Shows
Cruising | Queer History and CultureMargaret Cho on her parents’ gay bookstore, BDSM during HIV/AIDS, and why Ellen hates herIconic comedian Margaret Cho joins us on the podcast to discuss the ups and downs of her career, and all of the ways queerness has always been part of her life. We cover topics like:
discovering gay people at her parents' gay bookstore
working at a lesbian BDSM leather shop
the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS in her communities
being a self-proclaimed life-long *** hag
starring in the first Asian-American family sitcom on television, and the eating disorder that came from that
racism and fatphobia in Hollywood
why Ellen Degeneres hates her
-You can find out...
2026-02-1749 minCruising | Queer History and CultureDiane on coming out at 77, going viral, and life as a nunOur friend Diane took the internet by storm this winter, when she started to tell her story of coming out and falling in love as a late-in-life lesbian. With over 5 million views, and thousands of adoring commenters, we figured it was time Sarah sat down with Diane to discuss her life in more detail. They unpack everything about Diane's 77 years of compulsive heteronormativity (she is, understandably, very excited to learn the word for that). From growing up in an abusive household, to seeking refuge at the convent (where she discovers alcoholism), and finally finding love (both romantically, and on...
2026-02-0359 minCruising | Queer History and CultureChecking In (We're Taking a Holiday Break)Thanks for listening!!
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-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio engineer), Rachel Karp (story producer/social media manager), and Jen McGinity (line producer/resident road-trip driver). Theme song is by Joey Freeman. Cover art is by Nikki
2025-12-1001 minCruising | Queer History and CultureCarmen Maria Machado on writing 'In the Dream House,' tops/bottoms, and the forgotten history of queer DVGuest Carmen Maria Machado is a writer of queer horror, essays, and short stories. She is most well-known for her memoir, In the Dream House, which came out in 2019, and really took the queer lit world by storm. In it, she brings light to a concept often shied away from - domestic violence and abuse within queer relationships.
While writing the memoir, Carmen did a lot of research into the history of domestic abuse within the lesbian community - the ways in which it is less visible, and the stories that made it into the archives despite...
2025-11-251h 15Cruising | Queer History and CultureElaine Stott on trying dr*gs at 5, getting kicked out of school bathrooms, and her journey to SurvivorElaine Stott charmed audiences back in 2019 on the 39th season of CBS's Survivor. She was a shining light on her season and proved that a lesbian could, quite easily, win over the hearts of America, as well as her fellow castaways. This is Elaine's story - one of tomboyishness, and skipping school, and fierce independence. We discuss growing up in small-town Kentucky (where she broke records for the most write-ups in school history), meeting her now-wife working at the factory, and finally achieving her dream of playing Survivor. This episode is for Survivor fans and newbies alike.
2025-11-111h 11Cruising | Queer History and CultureBrooke Webster on Meow Mix, Cattyshack, and being featured in Chasing Amy and Go FishSome of the most beloved lesbian bars of the past few decades have been the creations of our guest, Brooke Webster. This week, Brooke shares the stories behind Meow Mix (1996-2004) and Cattyshack (2005-2009). Her bars quickly became cultural phenomenons - from shoutouts on Ellen's coming out episode to features in Kevin Smith's cult classic lesbian film, Chasing Amy (1997). We also get to know Brooke herself, her rich history of activism, and her decades-long love story (lovers to enemies to wives).
-Learn more about Meow Mix!
-Follow the Instagram page for Meow...
2025-10-2854 minCruising | Queer History and CultureJess Dobkin and Lisa DeBoer on the "Lesbian Time-Out Kiss-In," Lesbian Avengers, and queer visibility in the WNBAIn 1999, Jess Dobkin and Lisa DeBoer formed the activist group Lesbians for Liberty. Their purpose was to push for visibility in the WNBA and specifically, at the New York Liberty games. In Act I, Jess and Lisa sit down with Sarah to discuss the history of lesbians and the WNBA, the story of the Lesbian Time-Out Kiss-In, and their experiences in activist groups like the Lesbian Avengers. In Act II, Jess remains to talk about some of her most radical pieces of performance art.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
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2025-10-1455 minCruising | Queer History and CultureOak Chezar on rejecting the patriarchy and more stories from Greenham Common Women's Peace CampRadical lesbian activist Oak Chezar spent three years protesting nuclear war at Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, and another five living on lesbian women's lands. Some of Oak's stories were aired on our original Greenham Common episode with Sue Say and, due to popular demand, we bring you Sarah's full conversation with her here today. Tune in for never-before-seen tales of creative actions, annoying law enforcement, living outside of the dominant culture, and finding love at the lesbian peace camp.
If you missed our Sue Say episode, or forgot its contents: Greenham Common Women’s...
2025-09-301h 15Cruising | Queer History and CultureRonnie D. Ron on creating Shakedown: LA's legendary Black, lesbian strip clubRonnie D. Ron (also known as Ronnie-Ron and Sha'ron Harris) came up in the LA Black gay disco scene, and soon went on to found Shakedown in 1996. Shakedown was a special place - where women celebrated each other, danced freely and exotically, and found lovers and family. Ronnie discusses the origins of Shakedown, the making of Leilah Weinraub's 2018 documentary, and why they eventually had to close their doors...
