Making Gay History Podcast Explores Stories from the Nazi Era
Making Gay History, the acclaimed podcast dedicated to uncovering and preserving LGBTQ+ history, debuted its 14th season on January 27, 2025, coinciding with International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This unprecedented 12-episode series delves into the often-overlooked experiences of LGBTQ+ people during the rise of the Nazi regime, World War II, and the Holocaust, shining a spotlight on a vital but under-discussed chapter of history.
This groundbreaking season marks the first audio documentary series to focus exclusively on the persecution, resistance, and survival of LGBTQ+ individuals under the Nazi regime. Episodes explore the devastating impact of Germany's anti-gay law, Paragraph 175, the resilience of LGBTQ+ resistance fighters, and deeply personal accounts of survival.
“These stories have been hidden in plain sight for far too long,” said Eric Marcus, Executive Director of Making Gay History. “By amplifying these voices, I hope to honor their memory, challenge historical erasure, and illuminate how the past resonates in 2025 as we confront a troubling rise in antisemitism and attacks on LGBTQ+ rights around the globe.”
Drawing from extensive archival research, including materials from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Shoah Foundation, and the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies, the series incorporates testimony from LGBTQ+ survivors and previously untapped sources. Listeners can hear firsthand accounts from individuals such as trans woman Lucy Salani, a Dachau survivor, and Pierre Seel, a Frenchman who endured unimaginable trauma during the war.
The season also grapples with the challenges of uncovering LGBTQ+ Holocaust testimonies, as survivor accounts often remain hidden within broader archives. Tagging systems and keyword searches frequently obscure references to queer experiences, while some testimonies reflect the difficulty survivors faced in openly discussing their identities. For example, gay German Jew Rolf Hirschberg gave two vastly different accounts of his life—one closeted and one candid—to different institutions. His story reflects both the complexities of identity and the lasting impact of societal prejudice.
This poignant series arrives at a time of increasing intolerance, serving as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked hate and the enduring need to tell stories of courage and resistance. Making Gay History continues to fulfill its mission of uncovering untold LGBTQ+ stories to educate, inspire, and preserve history for future generations.
“The testimony of those who lived through these atrocities is a call to action,” Marcus added. “They remind us that hate, left unchallenged, can destroy lives and communities. By telling these stories, we honor the past and equip future generations with the knowledge to build a more just and inclusive world.”
The podcast is available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the Making Gay History website.
This series is a production of Making Gay History, in partnership with the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies. It has been produced by Inge De Taeye, Nahanni Rous, and Eric Marcus, and was made possible thanks to ongoing support from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, Calamus Foundation, and Christopher Street Financial. Additional funding for the new season was provided by the Rubin and Gloria Feldman Family Educational Institute, the Zegar Family Fund, The Embrey Family Foundation, David Quirolo, Eric Lee, Ty Ashford and Nicholas Jitkoff, and numerous other supporters of Making Gay History’s mission to bring LGBTQ+ history to life through the voices of the people who lived it.
