Eric Marcus originally did the research for a book, and recorded interviews with the people actually involved in historical events. These interviews are now available to the public on this podcast! In addition he has now expanded his research to include other historical information on the community.

All of society needs to listen to this podcast to truly understand the lgbtq community. Learn something fun and new!

Wow! What an extraordinary series. 13 seasons, over 100 episodes. When I learned about it, I thought I would just listen to a few, maybe people I had heard of, like Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, Bayard Rustin, Harry Hay, well known gay history makers. And there are plenty of them in the episode guide. But I soon learned that the names I had never heard of were just as interesting, sometimes more interesting to listen to. Edith Eyde is a revelation. She wrote a lesbian zine in 1947 (not a typo, 1947). She also wrote gay parodies of popular songs and original songs, too. This line struck me: “She must wear a mask on her heart And live in a world apart. “ I’m now systematically listening to every episode. They are fairly short, easy to listen to on a morning walk or in the car running errands. One thing that makes these so good is that they are well edited from old tape recordings, starting in 1989. Eric Marcus was in his 30s when he started doing these interviews, and quit his job at CBS to write a book from them (also he had been told a gay person was never going on camera). The production values are excellent, Marcus is a talented interviewer and a good listener. He expertly contextualizes each interview before and after playing the recording. This series is a national treasure, worthy of many listening hours.

This is an amazing podcast. So much first hand history and recordings that give us invaluable insight into gay history. The host is great and has obviously had an amazing career documenting all of this important history. I’m so thankful for all of our elders who paved the way for the queer community.

Anyone with gay friends and family, or anyone want to lear more should listen to this podcast. Veery well done, and highly informative. A suggestion for a future episode—check out the Indy Bag Ladies. They are one of the oldest, if not THE oldest, AIDS fundraising groups in the Us.

I have written before as I enjoy Making Gay History book (and your other works) and this podcast every week. This is a beautiful tribute to your Mom and to PFLAG Moms and Dads everywhere. I refer to your book frequently as a great resource for our PFLAG support group meetings and as I counsel other parents and families who love those identifying LGBTQ+. Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing you on TV or online again soon. ❤️🏳️‍🌈🤗 Very Proud PFLAG Mom with Trans son.

I have learned so much from listening to this podcast. As someone as was afraid to come out, if I had heard this earlier I would’ve come out sooner. It’s so very important to know our history as we navigate these perilous times of our country swinging toward Christian nationalism. Hearing how they protested and fought in the past gives me hope that we can protest and fight again now, to keep our freedom and defend those being attacked in our community.

Eric Marcus has been one of my guides since the 90s. Hearing the voices of our forefolx, in conjunction with the carefulness and kindness put forth in the creation and editing of this podcast, is unmatched. If you are LGBTQIA+ and want to truly and authentically know whose shoulders you are standing on… listen to Making Gay History. Thank you for weaving the narratives. Our next gen needs to know.

I often finish listening to Eric’s episodes partly in tears. I am so inspired by the courage his subjects showed over the course of their lives. As someone who dodged accepting his own sexuality until mid-40s, I often look back sadly on how much I missed by waiting so long. And his interviewees have done so much to try to make life and society better for us in both big and small ways. I have learned about so many sometimes well-known and oftentimes little known individuals who played a part in our civil rights movement. There is not a single episode that I don’t find gripping, and Eric is a masterful interviewer. I utterly love this show.

A truly great podcasts. I absolutely love all of the interviews I have listened to so far. It really makes me appreciate all of the activists that came before us in the LGBTQ+ community. I also recommend visiting the website, which has photos and more info about each of the interviewees.

This podcast is a rich and vivid portrait of gay life and people of 20th century America. It is fascinating and vitally important. It’s still astounds me that a person had the foresight to collect these personal histories way back then. Bravo!

This is our history and I’m quite happy it is being documented for generations to come. We’re stronger together and should never forget our past and who got us here.

Perfidious shill

Eric, your setting the scene creates a visual of sound by the familiar clicking of the tape recorder, inviting us into the room, describing what your quest is wearing, where they sit and their general appearance and overall look. Your questions are a time travel to the past with guest answers bringing their story to our present. You conclude beautifully explaining where your guests are now and year of their death and circumstances related to it. Then the clicking off of your familiar recording device. Thanks for the memories Eric Markus and your dedication in making them known.

Love the series.

I just listened to the coming of age series and as a child of the ‘80s I wasn’t aware of many of the details about the aids crisis. This story is beautifully told- thank you for sharing your incredible and personal story.

I just found this podcast thanks to vulture. I was drawn in by the history of the AIDS epidemic which I’ve always found very interesting and wanted to know more about. I have stayed because of the profound and moving portraits of regular but also exceptional people. I barely qualify for LGBTQ as a bisexual woman who has presented straight and lived straight for most of my life. However beyond any personal connection to the subject matter, I have learned an incredible amount and have been moved beyond words.