-Watch Shakedown on the film's official website ;)
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
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2025-09-1648 minCruising | Queer History and CultureTricia Cooke on making a lesbian B-movie trilogy, and her polyamorous marriage with Ethan CoenIn this episode, we sit down with Tricia Cooke — the creative force behind the recent lesbian comedies Drive-Away Dolls and Honey Don’t. Married to filmmaker Ethan Coen (yes, of the Coen brothers), Tricia has long identified as a lesbian, and we dive into how that identity intersects with her decades-long, straight-presenting poly marriage. The conversation spans two interviews a year apart: first, in Tricia and Ethan’s Manhattan home following the release of Drive-Away Dolls, and then more recently, as Honey Don’t hits theaters. From her early days in the film industry to the making of a queer B...
2025-09-021h 04
Cruising | Queer History and CultureLez Hang Out! Ep. 317: God Save the Lesbian Bar w/ Lisa CannistraciLeigh (@lshfoster) and Ellie (@elliebrigida) hang out with Lisa Cannistraci, the owner of Henrietta Hudson, the longest running lesbian bar in the country, (@henriettahudson), to chat about her experience running the bar. From taking Madonna on a tour of all of the lesbian bars in NYC, to Melissa Etheridge taking over the stage when the band started playing "Come to My Window", Lisa has seen it all. She talked to us about embracing the full spectrum of the LGBTQ community when she realized that she needed to adapt and make it a lesbian centric bar for the entire LGBTQ...
2025-08-1943 min
Cruising | Queer History and CultureThe Queer Family Podcast, S19 E1: Gays With Kids Founder Brian RosenbergAnother feed swap this week - with The Queer Family Podcast with Jaimie Kelton!
. . .
Jaimie sits down with Brian Rosenberg, longtime advocate, dad of three, and founder of Gays With Kids and GWK Academy. From navigating HIV and homophobia in the '80s to building a beautiful family through adoption and surrogacy, Brian shares his powerful story with honesty, humor, and heart.
He opens up about the challenges of coming out as HIV-positive before coming out as gay, what it was like to raise kids during a time when queer family building had...
2025-08-121h 02Cruising | Queer History and CultureShame Spiral, S1 E32: "You're Not Gonna Call Me Dirty Because You Feel Dirty" w/ Robby HoffmanCruising is taking a a short summer hiatus and, in the meantime, sharing episodes from other queer podcasts we love! First up is Shame Spiral with psychotherapist-turned-comedian Ely Kreimendahl. This is her hilarious interview with comedian Robby Hoffman (Hacks, Workin' Moms, The Chris Gethard Show, Odd Squad, Just For Laughs), which originally aired April 18, 2023:
"This week I spiraled out with ridiculously funny & brilliant standup comic and Emmy-winning television writer Robby Hoffman! We talked class shame, being the poorest and most religious Jewish kid in school, the way people disown and project shame on others so...
2025-08-051h 32Cruising | Queer History and CultureMichelle Axelson on Womencrafts Provincetown, the "dyke discount," and existing within a spectrum of a communityWomencrafts is one of only 13 feminist book stores left in the country, and a pillar of Provincetown, MA. This week, we sit down with Michelle Axelson, the owner of Womencrafts since taking over in 2015. Michelle shares the history of the shop (first owned by lesbians in 1976), how she found her place in Ptown, and why so many people have come out for the first time at Womencrafts (they offer a dyke discount) ...
Check out the Womencrafts website
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2025-07-2243 minCruising | Queer History and CultureSean Monaghan and Susanna Stein on Stud Country, Big Apple Ranch, and the history of queer country western dancingWe're diving into the rich history and culture of queer country western dancing. First, Sean Monaghan will share the story of Stud Country - how he discovered queer line dancing at the historic Oil Can Harry's, and how (along with his cofounder, Bailey) Sean founded Stud Country and brought about a renaissance of country western dancing to a younger generation of queers. In Act 2, Susanna Stein shares her own journey in the queer dancing scene, which began back in the 1970s. We discuss gender roles (leading vs. following) in queer partner dancing spaces, and how relationships can form and...
2025-07-0853 minCruising | Queer History and CultureHeather Purser on passing same sex marriage in her tribe, and meeting the love of her life at 7 years oldOur Guest this week, Heather Purser, made headlines back in 2011 when she single handedly passed same-sex marriage in the Suquamish tribe in Seattle, Washington. Today, Heather is a Suquamish lesbian activist and commercial diver! She shares her story of accepting her own identity, finding her childhood crush, and making space for herself within her community.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
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2025-06-2444 minCruising | Queer History and CultureHolly Near on Women's Music, Jane Fonda's Free The Army Tour, and music as activismHolly Near is a world-renowned singer and activist, known for producing music with powerful political messaging - she sings about war, racism, queer love and much more. She is one of the early pioneers of Women's Music (also known as radical lesbian feminist music) and the first lesbian to come out in People Magazine in 1975. Holly started her political career in the anti-war movement. Most notably, joining Jane Fonda's FTA (Free The Army) tour in 1971. We discuss all of her adventures from first meeting Jane - to starting her own record company - to the profound impact of her...
2025-06-101h 02Cruising | Queer History and CultureAngela Denise Davis on ZAMI NOBLA and moving through the world as a Black, blind, lesbian.This week, we sit down with Angela Denise Davis, the creative director and podcast host for ZAMI NOBLA - the National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging. She's also a scholar, organizer, minister, and Ukulele instructor. ZAMI NOBLA, founded in 2011 by Angela's partner Mary Anne Adams, is the leading advocacy organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbians over 40. Angela breaks down her experiences with aging and vision loss, her 10 months of training with the National Federation of the Blind, and coming to terms with her queerness as a Christian minister.
