Forgotten Queers

John Schlesinger

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 [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers

DanLevy

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 [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers

Jody Dallas

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 [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers

Assumption - By AA Sekhon

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 [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers

George Michael, Gone to Soon

A Brief History of George Michael Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forgotten-queers--6719466/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. Please follow me on Facebook, BlueSky at Gary Thoren. We must never forget our Forgotten Queers