I find this a treasure trove of our history I absolutely love it I came out in 1973

Important…gripping…necessary…

Thank you for this season of personal accounts. I’m a 61 year old hetero woman who lost so many friends to AIDS. I’m still trying to make sense of what happened in the 80s and early 90s. Thank you so much for this ….❤️

I have loved this podcast for years but the episodes this year have been so rich and wonderful. I usually get choked up at least once in every episode. The sections about going to get the results of your first HIV test were so vivid and personal. It’s wonderful work, Eric

Thanks for sharing your personal so well!

Season two is epic, personal, historic - a window to a world that is gone. A world of innocence, a world of death, a world of activism. Wonderful work that cements our history in a truly intimate manner.

It has been so incredible to hear people who were there tell their own stories, and this latest season gets even more personal. Knowing this history is so valuable.

Season nine has been an incredibly powerful lesson. I can no longer listen to this podcast while driving because every episode ends up with me in tears. Thank you for keeping our history alive.

Well my life has been miserable and filled with Shame. I wish I was more courageous and fought for my rights and life like others. These stories are powerful.

Thank you for making each story so personal. What beautiful life stories. My favorite part is when you describe the scene for your interview and “Clip on the Mic”.

The interviews are gems!!! So grateful to hear the voices of so many that dedicated their lives fighting for the freedoms I have today!

I am always exited to hear this podcast! I am Lesbian as well so this is lovely to hear

I listen to this every night as I go to sleep. It’s not only incredible but resonant. Excellent job Eric! This show is a perfect slice of our culture! ❤️

What I would love if y’all collaborate with Netflix. For each PC episode you lovely creators do a reenactment telling the story visually. That’ll be amazing.

Always look forward to hearing this incredible podcast!!

Some episodes are transcendent, others are simply great, but all are necessary, urgent and informative. A favorite podcast!

Hello, I really love this podcast but these interviews are just to short. Why? Warmly, Keith

This thing is kind of a national treasure. What an archive.

Eric Marcus has done amazing work on telling a history that unfortunately children still don’t learn in school. This podcast is fun to listen to and very educational. This is essential listening for everyone who cares about LGBTQ equality.

Eric Marcus and his colleagues deserve a PulitzerPrize in History for this work. As listenable as it is important.

I love listening to these podcasts. Meeting our ancestors in these interviews is like a great family reunion of relatives, where you discover that you came from truly amazing people.

These interviews, with many people I was unfamiliar with, are treasures and I’m so glad they were saved. The show structure is simple: an introduction so the listener understands the subjects role in gay history and then about 15 minutes of the interview. I like that the interviewer mostly stays out of the way of his subjects and lets us hear them in their own words.

If you thought the LGTBQIA+ civil rights struggle began with Stonewall, then enjoy finding out about a 100 year of triumphs, defeats, and life for people fighting for their right to be who they are. This is such an eye opener and primer for courage, resilience, and survival.

This podcast does a wonderful job of exploring an unknown history in a moving and meaningful way. It gives a great recognition of the difficulties of the past, the progress that has been made, and all the work left to do. As a straight, cis, white woman, I’ve never encountered many of the difficulties of the LGBT+ community but this podcast gives me a background and understanding of the issues facing the people I love today.

Great work here. Always lovely to hear. Such a treasure. Thanks so much for doing this work

Making Gay History is one of so few resources telling the history of queer folks and queerness which is so broadly ignored or even directly denied. These stories are so crucial, and it’s amazing hearing them straight from the voices of those who made this history firsthand.

I love history in general, but I’m always looking for history missing from mainstream academia. I’ve learned a lot about the lgbt+ experience from this show and encourage anyone who questions why there is a lgbt+ movement to take a listen.

This podcast was a surprise find and I’m so thankful I did find it. I didn’t grow up knowing any gay history and reading about it can be hard to do but this podcast gives such happiness and pride to be a part of the community.

I have a brother whose married. Keep it up.

Thank you Eric Marcus for preserving history with all of these incredible first-person accounts. When I realized these were all full, recorded interviews with the title subjects, I was HOOKED. I immediately turned my best friend on to it, and I’ve been trying my hardest not to binge listen. This is a beautiful and intimate view of some truly iconic people. Thought provoking, heart breaking, I can’t say enough about this podcast. Worth every single minute you spend listening.

Every episode of this podcast is a connection to the fabric of humanity and a reminder to fight for a just world for us all. I end many of the podcast episodes with tears in my eyes, so proud of these trailblazers and people whose stories I am blessed to now know. Whether you are part of the community or an ally, you should be listening!!!

This is a great podcast. I've been a fan of Eric Marcus' writing for a long time and he's a great host. I love hearing his interviews from decades ago on the warts and all history of gay people. The interviews are very moving and sometimes even bring a tear to my eye (like the Monty and Jeanne Mandord interview). Thank you Eric and to all the brave people who have gone before.

I wish I could have listened to something like this while growing up in the 80's. All efforts to preserve and share our history are much appreciated.