🏳️‍🌈In this podcast episode, Phenix and Meili take you through the history of queer music and highlight iconic female artists who have paved the way for more visibility and acceptance on a national and international level. They analyse how these musicians shaped the mainstream despite societal hurdles and ensure queer representation and diversity today

In conversation: drummer Philo Tsoungui, rapper Sookee and singer Wilhelmine

Queer Story is a production of BosePark Productions from Berlin. We have also translated this podcast into other languages with the help of artificial intelligence so that you can listen to it in your native language.

🇹🇷 Queer Story in turkish - Queer Hikayesi - link to Spotify 🏳️‍🌈

🇷🇺 Queer Story in russian - История “Квир” - link to Spotify 🏳️‍🌈

🇩🇪 Queer Story in german - queer story - link to Spotify 🏳️‍🌈

🪩 Chapter

00:00:00 Introducing Queer Story: Queer German History Podcast

00:04:01 Early Queer German Musicians: Wagner and Waldoff

00:09:19 Marlene Dietrich: Queer Icon and Hollywood Star

00:14:37 Philo on Being a Queer Musician Today

00:18:24 Eurovision Song Contest: A Queer Celebration

00:21:09 Patrick Lindner and Rosenstolz: 90s Queer Musicians

00:22:19 Sookee on Homophobia in German Hip Hop

00:25:51 Sookee's Queer Role Models and Experiences

00:28:32 Should Queer Musicians Come Out Today?

00:30:31 Kim Petras: Germany's International Trans Pop Star

00:32:18 Wilhelmine on Queer Representation in the Industry

00:35:44 The Future is Bright for Queer Musicians

📔 Summary of this episode

Dive into a special episode with Phenix and Meili that takes you on a comprehensive journey of discovery through the German history of queer music. In this episode, Phenix and Meili focus on how queer musicians have found their place in the spotlight and made queer identity visible despite numerous social hurdles. The episode starts with a look at the revolutionary role of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) as a stage for queer self-realisation. Phenix and Meili report on how personalities such as Conchita Wurst, Dana International and Jendrik set new standards with their powerful performances and made the ESC the ultimate platform for queer artists. 

The episode then takes you to the subcultural achievements of Rio Reiser, who, as the gay singer of Ton Steine Scherben, shaped the protest rock of the 1970s in Germany. Romy Haag, the legendary trans artist, created a safe space for queer culture and acceptance with her ‘Chez Romy Haag’. Patrick Lindner, a well-known pop singer, sets a clear signal for queer parenthood in public. Peter Plate and Anna R., the creative minds behind Rosenstolz, and Plate's partner Ulf Leo Sommer, show how queer love and identity can be expressed in pop. The episode then highlights Sookee, a female rapper who fights for queerness in hip-hop and drives the fight against queerphobia in the genre. In an international context, Kim Petras shines as a trans pop role model, inspired by her story and her courage. Kerstin Ott, known for her hit ‘Die immer lacht’, is another strong example of queer representation in pop music.

This episode emphasises the important role that queer female artists play in social change and creating more acceptance. Through their commitment, they encourage an industry that actively embraces pluralism, diversity and inclusion.

🎙️About

Queer Story is a production of BosePark Productions from Berlin. This podcast was translated with the help of artificial intelligence so that you can listen to the episode in your native language. We originally recorded it in 2021, then only in German. We really wanted to try out the possibility of speaking with our voices in your language. So bear with us if we still have an awkward way of speaking sometimes. We are very interested to hear what you think. If you have any comments or questions, please write to us at [email protected] 

🏳️‍🌈BosePark Productions GmbH 2024 

www.bosepark.com