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This is Forgotten Queers, a show about the queer figures history pushed aside. They were once stars, leaders, icons — but time, shame, and prejudice buried their names. We’re here...
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This is Forgotten Queers, a show about the queer figures history pushed aside. They were once stars, leaders, icons — but time, shame, and prejudice buried their names. We’re here to remember them, to honor them, and to say: you don’t get to forget us.
Cover art photo provided by Alexander Grey on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@sharonmccutcheon?utm_source=spreaker&utm_medium=referral
Cover art photo provided by Shannia Christanty on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@shanniacy?utm_source=spreaker&utm_medium=referral
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Cover art photo provided by Alexander Grey on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@sharonmccutcheon?utm_source=spreaker&utm_medium=referral
Cover art photo provided by Shannia Christanty on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@shanniacy?utm_source=spreaker&utm_medium=referral
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8 SEP 2026 · What if I told you that decades before Brokeback Mountain, before Heated Rivalry, and long before queer love stories became something publishers actively went looking for, one gay author proved that a love story between two men could sell? Hey, queers and weirdos! This week on Forgotten Queers, Uncle Gary is digging into the life and work of Gordon Merrick—a writer who was once enormously successful, widely read, and pretty damn groundbreaking…and yet somehow managed to slip out of our collective queer memory. And that needs fixing. Gordon Merrick was born in 1916 into a wealthy Pennsylvania family, and his life took him through Broadway, journalism, World War II, international travel, and eventually a writing career that would put unapologetically gay men at the center of popular romantic fiction. Not hidden in the background. Not coded so carefully that only queer readers knew what was going on. Not punished simply for being gay. Merrick wrote about gay men falling in love, having sex, fighting, screwing things up, getting jealous, wanting each other, and trying to build lives together. You know—basically all the messy shit straight characters had been allowed to do forever. His breakthrough came with 1970’s The Lord Won’t Mind, the first book in what became known as the Peter and Charlie trilogy. The novel told the story of two beautiful young men and their complicated romantic and sexual relationship. And people bought it. A LOT of people bought it. The Lord Won’t Mind became a bestseller, and Merrick followed it with One for the Gods and Forth into Light. At a time when mainstream American culture was only beginning to acknowledge gay people openly, Gordon Merrick was putting gay romance right there on the bookshelf. Were the books perfect representations of gay life? Hell no. His characters tended to be gorgeous, wealthy, privileged, and living lives that most queer people could only dream about. Critics sometimes dismissed his books as melodramatic, escapist, or overly sexual. But that criticism misses something important. Gay readers deserved escapism too. We deserved beautiful men falling desperately in love. We deserved romance, sex, jealousy, ridiculous decisions, happy moments, heartbreak, and happily-ever-afters—or at least the possibility of one. And Merrick proved something else that mattered enormously to the publishing world: People would buy it. One gay love story could hold its own. That might sound obvious today, when queer romance is a thriving genre and stories about men loving men can become international publishing and television sensations. But somebody had to help prove there was an audience in the first place. Gordon Merrick was one of those people. In this episode of Forgotten Queers, we’re looking at the man behind those books: his privileged but complicated beginnings, his early theatrical ambitions, his experiences during World War II, the relationships that shaped him, and the long road that eventually turned him into one of the most commercially successful gay novelists of his generation. We’ll also talk about why success didn’t necessarily earn him respect. Because queer history has a funny habit of deciding that only certain kinds of art are worthy of remembering. Sometimes the books that actually reached ordinary queer people—the books hidden under mattresses, passed between friends, discovered accidentally in bookstores, or read by someone who desperately needed to know there were other people like them—get dismissed as trash. And maybe some of it WAS trash. Who cares? Sometimes trash can save your fucking life. For a gay reader living in a small town in the 1970s, seeing two men presented not simply as tragic victims, villains, or punchlines but as people capable of desire and love could mean something enormous. Representation doesn’t always arrive wearing a tuxedo and carrying a literary award. Sometimes it shows up shirtless on the cover of a paperback. Gordon Merrick understood fantasy, romance, sex, and longing—and he gave gay readers plenty of all four. So why don’t we talk about him more? That’s exactly the kind of question Forgotten Queers exists to ask. This week, we’re pulling Gordon Merrick back off the forgotten bookshelf and giving him another look—not because he was perfect, not because every book has aged beautifully, and not because he single-handedly invented gay romance. He didn’t. But he was part of the generation that pushed open a door. And once that door was open, other writers could push it farther. Eventually those stories moved beyond the paperback rack. They appeared in bigger novels, movies, television, streaming series, and bookstores filled with entire sections of LGBTQ+ romance. There’s a long road between Gordon Merrick’s The Lord Won’t Mind and the queer love stories we celebrate today. This week, we’re going back toward the beginning of that road. So grab your coffee, pour yourself something stronger if the day requires it, get comfortable, and join me for the story of Gordon Merrick—a bestselling gay novelist who helped prove there was an audience hungry for stories about men loving men. Welcome back to Forgotten Queers. Queer history tried to forget him. We’re not going to. I love you—and don’t forget your fiber. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support.
Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers
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9 JUL 2026 · On this special episode of Forgotten Queers, we're celebrating the allies who have helped make the world a safer, more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people.I begin by exploring the lives and allyship of Norman Lear, Leonard Nimoy, and Paul McCartney—three people who used their influence, compassion, and voices to stand with our community.Joining me is my wonderful co-host, Sion, who highlights the incredible allyship of Bea Arthur, Dolly Parton, and Cher, whose decades of support have inspired generations of LGBTQ+ people.Most importantly, this episode is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend, Steven Cox. Steven was a true ally whose kindness, generosity, humor, and unwavering support touched countless lives. We recorded this episode in his honor, celebrating not only the famous allies who changed history but also the everyday allies like Steven who make the world brighter simply by showing up with love.Thank you for listening, and thank you to every ally who chooses compassion, acceptance, and equality. We hope you'll join us in remembering Steven and celebrating the people who remind us that no one changes the world alone. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support.
Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers
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16 JUN 2026 · Sir Elton John is one of the most influential musicians in history, selling more than 300 million records and creating timeless hits like Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer, and Your Song. After years of keeping parts of his personal life private, he came out publicly in the late 1980s and has since become a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness through the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Married to filmmaker David Furnish and the father of two sons, Elton's remarkable career has earned him Grammy, Oscar, Tony, and Emmy Awards—making him one of the few entertainers to achieve EGOT status. His story is one of extraordinary talent, resilience, reinvention, and living authentically. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support.
Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers
This episode includes AI-generated content.
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9 JUN 2026 · Ryan Murphy is not a Forgotten Queer but a prolific queer. Sitcoms, to drama to docudrama to horror and let's throw in a musical or two. What is your favorite? We also talk about The Bride! because you know it's cool!! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support.
Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers
Transcribed
2 JUN 2026 · Grant Wood best known for the painting American Gothic. While never coming out as gay and several times denying it there is enough proof that I felt he should be profiled. I wish there was more to talk about the guared artist Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support.
Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers
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26 MAY 2026 · Cassandra Peterson — better known to generations of horror fans as Elvira — is a horror icon, actress, writer, and savvy businesswoman who turned a campy late-night horror host into a decades-long entertainment empire. After early work in music, performance, and comedy (including time with The Groundlings), Peterson launched Elvira in 1981 and transformed the character into a pop culture phenomenon through television, movies, books, merchandise, live appearances, and licensing deals.
In 2021, Peterson publicly came out and shared that she had been in a long-term relationship with a woman for many years, opening up in her memoir Yours Cruelly, Elvira. Her coming out was celebrated by many fans and added another layer to her legacy as a queer cultural figure.
Equal parts spooky, funny, and entrepreneurial, Elvira remains proof that a woman can build a lasting brand, own her image, and stay gloriously weird while doing it. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support.
Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers
This episode includes AI-generated content.
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19 MAY 2026 · John Schlesinger was a groundbreaking British director whose work helped bring queer stories and complicated outsiders into mainstream cinema. Born in 1926, he began as an actor before moving behind the camera, where he directed acclaimed films like Midnight Cowboy, Sunday Bloody Sunday, and Marathon Man.
Openly gay within the industry at a time when many were forced to hide, Schlesinger often explored loneliness, identity, class, and sexuality in deeply human ways. Sunday Bloody Sunday was especially groundbreaking for its honest portrayal of a bisexual love triangle and one of the first same-sex kisses in a mainstream film.
His work earned multiple Academy Award nominations, and Midnight Cowboy became the only X-rated film ever to win Best Picture. John Schlesinger died in 2003, but his influence on queer cinema and modern filmmaking still echoes today. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support.
Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers
Transcribed
12 MAY 2026 · Dan Levy
This week on Forgotten Queers, we’re talking about the endlessly charming, brilliantly funny, and quietly groundbreaking Dan Levy. From growing up as the son of comedy legend Eugene Levy to becoming one of the most recognizable queer creators on television, Dan carved out a space where queer joy, awkwardness, love, and family could exist without tragedy defining the story.We dive into his early years in Canadian television, his work as an MTV host, and the creation of the cultural phenomenon Schitt’s Creek—a series that changed LGBTQ representation by giving us a world where acceptance was simply the norm. Along the way, we’ll talk about David Rose, sweaters worth more than my car, Emmy history, and how Dan helped redefine what queer storytelling could look like for a whole generation.We also explore his openness about anxiety, body image, and self-worth, and why his vulnerability resonates so deeply with audiences. Because Dan Levy didn’t just make us laugh—he helped a lot of queer people feel safe, seen, and maybe even a little hopeful.So grab your coffee, your emotional support cardigan, and join me for the story of one of modern queer culture’s most beloved voices.#ForgottenQueers #DanLevy #SchittsCreek #QueerHistory #LGBTQStories #QueerLegacy #QueerPodcast Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support.
Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers
Transcribed
5 MAY 2026 · Jody Dallas, played by Billy Crystal, was one of the first openly gay characters on American television—and not just a sidekick or a punchline, but a fully realized, messy, lovable human being.When Soap premiered in 1977, Jody wasn’t just groundbreaking—he was controversial. A gay man in a primetime comedy? That alone had people clutching their pearls.But what made Jody revolutionary wasn’t just his identity—it was his story.
Jody is introduced as a sensitive young man struggling with his sexuality, his family’s expectations, and a world that doesn’t quite know what to do with him. His mother? Not exactly waving a pride flag. His life? A chaotic mix of love, rejection, and trying to figure out where he belongs.And here’s where it gets complicated.At one point, Jody considers gender transition—not because he is transgender in the way we understand today, but because he believes it’s the only way to have a socially acceptable relationship with a man he loves. That storyline, while problematic by today’s standards, opened the door to conversations TV had never touched before.
Throughout the series, Jody’s romantic life is… let’s call it “eventful.”He falls in love more than once, gets his heart broken more than once, and constantly searches for something stable in a world that keeps shifting under him. His relationships highlight a painful truth of the time: queer people were often denied lasting, happy love stories.But then there are moments—beautiful, quiet, deeply human moments—where Jody finds connection.Including one unforgettable hospital scene where a fellow patient delivers a monologue about love—how it can happen more than once, how it can surprise you, how it’s never really out of reach. It’s one of the most tender affirmations of queer hope ever aired at the time.
Jody also forms a meaningful friendship with a lesbian character, offering a rare depiction of queer community on television—long before that was common.And while Soap is a comedy—wild, absurd, over-the-top—Jody’s story is often its emotional center.
💡Why Jody Dallas MattersJody Dallas walked so that characters on shows like Will & Grace, Queer as Folk, and beyond could run.He wasn’t perfect representation—far from it. His storylines were sometimes misguided, shaped by a culture that didn’t yet understand queer identity.But he was visible.He was vulnerable.And most importantly—he was human. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support.
Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers
Transcribed
28 APR 2026 · Assumptions is a character-driven novel that digs into how quickly we judge—and how wrong we can be when we do. The story centers on a group of interconnected characters whose lives overlap in unexpected ways. At first glance, each person seems easy to define: their identities, their relationships, their motivations all appear straightforward. But as the narrative unfolds, those initial impressions begin to crack. Secrets surface, perspectives shift, and what once felt certain becomes complicated. At its core, the book explores how assumptions—about identity, love, morality, and even ourselves—can shape our actions in ways we don’t fully understand. It asks: What happens when the stories we tell ourselves about other people turn out to be incomplete… or completely wrong? There are strong emotional undercurrents throughout—relationships are tested, truths are revealed slowly, and characters are forced to confront not just each other, but their own biases. The novel also touches on themes of belonging, self-acceptance, and the courage it takes to live authentically, especially when the world around you is quick to label and dismiss. By the end, Assumptions doesn’t just challenge how the characters see each other—it challenges the reader to reflect on their own snap judgments, and what might be hiding beneath them. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support.
Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky,TikToc,Twitter at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers
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This is Forgotten Queers, a show about the queer figures history pushed aside. They were once stars, leaders, icons — but time, shame, and prejudice buried their names. We’re here...
show more
This is Forgotten Queers, a show about the queer figures history pushed aside. They were once stars, leaders, icons — but time, shame, and prejudice buried their names. We’re here to remember them, to honor them, and to say: you don’t get to forget us.
Cover art photo provided by Alexander Grey on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@sharonmccutcheon?utm_source=spreaker&utm_medium=referral
Cover art photo provided by Shannia Christanty on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@shanniacy?utm_source=spreaker&utm_medium=referral
show less
Cover art photo provided by Alexander Grey on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@sharonmccutcheon?utm_source=spreaker&utm_medium=referral
Cover art photo provided by Shannia Christanty on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@shanniacy?utm_source=spreaker&utm_medium=referral
Information
| Author | Gary Thoren |
| Organization | Gary Thoren |
| Categories | History , Sexuality , Entertainment News |
| Website | - |
| forgottenqueers@gmail.com |
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