But We Loved

I just discovered this beautiful gay history podcast. The host is a wonderful interviewer & his subjects are fascinating. 👍👍

Jordan Gonsalves’ motivation for creating this podcast is a noble one: to shed light on the incredible courage and hard work of LGBTQIA+ activists over decades to change public perception of our community and to demand equitable treatment. As he shares in his introductory comments for each podcast, his intention is to speak back to his own internalized homophobic shame by bearing witness to the incredible contributions of queer people who have, in many cases, given their lives to change the future for the next generation. However, the titles Gonsalves has chosen for some of the episodes of this podcast are problematic and should be addressed. For example, the title “The Activist Responsible for Life-Saving AIDS Drugs” is deeply troubling for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that previous media has already created a hero narrative around the podcasts’ interviewee that does not reflect the reality of the time, the collective efforts of hundreds of people, or the outcome. It might be a palatable story with an appealing hero, but (as the research of the likes of Sarah Schulman, found in her groundbreaking book, Let the Record Show) it is just not true, and conveniently ignores the extraordinary contributions of people of color and women. Another episode, entitled “The History of Gay Cruising,” is, in fact the reflections of one man who was driven to cruise out of shame, NOT a look at the history of gay cruising. This needs to be addressed and remedied going forward. I listen to this podcast with a deeper level of skepticism than I might have because of it, and rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

As a queer man who remained deeply closeted during the early days of the AIDS crisis due to fear I was deeply moved by the show with Bill Glen (A Gay Man Called to be a Priest) this is a story every member of our community needs to hear. Jordan is producing amazing content that is providing a critical connection between generations.

Fortunate to have come across this soulful telling of our shared gay experience. I am old enough to remember a time when i truly thought i was the only gay person on earth—-and i lived in a metropolitan area. Those early years were painful and isolating. I am still recovering from that sense of isolation these many years later, but thriving nonetheless. Young people don’t appreciate how far we have come. I hope these stories provide context. Each generation has a responsibility on the shoulders of past. Translated: our Tran brothers and sisters need support. Lots of it!