Lambda: the LGBT in Antiquity Podcast

Kybele the Intersex

This week's episode covers the story of the Agdistis. They were created through an immaculate conception with an intersex condition resulting in the manifestation of male and female sexual characteristics. The other Gods were so terrified by Agdistis, that they violently exposed and publicly castrated them.  This episode explores the Intersex condition in Antiquity. Whether human or divine, intersex conditions reflected a fundamental challenge to the established social order. Everything social role from the business deal called marriage to the citizen roles were challenged by the mere existence of Intersex conditions.  The story of the Agdistis is a divine archetype for how humans publicly exposed and addressed such conditions.

Dionysos the Queer

This week we are discussing Dionysos as a manifestation of all things Queer.  They are constantly shown moving between gendered expressions, never really settling on any one for long. This creates a being able to manifest the raw creative power of the primordial cosmos into the most powerful Olympian deity.  Dionysos is also shown in long lasting relationships with men and women in different stories. But where many Gods viewed their human loves as conquests, Dionysos shows far more respect and long-lasting affection than most.  In all, neither Dionysos' gender nor sexuality conform to societal expectations. Dionysos is an archetypal Queer!

Attis the Trans-Woman Part 3

Today's episode concludes our deep-dive into Attis, the Phrygian fertility deity assigned male at birth who underwent gender transition. After the emotional turmoil subsides, Attis settles into the house of Rheia. Though Attis had a few stumbling blocks at the beginning, she was able to grow in this affirming environment. Eventually Rheia and Attis got married and raised a foster child in Dionysos. Features of life such as  athletics and chariot races which Attis feared loosing actually did transfer over to her new life.  Rather than interpreting the story as a tragedy, the story of Attis can be read as one of a successful transition!

Lesbian Day of Visibility Special

Happy Lesbian Day of Visibility! Today we have a very special episode covering  stories of Lesbian desire. There is a spell found in the Greek Magical Papyri which was intended to bind Serapias to Herais, two women whose desire to be together transcended even death. The other stories of Lesbian desire are drawn from the incomparable poetry of Sappho. Sappho calls upon Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, to aid in her courting. Later she describes Anactoria  as the best sight in the world, and describes the visceral full-body reaction to seeing her girlfriend.  Wherever you are and whatever is going on in your life, take a few minutes to think about the Lesbians. Think about what it means to be a Lesbian, or else what it means to support Lesbians. Rejoice that we do still live in a world where Lesbian voices are visible and can help us shape our concepts of love and how love can be represented.  Have a good Lesbian Visibility Day!

Attis the Trans-Woman Part 2

This week we are continuing our deep-dive into Attis, a figure assigned male at birth who travelled to Asia and underwent a gender transition. Following the surgery itself, Attis experiences first the manic highs of gender euphoria before falling into a depressive low.  Rather than interpreting the anxiety through the lens of a hero acting shamefully and later regretting their acts, we will read the story through the lens of a woman lamenting a social death in the hours immediately after the change in social status.  Part 3 will focus on Attis' life after transition through other appearances in ancient media.