UnErasing LGBTQ History and Identities: A Podcast

In the early days of Hollywood, when motion pictures and their stars (and their scandals) dazzled Americans, state censorship boards, a Supreme Court case, the pansy craze, and the Catholic-run Legion of Decency led to the most powerful censorship tool in entertainment: the Hays Code. 

History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom — and uniting all "We the People" with a more complete story of America. UnErased.org

Audre Lorde brought insight, as well as discomfort, to the Black, Women's, and Gay liberation movements of the 20th century. Today, her poetry and speeches are read and recited in classrooms, and you may read her quotes in email signatures. This episode unpacks how Audre Lorde is still asking us vital questions about our world and our place in it.

History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom — and uniting all "We the People" with a more complete story of America. UnErased.org

In 1989, on North Main Street in Sharon, Massachusetts, Muriel Moody Nelson led the dedication ceremony of a life-size statue commemorating her great-great-great-grandmother, Deborah Sampson. The statue depicts Sampson dressed half in Continental Army attire and half in traditional women’s attire. But Sampson's service in the Continental Army is only the beginning of this revolutionary life!

History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom — and uniting all "We the People" with a more complete story of America. UnErased.org

In this episode, nine women read a paragraph from the "Woman Identified Woman Manifesto." In order of their voice appearance, we extend a hearty thank you to Holly Cashman, Kate Way, Tess Fox Tree Andersen, Cheyenne Fox Tree Andersen, Triana Wilson, Shel Jackson, Nicole Pascarelli O'Brien, Deb Fowler, and Dinah Mack.

History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom — and uniting all "We the People" with a more complete story of America. UnErased.org

In May 1970, a group of badass women organized a direct-action "zap," a surprise protest, at the Second Congress to Unite Women. Wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Lavender Menace," they transformed the conference － and the women's movement － by forcing its members to confront a question they had largely avoided. 

History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom — and uniting all "We the People" with a more complete story of America. UnErased.org

In the 1950s, at a time of heightened fear, stigma, and persecution of homosexuals (the language of the time), a small group of women gathered behind closed doors, in secret, to find community in a society determined to keep them invisible.

But they didn’t stay behind closed doors for long. 

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History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom — and uniting all "We the People" with a more complete story of America. UnErased.org

On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride made history when she became the first American woman to travel to space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. She would also make history in another way. Buckle up for this deep dive into Sally Ride’s life and legacy!

History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom — and uniting all "We the People" with a more complete story of America. UnErased.org

Zora Neale Hurston was a brazen, boundary-breaking literary genius who was almost lost to history. You might be familiar with her contributions during the Harlem Renaissance, but that is merely the beginning of her indispensable relevance. This "deep dive and backstory" episode unpacks why.

Be sure to check the transcript for links to audio primary sources from the Library of Congress to hear Zora's narration - and singing - of ethnographic songs recorded at the Federal Music Project Office in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1939. 

We would love to hear from you! Email [email protected] and let us know where in the world you are listening, or what history we can highlight in a future episode from your corner of the world. Thank you for listening, and please subscribe, rate, and share this podcast! 

History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom — and uniting all "We the People" with a more complete story of America. UnErased.org

For decades, much of what we knew about Cathay Williams came from military documents and a newspaper article published in 1876. But as historians continue to study Cathay’s life, new questions arise. What if we’ve had the story backwards this entire time? 

History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom — and uniting all "We the People" with a more complete story of America. UnErased.org

Alice Austen's story is one of artistic brilliance and rebellion (not an unusual pairing), but her body of work, over 7,000 images, was almost lost to history. In this episode, you will learn how the social commentary in her photographs, taken during the turn of the century, is exceedingly relevant today, and how these photographs were discovered decades later.

History UnErased is putting LGBTQ history in its rightful place — the classroom — and uniting all "We the People" with a more complete story of America. UnErased.org