Thank you for listening to C...
2025-05-271h 03Cruising | Queer History and CultureI'm Baby and Denise Gaylord on Dyke DragFor the first time, we feature two interviews - two dykes, from two different generations - on the same concept: Dyke Drag. First, we'll hear from I'm Baby, a Brooklyn drag performer who started an event they call "Dyke Drag" which brings gender-diverse drag to sapphic spaces around the city. In Act 2, we meet Denise Gaylord, a local Ptown lesbian who ran an annual brunch also called "Dyke Drag" back in the 90s. Tune in to find out how, together, they brought Dyke Drag back to Ptown!
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
2025-05-1349 minCruising | Queer History and CultureRobin Tyler on the fight for marriage equality, and getting arrested for 'female impersonation'Robin Tyler is a history-making activist and stand-up comic, that's been on the scene since moving to New York City in the 1960's. Robin is a treasure trove of punchlines and queer history. She shares some of her most famous stories - like making a name for herself as a female impersonator, calling for 3 Marches on Washington, being the first out gay comic on national television, and successfully suing the state of California for the right to marry her late partner, Diane.
Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
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2025-04-2940 minCruising | Queer History and CultureActivist Sue Say on the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Encampment, organizing in prisons, and annoying the police as best you canThe Greenham Common Women’s Peace Encampment was an anti-nuke encampment outside of a US military base in England, that women (and loads of lesbians) occupied from 1981 all the way through 2000. Fed up with male-on-male violence, and society's expectations on women, Sue Say joined the protest in its very beginnings as an 18-year-old. There, every day was exciting, for better or for worse. Greenham women were evicted from their camps and terrorized by police every morning, they rebuilt every day, and by the end of the night found new creative ways to peacefully disrupt the military base next to th...
2025-04-151h 13Cruising | Queer History and CultureValery Hughes on nursing in NYC hospitals during the AIDS epidemic, and falling in love in the on-call roomValery Hughes is a retired nurse who spent her career working in HIV/AIDS care and research. She coauthored Nurses On The Inside: Stories Of The HIV/AIDS Epidemic In NYC with her colleague, Ellen Matzer, after working together in designated AIDS units for many years. Valery takes us behind the scenes of some of the city's busiest hospitals - from crossing paths with her first AIDS case in 1979, to all of the stigma around the disease, and the patients that touched her most. We also hear how Valery met her wife Mary working at Roosevelt Hospital (now Mt...
2025-04-0156 minCruising | Queer History and CultureComedian Kristen Becker on Summer of Sass, touring the Deep South, and getting stabbed in the chestKristen Becker is a standup comedian and activist based out of Provincetown, Massachusetts. Becker also has a long history of touring, living, and organizing in the Deep South. In 2006, she founded the "Dykes of Hazard," an all-lesbian comedy group that toured the Deep South for a decade. In 2014, Becker testified before the Louisiana State Legislature in support of the Louisiana Non-Discrimination Act. From there, she set out on a tour called "Loosen the Bible Belt" with pastor Jay Bakker. In 2017, she founded "Summer of Sass," a nonprofit that hooks queer teens up with a job and housing, and flies...
2025-03-1849 minCruising | Queer History and CultureJournalist Tracy E. Gilchrist on queer media, childhood crushes, and what 'holding space' means to herYou might know this week's guest, Tracy E. Gilchrist, as "the queen of queer media" or simply "the holding space lady." She reached internet fame last year when her interview with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande went viral during the Wicked press tour. But it goes without saying that Tracy is a whole person, who has lived a whole life, outside of that one video. Tracy has worked in queer media since the 90s - specifically covering queer entertainment and pop culture news for outlets like The Advocate and Out Magazine. We discuss how she ended up in this...
2025-03-0452 minCruising | Queer History and CultureBarbara Smith on The Combahee River Collective, lesbian identity, and Black feminismBarbara Smith is an award winning author, scholar, and activist. She is most well-known for co-authoring the Combahee River Collective Statement with two other queer Black women - her twin sister Beverly, and friend Demita Frazier. Barbara joins us to unpack the personal history that informed her groundbreaking Black Feminist politics. We discuss her multi-generational upbringing, growing up in Cleveland during the Civil Rights Movement, lesbian nightmares, and what she really meant when coining the phrase "identity politics."Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If...
2025-02-181h 15Cruising | Queer History and CultureActivist Michelle Crone on a lesbian nation, the Seneca Women's Peace Encampment, and strategies for radical civil disobedienceFor our first episode of season 3, Sarah sits down with long-time activist and radical organizer, Michelle Crone. Now in her 70s, Michelle has spent the better part of her life organizing women and building community in the upstate New York/Albany area. At 18, she began doing service work with communities in the Appalachian Mountains, but soon had to flee the country for (undoubtedly radical) reasons she is not allowed to talk about. She spent many of these years living in intentional community ("the lesbian nation") with other women, complete with talking sticks, ritual, and consensus-based decision making. In the...
2025-02-041h 08Cruising | Queer History and CultureIntroducing Season 3: Beyond the BarsCruising: Beyond the Bars will premiere next Tuesday February 4th, but we're doing things a little differently this season! Each episode will be a candid conversation between our host, Sarah, and a history-making lesbian or queer person about all kinds of sapphic spaces - not just bars! We'll cover queer bookstores, farms, peace encampments, line dancing, women's music, dyke drag and so much more! Tune in every other Tuesday to learn all about the rich history of queer spaces and community.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!
