is on the Irish mythological figure Cú Chulainn. Join us to experience tragically poetic anal penetration, some universal themes that have compelled humankind of millennia, and the two coolest cows in the universe. queerasfact.podbean.com/e/cu-chulainn/

This 1st-century BCE grave relief shows two women, Fonteia Eleusis and Fonteia Helena, clasping their right hands - a Roman symbol of marriage. It was one of the few real-world examples of female-female relationships I was able to find researching our podcast on women in ancient Rome. #queerhistory

Settling in for a nice evening of finding out why quiche is gay... #queerhistory

By now we all know about 19th-century lesbian Anne Lister's coded diaries but what about of Hildegard of Bingen? A 12th century nun, Hildegard (also likely queer), invented Litterae Ignotae, her very own alphabet designed for writing in her own constructed language, Lingua Ignota.

Happy birthday Sherlock Holmes! Although not mentioned by Conan Doyle, 6 Jan is traditionally celebrated as Holmes' birthday. At Holmes' birthday party in 1941 that Rex Stout made a speech titled 'Watson Was a Woman', arguing that the only way to understand Holmes and Watson was as husband and wife.

Black lesbian writer and activist Audre Lorde (right) and her partner and fellow activist Gloria Joseph. Audre and Gloria lived together in Gloria’s home of St Croix in the Carribean until Audre’s death in 1992. The last thing Audre wrote was a note reading “Gloria, I love you.” #queerhistory

Happy birthday to jazz-age heiress Henrietta Bingham, born #onthisday in 1901! Henrietta's lovers included the artist Carrington, who painted this nude portrait of her. Check out our podcast to hear more about her! queerasfact.podbean.com/e/henrietta-... #bisexualhistory

Today we're discussing the 1988 Korean intersex lesbian film Sa Bangji! Join us as we learn about the historical events behind the film, discover how government policy inadvertently led to the creation of a queer movie, and admire some historical hats. queerasfact.podbean.com/e/sa-bangji-...

We have a new episode! Today we're talking about the ancient Italian ice-mummy known as Ötzi the Iceman. Join us to learn about the world's oldest pants, the ethics of archaeology, and and whether there really was sperm in Ötzi's anus. queerasfact.podbean.com/e/otzi-the-i...

NEW EPISODE! This time we're discussing Maryam Touzani's 2022 drama film, The Blue Caftan. Join us for a discussion of queerness in Morocco, the "ostentatious nudity" of the bathhouse, and resolving the tension between differing modes of love with grace and deep affection.

We had a lovely time last week visiting the Vic Pride Centre - picked up a bunch of queer books (possible future podcast episodes?) and also saw an exhibition by the artist Andrew Goodman, exploring worlds with different modes of gender, sexuality and reproduction, and inspired by Ursula K Le Guin!

#OnThisDay in 1978, Harvey Milk, one of the USA’s first openly gay politicians, was assassinated by one of his fellow San Francisco Supervisors, who opposed his policies fighting for gay rights.

Today is #IntersexDayofRemembrance - and this is the Italian-British intersex sculptor, Fiore de Henriquez... (1/6)

We're taking a break from podcasting over November so we want to hear from you! What queer books are you enjoying at the moment? Bonus points for queer history!

As we wrap up #AceWeek, I cannot recommend enough that you check out the work of historian @luciellaes.bsky.social. Luciella’s digital exhibition 'Nonlimerent // Monosexual' is an aro-ace history aro-ace from ancient Mesopotamian to the modern day! luciellaes.itch.io/nonlimerent-...

It's been a while, but we are getting on top of replying to the letters we've received in the mail. Thank you all for your wonderful words, artwork and souvenirs! If you want to write to us, you can reach us at PO Box 2240 Brighton Nth, VIC 3186, Australia. We'll do our best to reply!

"It is yin and yang. Light is the left hand of darkness ... Light, dark. Fear, courage. Cold, warmth. Female, male. It is yourself, Therem. Both and one. A shadow on snow." Genly Ai, 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin

New Episode! Today we discuss Ursula K. Le Guin's incredible 1969 science fiction novel, The Left Hand of Darkness. Join us to hear about ambisexual beings who defy gender norms, the sexist man who comes to love them and a sexually charged journey across a glacier. www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7h6pk-...

We hope you're excited for tomorrow's episode on Ursula K. Le Guin's science fiction novel The Left Hand of Darkness - I mean we hope you're excited for every episode we put out but this one is over TWO HOURS (2nd in length only to Robespierre!) so brace yourself. Some relevant emojis: 👽🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈❄️😭

Happy #InternationalLesbianDay to all the lesbians out there! Hope you're having a wonderful day. Here's a thread of a few historic lesbian stories (not necessarily stories about lesbians, but definitely stories that have a place in the history of wlw) to brighten your day. #lesbianhistory

Absolutely incredible find at the op shop today! I can't believe we just happened to come across these while Jasmine is working on a Star Trek episode - if only research were always this easy. #startrek #fandomhistory

The weather in Melbourne is very bad today so I have settled in for a cosy afternoon of preparing for our next podcast episode. #TheLeftHandOfDarkness #UrsulaKLeGuin

New episode! Today's episode is on the a Daoist god of homosexuality, Tu'er Shen. We talk about homosexuality in 18th century China, secret gay statues, and a present-day queer religious space! queerasfact.podbean.com/e/tuer-shen/

New episode! Today's episode is on the a Daoist god of homosexuality, Tu'er Shen. We talk about homosexuality in 18th century China, secret gay statues, and a present-day queer religious space! queerasfact.podbean.com/e/tuer-shen/

It's not queer history, but... we had a great time today at the Pride Centre watching the AFL grand final with friends (yes we admit it we are sports gays) - and I also picked up a copy of @darcygreenwrites.bsky.social 'After the Siren'! Super excited to read this queer footy romance.

"It was worth a wound–it was worth many wounds–to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask." -Dr John Watson in 'The Three Garridebs' We’ve been musing about how 19th-century readers would have interpreted the relationship between Holmes and Watson. What do you reckon?

Happy #bisexualawarenessweek! In 8th century Iraq, Abu Nuwas wrote love poetry to both men and women. This wasn’t unusual - the idea that someone could be attracted to multiple genders was widely acknowledged at the time! #bihistory #biweek

Happy #bisexualawarenessweek! Did you know that the 14th century Middle English poem ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ features Sir Gawain exchanging kisses with both Lord Bertilak de Hautdesert and his wife? Check out our podcast if you'd like to know more: queerasfact.podbean.com/e/sir-gawain...

What a happy coincidence that it's the start of #bisexualawarenessweek and #FiestasPatrias today - the perfect day to celebrate the bi Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo! queerasfact.podbean.com/e/frida-kahl...

New episode out! Today's episode is on Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic consulting detective! Join us as we talk about aromanticism, turn-of-the-century masculinity,and whether Watson is, in fact, a woman. queerasfact.podbean.com/e/sherlock-h... #sherlockholmes #queerhistory

This week we journeyed into the 1962 'Circle of Sex', published by sexologist Gavin Arthur. Gavin used 12 archetypes to explain the range of human sexuality. Here's the full list if you're curious about 1960s sexology - the text is from Michael R Meyer's The Astrology of Relationship (1976).

I'm struggling with the internal conflict between wanting to enjoy the spring weather, and wanting to actually be able to see my screen when I'm editing... (Sherlock Holmes episode coming to you soon!)

We had a great time last night chatting about Sherlock Holmes, aromanticism, masculinity, and whether Watson is, in fact, a woman. Very excited to bring this to you this episode on the 15th!