Bad Gays
History
About
A podcast about evil and complicated queers in history. Why do we remember our heroes better than our villains? What can we learn by focusing on the dark side of queer history?
Episodes
- Mandelson: A Homosexual History - Episode Three
This week, on Mandelson: A Homosexual History, we cover the 1992 UK election and the birth of New Labour. Subscribe on Patreon to support our work and stay a week ahead on this miniseries! If Huw's Margaret Thatcher wasn't enough to turn y…
- Mandelson: A Homosexual History - Episode Two
Subscribe on Patreon to hear Episode Three now, get our monthly Extra Bad Gays episodes, and stay a week ahead on the miniseries. Last week we looked at Mandelson’s early years, and his move from a flirtation with Marxism to being firmly o…
- Mandelson: A Homosexual History–Episode One
Subscribe to Extra Bad Gays on Apple Podcasts or Patreon to hear Episode Two of Mandelson: A Homosexual History now, and to stay a week ahead as the miniseries continues. They call him the Prince of Darkness. Peter Mandelson's decades-long…
- Special Episode: Daniel Dunglas Home
Subscribe to Extra Bad Gays on Apple Podcasts or Patreon to support our work, get monthly bonus episodes, and join our community of listeners! Daniel Dunglas Home always knew he wasn't like the other boys. Not because he was gay, but becau…
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays February 2026: Mandelson, Gay Mafias, And Liza's Floor Mop
THIS IS A TRAILER! SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE OR PATREON TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE We have heard your pleas. The news has made them even more urgent. We're going to do a whole main feed Peter Mandelson episode in Season 10: but for now, here's a ta…
- Tom of Finland
The Bad Gays podcast episode "Tom of Finland" explores the artist's impact on gay masculinity and queer ideals. It discusses the evolution of his work from controversial depictions of gay sex to mainstream acceptance, while also noting cri…
- William Beckford
This episode discusses William Beckford, born in London in 1760, whose life was centered on property and immense wealth derived from chattel slavery. This enabled his pursuits as a novelist, MP, collector, travel writer, and builder, as we…
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays January 2026: Heated Rivalry
This trailer previews topics from Bad Gays, including the discourse around straight women loving gay romance, social media issues involving actors, and shipping. It also teases listener questions about relationships and the "fruit fly" phe…
- E. M. Forster
This episode discusses the life of novelist E. M. Forster, detailing his upbringing amidst Victorian propriety, his experiences with a secret society, and his perceptions of Italy and India as places of freedom.
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays December 2025
This trailer discusses the December 2025 episode of Bad Gays, covering topics including Christmas spirit, the cancellation of a Netflix Marines drama, the decline of homonationalism, and listener advice.
- Captain Moonlite
This episode covers the life of Andrew George Scott, also known as Captain Moonlite, exploring his journey from Ireland and New Zealand to his criminal activities in Australia, including a bank robbery and a sheep station hold-up.
- Tracey Wigginton
This episode discusses Tracey Wigginton, a woman from Queensland, Australia, who committed a crime in the late 1980s amid the AIDS epidemic. The media narrative focused on sensationalism, portraying her as a "lesbian vampire" rather than a…
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays November 2025: Tourism House Down Boots
The November 'Extra Bad Gays' episode discusses a dispute involving Ben and a gay underwear brand, Huw's writing residency in an Austrian castle, and the Netflix series 'Boots'. It also features a new theme song and a listener question abo…
- Angela Calomiris
This episode discusses the life of photographer Angela Calomiris, examining her reputation as a businesswoman in Provincetown and her hidden past as an FBI informant in New York. The episode delves into her role in naming names, secrets, a…
- Jacob Israël de Haan
Jacob Israël de Haan, born in the Netherlands in 1881, authored an early Dutch gay novel and later moved to Palestine. Originally a Zionist, he became critical of the movement due to its treatment of Arabs. His life, marked by a love for y…
- Charles Hitchen
This episode discusses Charles Hitchen, who operated in London at the turn of the 18th century, a period of significant crime. Hitchen amassed wealth by exploiting the criminal justice system and engaging with the culture of "molly houses,…
- Dorian Corey
This episode discusses Dorian Corey, a notable figure from the documentary Paris Is Burning. Corey's life is used to examine the history of drag, tracing its roots from early balls for enslaved people to modern drag culture, while also tou…
- Little Richard
This episode of Bad Gays discusses the multifaceted life of Little Richard. It examines his roles as a rock and roll pioneer, a Seventh Day Adventist preacher, and a queer drag performer known as Princess LaVonne.