2025-01-2801 minCruising | Queer History and CultureCruising the Archives: Lillian FadermanLillian Faderman is a world renowned, award winning LGBTQ+ and lesbian historian, scholar, and author. Her books include Surpassing the Love of Men, Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers, Gay L.A., The Gay Revolution, Woman: The American History of an Idea, and many others. We've interviewed her once before, and we've quoted her in many of our other episodes. This extended interview was recorded in 2023 in Lillian's home, and includes some of Lillian's expertise on lesbian history and culture throughout the 20th century as well as stories from her own life. This episode is...
2024-06-251h 01Cruising | Queer History and CultureCruising the Archives: Ms. Mabel HamptonThis week, we're sharing the story of Ms. Mabel Hampton, in partnership with The Lesbian Herstory Archives. Ms. Hampton (1902-1989) was an African-American lesbian, an activist, a dancer, a singer, and a domestic worker. She was also a dear friend and mentor of Joan Nestle, one of The Lesbian Herstory Archives' founders. Between 1976 and 1988, Joan Nestle sat down with Ms. Hampton numerous times to record a series of oral history interviews. We've pulled bits and pieces from these tapes to share some of Ms. Hampton's life story. The Lesbian Herstory Archives is home to the...
2024-06-1856 minCruising | Queer History and CultureCruising the Archives: Pete SmithIn 1963, white supremacist terrorists bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young black girls. Despite the FBI and local investigators identifying four key perpetrators, no one was charged. Until 1977, when Pete Smith, a trans man, worked with the FBI to testify against and convict his uncle, Robert Chambliss. In partnership with Invisible Histories, we are releasing this 1988 interview with Pete.This episode is a part of a series we’re calling Cruising the Archives. We’re featuring extended interviews with LGBTQ+ icons from our own archives, as well as from the co...
2024-06-1141 minCruising | Queer History and CultureCruising the Archives: Patricia McCombsHappy Pride Month!! Starting this month, we will be releasing a series of episodes that we’re calling Cruising the Archives. We’re featuring extended interviews with LGBTQ+ icons from our own archives, as well as from the collections of queer and lesbian archives throughout the country. First up: Patricia McCombs. In December of 1974, Pat noticed that she and her Black and latinx friends were being discriminated against at CK’s, a North Side Chicago lesbian bar. In this interview, you’ll hear all about how she and the community successfully protested discrimination at CK’s and ho...
2024-06-0446 minCruising | Queer History and CultureRedz / Nancy Valverde | Los Angeles, CARedz is a little known former lesbian bar in East LA, which opened in the 1950s and catered primarily to Chicana lesbians. This is the story of one woman in particular who called this space a home: Nancy Valverde. Nancy is most known for her long fought battle with the LAPD over masquerading laws, spending dozens of nights in jail throughout the 1950s for her refusal to wear typical women’s clothing.Nancy passed away in March of 2024 just six months after our interview with her. This episode is for her. Thank you to Nan...
2024-05-2852 minCruising | Queer History and CultureThe Bush | Brooklyn, NYThere's a new dyke bar in Bushwick, and it's called The Bush! These are the stories of humans that run it, and the humans that call it a home.Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Nikke Alleyne, Justine LaViolette, Macon Reed, Loretta Andro Chung, and Sarah Hallonquist. Check out Macon's work here. Order Dyke Beer here.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If...
2024-05-0740 minCruising | Queer History and CultureBonus Content: Summer | Doc Marie'sOur full interview with Summer, security at Doc Marie's.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a...
2024-04-3044 minCruising | Queer History and CultureHershee Bar | Norfolk, VAIn 2018, the Hershee Bar community showed up at a series of Norfolk City Council meetings to fight for their bar. This is the story of Hershee Bar, the humans that ran it, and the humans that called it a home.Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Annette Stone, Jennifer Alomari, Andria McClellan, and Mamie B Johnson, as well as excerpts from 2018 Norfolk City Council meetings featuring various members of the local LGBTQ+ community. Thank you for...
2024-04-1658 minCruising | Queer History and CultureWelcome to Cruising!Cruising is a documentary podcast about lesbian bars, the humans that run them, and the humans that call them a home. Not sure where to start? You don’t have to listen in order! Pick your favorite city or your favorite bar and dive in.Season 1 follows creators Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity on their 2021 cross-country road trip to visit and document every lesbian bar in the U.S. Season 2 chronicles the current lesbian bar resurgence AND takes listeners back in time to historic lesbian bars of decades past!-Reviews help othe...
2024-04-0901 minCruising | Queer History and CultureAlice Brady's | New Orleans, LAAlice Brady owned and ran various lesbian bars throughout New Orleans between 1952 and 1978. The most notable was called Alice Brady's. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Ellen Frayle, Frank Perez, Diane DiMicelli, Randy Elwood, and Cindy Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us...
2024-04-0255 minCruising | Queer History and CultureThe Ruby Fruit | Los Angeles, CAWhen Mara and Emily opened The Ruby Fruit in 2023, Los Angeles hadn't had a lesbian bar since 2017. It is named after Rita Mae Brown's iconic lesbian novel Rubyfruit Jungle, and self-described as "a strip mall wine bar for the sapphically inclined."Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Mara Herbkersman, Emily Bielagus, Denise Jones, and Anna Goodman.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Support Cruising here! Cruising i...
