Washington is known to be a city of secrets. And, for many decades, one of the most dangerous secrets was that of homosexuality. Its spectre haunted the halls of power, and the true stories are only now coming to light.

Tara's guest on today’s podcast has written a sweeping history of gay involvement in government. And he has much to say about the past’s lessons for the present moment — for free speech, for open debate, and for a free press.

James Kirchick is an American journalist and a columnist at Tablet magazine. He’s also the author of the New York Times bestseller, Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington.

You can find Tara Henley on Twitter at @TaraRHenley, and on Substack at tarahenley.substack.com