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays October 2025
This is a trailer for an episode of Bad Gays. It previews discussions on Donald Trump, George Santos, a translated queer novella, and questions about sex and desire.
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays September 2025
The trailer for Extra Bad Gays discusses the A-Gays of Trump
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays August 2025
This is a trailer for an upcoming episode of Bad Gays, specifically the August 2025 Extra Bad Gays installment. The full episode requires a subscription via Apple Podcasts or Patreon.
- Special Episode: Coil (with Hannah Pezzack)
This episode of Bad Gays features music writer Hannah Pezzack discussing the experimental electronica band Coil. The discussion centers on vocalists Geoff Rushton (John Balance) and Peter Christopherson ("Sleazy"), their engagement with th…
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays July 2025
This is a trailer for the Bad Gays podcast, previewing a discussion about Mayor Pete. Subscription details for more content are provided.
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays June 2025, The Second: Touring, Representation, and Gaggony Guncles
This is a trailer for Extra Bad Gays June 2025, covering topics like touring, representation, and Gaggony Guncles. Support for full episodes is available via Patreon or Apple Podcasts.
- Special Episode: Gavin Arthur (with Maurice Casey)
Maurice J. Casey discusses the life of Gavin Arthur, grandson of US President Chester Allan Arthur, known as an astrologer, sexologist, Irish Republican, and hippie. The episode touches on Arthur's connections to Edward Carpenter and Allen…
- Extra Bad Gays June 2025, The First: Weird Vibes Pride, Edmund White, and Bisexual Dilemmas (TRAILER)
This trailer previews an episode of Extra Bad Gays discussing the vibe of Pride Month and the challenges facing queer movements. It also mentions a tribute to Edmund White and a listener's bisexual dilemma.
- Come See Us Live!
The Bad Gays podcast is touring live. Dates include Berlin on June 7, Sheffield on June 20, and Bath on June 22. More information and tickets are available at badgayspod.com/live.
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays - The Sex We Cannot Have
This trailer for Extra Bad Gays introduces a discussion prompted by a reader question concerning "the sex we cannot have." It invites listeners to consider what can be learned from this topic.
- Special Episode: Alexander von Humboldt (with Michael Huldt)
Michael Huldt discusses the life and work of German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who pioneered ecological thinking and whose career intersected with complex social and political issues of his time.
- TRAILER: Extra Bad Gays Gaggony Guncles
This is a trailer for the "Extra Bad Gays" podcast, highlighting the "Gaggony Guncles" advice segment. Subscribers get monthly advice and discussions on queer topics.
- Jacques de Molay
This episode of Bad Gays focuses on Jacques de Molay, the final Grand Master of the Knights Templar. It aims to present the historical facts about the Order, separating them from later occultist and shadowy theories.
- TRAILER–Extra Bad Gays February 2025: German Elections and How To Sauna
This episode of Bad Gays covers the recent German elections, analyzing the gains of the far-right while highlighting potential positive outcomes for the Left and challenging the 'anti-woke' thesis. It also addresses a listener question abo…
- Adele Spitzeder
Adele Spitzeder, whose family was involved in opera, started a scheme where she accepted deposits offering 10% monthly interest. She paid earlier investors with funds from new ones, accumulating the equivalent of over 500 million euros in…
- Anne Lister
This episode covers Anne Lister, a 19th-century English diarist and industrialist known for her extensive writings and pioneering role in gay marriage. She held multiple roles including landlord, businesswoman, and traveler.