2024-03-1936 minCruising | Queer History and CultureLost and Found | Chicago, ILEstablished in 1965, Lost and Found was the longest running lesbian bar in Chicago until it was sold in 2008 and became Lizard's Liquid Lounge. Join us as we celebrate former Lost and Found regular Linda's 80th birthday at Lizard's, and hear the stories of the community members who've found a safe space at this bar over the years.Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with Linda Barsaloux, Tracey Baim, Michelle Jones, and BarbThank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Support C...
2024-03-0552 minCruising | Queer History and CultureDorothy Downstairs | Chicago, ILIn February of 2020, Chicago's newest lesbian bar, Dorothy Downstairs first opened its doors. A month later, they were forced to close when the city shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. About 2 years later, they reopened, and they've been a staple of the Chicago queer community ever since!Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Lillian Faderman, Zoe Schor, Whitney LaMora, and Rainn Thomas.Zoe and Whitney are fundraising to open Chicago's only...
2024-02-2036 minCruising | Queer History and CultureMona's | San Francisco, CAMona Sargent (born Mona Nystrom) is widely credited as the owner of the first lesbian bar in San Francisco, and perhaps the first public lesbian bar in United States. Between 1933 and 1950 she owned a series of bars in clubs in San Francisco: Mona's, Mona's Barrelhouse, Mona's 440 Club, The Paper Doll, and Mona's Candle Light.Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with Beth Lemke, Clay, and Lillian Faderman. The episode also features archival tape of interviews with Mona Sargent, f...
2024-02-0657 minCruising | Queer History and CultureMaud's | San Francisco, CARikki Streicher opened Maud's in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco in 1966. The bar would be a fixture of the lesbian community there until it closed its doors in 1989. It's memorialized in the 1993 documentary Last Call At Maud's and in the hearts and minds of all those who called Maud's a home over the years!Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with Paris Poirier, Karen Kiss, Susan Fahey, Mandy Carter, and Jeanne Clarke, as well as audio excerpts f...
2024-01-161h 04Cruising | Queer History and CultureBonus Content: Ray | Doc Marie'sOur full interview with Ray, bartender at Doc Marie's.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/story producer/audio...
2024-01-0223 minCruising | Queer History and CultureDoc Marie's | Portland, ORIn the summer of 2022, the city of Portland excitedly awaited the opening of a new lesbian bar: Doc Marie's. It didn't go as planned. Join us as we uncover the full Doc Marie's story, exploring the dark side of the internet, the nuances of queer culture, and the unexpected challenges of opening a business.Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with Aundrenee Nash, Brandy Feit, Olga Bichko, Ken Batali, Robin, Anna, Danica, and Shane O'Neill
2023-12-191h 05Cruising | Queer History and CultureBonus Content: Anjali Kumaran | The Sports BraOur full interview with Anjali Kumaran, regular patron at The Sports Bra. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us @cruisingpod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook-Cruising is reported and produced by a small but mighty team of three: Sarah Gabrielli (host/s...
2023-12-1320 minCruising | Queer History and CultureThe Sports Bra | Portland, ORIn April of 2022, Jenny Nguyen opened the first women's sports bar in the entire world: The Sports Bra, in Portland, Oregon. From college basketball to the Women's World Cup to the Olympics, it's all playing at The Sports Bra! But you won't catch any men's sports on their TVs.Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode!This episode features interviews with: Jenny Nguyen, Thu Nguyen, Jen Barnes, Sadee Terwort, and Christina Roberts.Thank you for listening to Cruising...
2023-12-051h 00Cruising | Queer History and CultureBonus Content: Teryl Lynn Foxx | Les PierresThis is our full interview with Teryl Lynn Foxx! Teryl is a renowned New Orleans entertainer, who has been winning titles across the country for decades. Her accolades include: Miss Gay Louisiana 1992, Miss Gay Mississippi 1994, Miss Tennessee Continental 1996, Miss Essence International Classic 2014, Miss Daytona Beach Continental Elite 2016, and Miss Continental Elite 2016. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please s...
2023-11-2828 minCruising | Queer History and CultureLes Pierres | New Orleans, LAJuanita Pierre and Leslie Martinez opened New Orlean’s first Black-owned lesbian bar, Les Pierres, on the corner of Pauger St and N. Rampart St. No one can quite remember the exact date Les Pierres opened, but based on some other stories and dates, we can guess it would have been around 1980 and by 1990, they had closed. This episode features interviews with Teryl Lynn Foxx, Juanita Pierre, Mike Pierre, and Emelda Sterling.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by spo...
2023-11-211h 11Cruising | Queer History and CultureCharlene’s | New Orleans, LAIn December of 1977, Charlene’s opened on the corner of Elysian Fields and North Rampart Street in New Orleans. It was open for 22 years, until it closed in 1999. This is the story of the woman behind the bar: Charlene Schneider, lesbian activist and pioneer. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with Robert "Bobby" Fieseler, Linda Tucker, and Valda Lewis. It also includes archival tape of interviews with Charlene Schneider (1996 -1997) conducted by Marilyn McConnell, courtesy of Newcomb Archives and Nadine Robbert Vorhoff Collection, Newcomb Ins...
