The Attack on Culture in Europe

Dutch LGBT History: Middle Ages

Long before Amsterdam became a rainbow-colored haven, sodomy was a crime punishable by death in the Dutch lands. This episode uncovers the great 18th-century sodomy panic, a brutal moral campaign that attempted to eradicate a secret queer world. But in a stunning twist, the very court records meant to destroy this community became an accidental archive, preserving the codes and culture of a people who refused to be erased.

The Heteroflexible

What does it mean to be straight? Today we explore the surprisingly blurry world of "heteroflexibility," where some men who identify as straight have sex with other men—sometimes to preserve their marriages. We unpack why these men don't call themselves bisexual, how these encounters can paradoxically reinforce masculinity, and why new science is starting to see them as a distinct orientation.

Queer Icons

What makes a story, an artist, or an event "of queer interest"? This simple editorial question sends us on a warm exploration of the idea of the icon. We look back at the specific tradition of gay men and their divas, from Garland to Madonna, and consider how that lineage continues and changes with today's openly queer artists like Chappell Roan. It's a gentle look at where and how we find ourselves in culture.

The Attack on Culture in Europe

This week, we discuss a new report from the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe detailing a systematic, continent-wide playbook used by far-right parties to control media and cultural institutions. The episode breaks down the six key tactics, from intimidating journalists to dismantling public broadcasting, that are being used to silence dissenting voices. We explore the resulting "chilling effect" on creators and what it means when queer storytellers are pressured into self-censorship.

When Acceptance is Abstract

Is the famous Dutch tolerance for queer people a myth when it comes to the next generation? A massive new study of thirty-two thousand secondary school students reveals a complicated and surprising picture. This week, we unpack what this research means for the community and where the real fight for acceptance lies.