- Larry Kramer
This episode profiles Larry Kramer, a writer and AIDS activist, exploring his complex legacy. It examines his privilege, perceived misogyny and racism, and how his personal views, including a hatred of gay male sex culture and gay male sup…
- TRAILER - Extra Bad Gays: Extra Bad Gays January 2025: Unity Mitford, Lavender Scares, and Gay Guys With Girlfriends
This trailer previews an episode examining Unity Mitford's diaries, exploring lavender scares in relation to Trump's executive orders, and offering advice on a relationship with two gay men.
- Abd Al-Ilah
The episode covers Abd Al-Ilah, Crown Prince of Iraq, who served as prince regent from 1939 to 1953. He was an authoritarian figure within the Hashemite dynasty, known for his antisemitism and personal connections, including an acquaintanc…
- Reed Erickson
The Bad Gays podcast episode profiles Reed Erickson, an eccentric businessman and philanthropist who financially supported trans research and gay history. His life is examined for its connections to sexology and the New Age movement, which…
- Albrecht Muth
This episode examines the life of Albrecht Muth, a man who claimed to be a German aristocrat and integrated himself into Washington's foreign policy circles. It explores the circumstances surrounding his marriage to socialite Viola Drath a…
- Elisar von Kupffer
This episode of Bad Gays focuses on Elisar von Kupffer, detailing his complex identity as a fascist femboy, Baltic count, orientalist white supremacist, editor, painter, poet, and religious founder.
- Tom Mitford
This episode of Bad Gays profiles Tom Mitford, a bisexual figure associated with the Mitford family. The discussion expands to encompass the six Mitford Sisters, examining their complex relationships and their representation of the English…
- Olive Yang
This episode details the life of Olive Yang, a gangster born royal in 1927 British colonial Burma. Yang identified as lesbian or possibly transmasculine, ran opium, was involved with the CIA, and participated in ethnic group negotiations.
- Extra Bad Gays December 2024: Luigi Mangione, Folk Hero? (Trailer)
The Extra Bad Gays podcast trailer discusses Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with the murder of Brian Thompson. The episode explores the phenomenon of assassins becoming folk heroes and the public's support for Mangione.
- Extra Bad Gays November 2024: The Transatlantic Anti-Trans Post-Election Backlash (Trailer)
This episode of Extra Bad Gays examines the backlash against trans people following Donald Trump's reelection, exploring how media affects political commentary and differentiating between US and UK center-left transphobia.
- Marianne Woods and Jane Pirie (with Indigo Dunphy-Smith)
Researcher Indigo Dunphy-Smith joins Bad Gays to discuss the 1810 case of Marianne Woods and Jane Pirie, two Edinburgh teachers accused of sapphic activity by a pupil. The episode explores the legal case and its connections to attitudes on…
- Extra Bad Gays October 2024: Meet Your New Gaggony Guncles
This episode of Bad Gays features listener questions on topics including sexual activity, relocating to Berlin, and a transmasculine person's concerns about identity. The hosts refer to themselves as 'Gaggony Guncles'.
- Jerome Robbins (with Liz Rosenfeld)
Today, special guest Liz Rosenfeld discusses the choreographer Jerome Robbins. Born in New York to Jewish immigrants, Robbins pursued dance and radical politics––until, under the threat of being blacklisted and exposed for his sexuality, r…
- Extra Bad Gays June 2024: Pride From Stonewall to Subaru (Trailer)
Starting with a reading from Martin Duberman's book Stonewall about the riots that kicked off a revolution, we reflect on the history of increasing corporate involvement in Pride, some unreasonably horny Subaru ads, a Raytheon Pride slogan…
- Christopher Marlowe (with Will Tosh)
Today's special guest is Will Tosh, Head of Research at Shakespeare's Globe, London, and the author of a new book, “Straight Acting: The Many Queer Lives of William Shakespeare.” Having answered the obvious question in the prologue, the bo…
- Rotha Lintorn-Orman
We close out our season with the story of a dashing tomboy who was the first woman to found a British political party. The only problem: that party was the British Fascists. Subscribe to EXTRA BAD GAYS, our monthly conversation about queer…