2023-11-071h 09Cruising | Queer History and CultureFemme Bar | Worcester, MAWhen we launched Cruising Podcast back in 2021, we had only twenty-one lesbian bars on our list. Little did we know, we were on the cusp of a lesbian bar resurgence. In the past two years, at least EIGHT new lesbian bars have opened across the country. And as Femme Bar co-owner Danielle Spring will tell you, Cruising is to blame for at least one of them!Thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode.This episode features interviews with: Danielle Spring, Julie Toupin, Stephanie Yuhl, Jennessa Burks, and Peyton Chandler
2023-11-0746 minCruising | Queer History and CultureIntroducing Season 2! - TrailerDid you know 8 new lesbian bars have opened in the U.S. since we launched Cruising back in 2021?! In Season 2, we’re taking you to each of these new bars. And we’re also heading back in time to explore lesbian bars of decades past. From 1930s San Francisco to 1990s New Orleans, and everything in between! Tune in to hear the stories of the humans that call these spaces home. Premiering November 7th, 2023.-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!Reviews help othe...
2023-11-0200 minCruising | Queer History and CultureBonus Content: Ruthie Boirie | Ginger'sThis is our full interview tape Ruthie Boirie. We usually only release full interviews on our Patreon page, but we feel like everyone deserves to hear the extended Ruthie story! Ruthie is a regular customer at Ginger's and the owner of Ruthie's Neighborhood Barbershop, a Park Slope staple for 26 years. She's also kind of a local celebrity. You can hear some of her stories in person AND get a great haircut by visiting Ruthie at her barbershop at 66 St Marks Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. --...
2022-12-1151 minCruising | Queer History and CultureGinger's | Brooklyn, NYOur Webby-honored season 1 finale! When we left on our road trip to visit every lesbian bar in the U.S. last fall, our own neighborhood lesbian bar, Ginger's, sat shuttered. Like all bars and restaurants in New York, Ginger's closed due to the pandemic in March of 2020. In September of 2021, we still had no idea if or when it would ever re-open. But a few weeks after we returned home from our trip, it was announced on Instagram; Ginger's was coming back! In our final episode of season 1, we're honored to share the stories...
2022-08-221h 12Cruising | Queer History and CultureAn Update From Cruising!Hi Listeners!A quick update for you all: we know we are overdue for another episode of Cruising and that is because we are working hard on our season 1 finale!! Our season finale will feature our very own 'home' bar, Ginger's, located in Brooklyn. Keep an eye out for this episode to drop sometime in August. And yes, this means we will be coming back for a season 2!! Subscribe and follow along on social media for more updates.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast...
2022-07-2102 minCruising | Queer History and CultureBabes of Carytown | Richmond, VABabes of Carytown, or Babe's for short, has been around since 1979. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast!-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners like you!-Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-For more Cruising adventures, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and...
2022-07-0439 minCruising | Queer History and CultureThe Lipstick Lounge | Nashville, TNThe Lipstick Lounge is Tennessee's only lesbian bar. It was established in 2002 in Nashville. These are the stories of the humans that run is and the humans that call it a home. Jonda Valentine founded The Lipstick Lounge in 2002 because she missed the community and fellowship that the church once provided her. A few months later, Christa Suppan became co-owner, and has helped to foster a sense of family there for 20 years. Krystal, a performer and bartender, is a member of that family. As are Lynn Hearn and BB McQueen, who have been friends since...
2022-06-2042 minCruising | Queer History and CultureMy Sister's Room | Atlanta, GAMy Sisters Room (MSR) is one of the longest running lesbian bars of the south. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home. Jen Maguire got her start in the Atlanta queer scene doing drag. And today? She owns My Sister's Room with her wife, Jami Maguire. Jill works security at MSR, and the job has helped her cut down on drinking while still allowing her to be an integral part of the community. Skyler raised funds for his top surgery at MSR--and landed...
2022-06-0640 minCruising | Queer History and CultureHerz | Mobile, ALHerz was founded in a Mobile, Alabama in October of 2019 and closed in 2023. It was a Black, queer, woman owned space. These are the stories of the humans that ran it and the humans that called it a home. From the outside, Herz might be mistaken for a strip club. And that's intentional, according to co-owner Rachel. Rachel owns Herz with her wife, Sheila, who wanted to open a lesbian bar in her retirement. Kyler, a bartender at Herz, moved to Mobile from Birmingham, and immediately got a job at Herz. And Beyonce, who...
2022-05-2334 minCruising | Queer History and CulturePearl Bar | Houston, TXLocated in Houston, Pearl Bar is our second stop in Texas. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Julie Mabry has wanted to open a lesbian bar ever since she visited her first one at 16 years old with her sister, Sarah. Sarah, who struggled through much of her adolescence, felt comfortable for the first time walking into that lesbian bar. And Julie noticed. Today, Julie owns Pearl Bar, and has created a safe haven there for all sorts of people. Like Paige, a...
2022-05-0943 minCruising | Queer History and CultureSue Ellen's | Dallas, TXSue Ellen's is one of two lesbian bars in the state of Texas. It's located in Oaklawn, Dallas's gayborhood. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Kathy Jack, was 18 years old when she started frequenting the Dallas gay bars in the late 1970s. Now the General Manager of Sue Ellen's, Kathy has over 40 years of Dallas's LGBTQ+ history to share. Erica has been coming to Sue Ellen's since 2008, and she now runs a group called Lez Be Friends Dallas, which aims to build...
2022-04-2543 minCruising | Queer History and CultureYBR Pub | Tulsa, OKYBR is the third of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars. Its full name is "Yellow Brick Road Pub" but everyone calls it YBR. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Kevie didn't know other gay people existed growing up in Checotah, Oklahoma in the 60s and 70s. But by 2000, she had opened her very own lesbian bar in Tulsa: YBR. Since 2000, YBR has been a home and a community to many. There's Amanda, YBR's General Manager; Sarah, former bartender and current therapist; and Erica...
2022-04-1140 minCruising | Queer History and CultureFrankie's | Oklahoma City, OKFrankie's is the second of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars welcoming the local queer and trans community. We visited Frankie's on a Tuesday, which happens to be family night at the bar. These are the stories of the humans we met there. Raven got her start in drag at 16, performing at the Wreck Room, Oklahoma City's now closed all-ages LGBTQ+ club. Nearly 30 years later, you can find Raven performing almost exclusively at Frankie's. Tracy has been going to lesbian bars in Oklahoma City since the late 1970s, and has owned Frankie's with her wife, Ann, si...
2022-03-2847 minCruising | Queer History and CultureAlibi's | Oklahoma City, OKOklahoma is the state with the highest number of known lesbian bars per capita, and is tied with only New York for the state with the highest number of lesbian bars total. Alibi's is the first of Oklahoma's three lesbian bars. These are the stories of the humans that run Alibi's and the humans that call it a home. Lily discovered Alibi's shortly after moving to Oklahoma to take care of her Grandmother. Krystal took over Alibi's in 2013, and met her wife Tiffany at the bar shortly thereafter. Lisa, a bartender at Alibi's, got...
2022-03-1444 minCruising | Queer History and CultureBoycott Bar | Phoenix, AZ What started as a bi-weekly pop-up party ultimately became a permanent fixture of the Phoenix LGBTQ+ nightlife scene: Boycott Bar. These are the stories of the humans that run Boycott Bar and the humans that call it home.Audrey Corley, the owner of Boycott, can often be found behind the bar with a wireless microphone in hand, amping up the crowd. And Nick, a longtime bartender and Boycott's unofficial "resident medic" is often right by Audrey's side. While the two of them serve up drinks with admirable speed, they are incredibly diligent about making s...
2022-02-2843 minCruising | Queer History and CultureGossip Grill | San Diego, CAEstablished in 2009, Gossip Grill is located in San Diego's "gayborhood" Hillcrest. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it home.Moe Girton opened Gossip Grill after "accidentally" turning another bar where she bartended into a lesbian bar. Elisha was kicked out for being gay at 17, and found a home and a family working at Gossip. Lisa is at Gossip at least a few nights a week, and we were lucky enough to meet her when we visited. Lisa is a member of The Sisters of Perpetual I...
2022-02-1457 minCruising | Queer History and CultureWild Side West | San Francisco, CAWild Side West, now located in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood, has been around for nearly 50 years. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that have called it home.Pat Ramseyer opened the bar in 1962 at it's original location in Oakland, CA, and successfully ran the bar until she passed in 2010. Billie Hayes inherited the bar, and despite having never even bartended, kept it alive and well for the years to come. And Donna has been visiting Wild Side West since she moved to San Francisco from Texas...
2022-01-3153 minCruising | Queer History and CultureWildrose | Seattle, WAWildrose, located in Seattle, WA, has been around since its opening night party on New Year's Eve ringing in 1985. These are the stories of the humans that have called it home.Bryher Herak founded Wildrose, running the bar for fifteen-plus years while balancing a successful law career. Lamar Van Dyke ran a tattoo shop next door to Wildrose for eighteen years, and was of course a regular customer. And today, Martha Manning and Shelly Brothers run the Wildrose in an ever-changing Capitol Hill neighborhood. Thank you for listening to C...
2022-01-1754 minCruising | Queer History and CultureBonus Content: Shirley J | Nobody's DarlingThis is our full interview with Shirley J. Ever since visiting Nobody's Darling in Chicago, it was clear we had to get an interview with Shirley. Not only is she a regular there, but everyone refers to her as The Mayor of Nobody's Darling. It a fair amount of tracking down and persuading, but we finally got Shirley on the phone. We started by talking about her life as a young queer person in 1970s Chicago. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like w...
2022-01-1034 minCruising | Queer History and CultureWalker's Pint | Milwaukee, WIWalker's Pint, located in the Walker's Point neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI, is a lesbian bar with the motto "Be nice or leave." These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Bet-Z Boenning founded Walker's Pint in 2001. Lex has been bartending at Walker's Pint for 17 years, and says her friendship with Bet-Z is what keeps her there. And regular customers Annie and Becky realized they were in love in 1995, after a near death experience. Thank you for listening to Cruising...
2022-01-0333 minCruising | Queer History and CultureA Message from CruisingHi Listeners! Here's a quick message from the Cruising Podcast team. We hope you are staying safe and healthy as we wrap out 2021. We're off this week for the holidays and will be back on Monday, January 3rd with our exciting Milwaukee episode, featuring Walker's Pint. 'Til next year! Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! -Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!-Support Cruising here! Cruising is an independent podcast. That means we're entirely funded by sponsors and listeners l...
2021-12-2701 minCruising | Queer History and CultureNobody's Darling | Chicago, ILNobody's Darling, in Chicago, IL, is a Black-owned, women-owned, and LGBT-owned craft cocktail bar. These are the stories of the humans that run it and the humans that call it a home.Renauda Riddle and Angela Barnes opened the bar in May, 2021, naming it after the Alice Walker poem, "Be Nobody's Darling." Shirley J has been a part of LGBT nightlife in Chicago since the 1970s, and is now affectionately called 'The Mayor of Nobody's Darling.' And Xavier Sumter planned to leave Chicago...until he started bartending at Nobody's Darling.
2021-12-2036 minCruising | Queer History and CultureBonus Content: Lisa Cannistraci | Henrietta HudsonThis is our full interview with Lisa Cannistraci, the owner of Henrietta Hudson in New York City. Henrietta's is located in a space that used to be another lesbian bar called Cubby Hole. Despite sharing a name, that bar is completely unrelated to the Cubbyhole that is still running in Manhattan today, and that we covered in episode 01 of Cruising. Please enjoy, and reach out to let us know who you want to hear more from next time. Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If yo...
2021-12-1328 minCruising | Queer History and CultureThe Back Door | Bloomington, INThe Back Door is the only queer space within a 50-mile radius of Bloomington, IN. These are the stories of the humans that run The Back Door and the humans that have called The Back Door home.Nicci and Smoove founded The Back Door together in 2013, after meeting at a mutual friend's memorial in Bloomington. Verna Vendetta and Corvin Rose both got their starts as drag kings at The Back Door, but they no longer perform there as much as they used to.Thank you for listening to Cruising...
2021-12-0650 minCruising | Queer History and CultureBonus Content: Lillian Faderman | LGBTQ+ ScholarWe interviewed Lillian Faderman at the very beginning of this process, before covering any of the bars. Lillian is a longtime scholar of lesbian and LGBTQIA+ history. She published her first book on the subject in 1981, Surpassing The Love of Men. Her most recent book came out in 2018, Harvey Milk: His Lives and Death. Lillian has been going to lesbian bars since the 1950s.Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! Reviews help other listeners find Cruising! If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!
2021-11-2932 minCruising | Queer History and CultureSlammers | Columbus, OHSlammers is a lesbian bar in Columbus, OH known for their pizza and their motto, "all walks, one groove." These are the stories of the humans that run Slammers and the humans that call Slammers a home.Marcia Riley founded Slammers in 1993. Deb Gordon met Marcia in a paint store that same year, and has been her "wing-man" ever since. Bobbi Moore went from working in social work to managing a bar. And all three of them know that Slammers is a place for family--both chosen and biological. Thank y...
2021-11-2235 minCruising | Queer History and CultureBonus Content: Deb Greenberg | CubbyholeWe have so many queer stories that don't make it into the main episodes. So, on our off weeks, we're going to start releasing some of our full interview tapes. This is the full interview with Deb Greenberg, the bartender from Cubbyhole. This was back in April, Cubbyhole had just reopened, and we actually weren't allowed to hang out inside because of COVID. That's why you're going to hear some traffic and construction. We're sitting outside, on the wooden floor of Cubbyhole's new, outdoor patio. Please enjoy, and reach out to let us know who you want to hear...
2021-11-1537 minCruising | Queer History and CultureA League of Her Own | Washington, DCA League of Her Own, or ALOHO for short, was founded in 2018. And yes, it's named after the 1992 film, A League of Their Own! These are the stories of the humans that run ALOHO and the humans that call ALOHO a home. Plus, the story of As You Are Bar, a new queer space opening soon in D.C. Laurel has been coming to ALOHO since it opened: so frequently, the staff jokes they should put a plaque on her stool. If General Manager Ally Spaulding isn’t behind the bar with a full face of colorful and...
2021-11-0833 minCruising | Queer History and CultureHenrietta Hudson | New York, NYHenrietta Hudson is a “queer human bar built by lesbians.” These are the stories of the humans that run Henrietta Hudson and call Henrietta Hudson a home.Owner Lisa Cannistraci opened Henrietta Hudson in 1991 in the West Village, in the midst of her activism work with Act Up. Chef Evelyn Reyes joined the team this year, decades after running away to NYC from Puerto Rico as a teenager. Noelia discovered Henrietta Hudson in an AOL chat room and has been coming ever since.-Thank you for listening to Cruising Podcast! If you like...
2021-10-2622 minCruising | Queer History and CultureCubbyhole | New York, NYCubbyhole, Manhattan’s appropriately named hole-in-the-wall lesbian bar, has been around since 1993. These are the stories of the humans that run Cubbyhole and the humans that call Cubbyhole a home. Hadley stumbled upon Cubbyhole for the first time one day after highschool. Deb Greenberg started working there after she came out at 45. Owner Lisa Menichino helped keep the bar open through 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy. Nina Buitrago is visiting Cubbyhole on its first day open since the pandemic, and for the first time since they came out as non-binary. LGBT Historian Lillian Faderman weighs in on what the ter...
2021-10-2532 minCruising | Queer History and CultureIntroducing Cruising - TrailerIntroducing Cruising Podcast! .Cruising follows creators Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity on a cross-country road trip to visit the last lesbian bars in America and share their stories. What is a lesbian bar, anyways? Listen to find out and catch a sneak peak of our first stop in NYC. Series premiering October, 2021. .Visit us at: www.cruisingpod.com, Follow our journey on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @cruisingpod . Hosted by Sarah Gabrielli; Reported and Produced by Rachel Karp, Jen McGinity, and Sarah Gabrielli; Music by Joey Freeman Support the sho...
2021-09-1405 min