Muscles, Drama, & Trauma (Queer on Screen, Part 1): “If there were no gays, there would be no Hollywood.”
4/28/202629 min
We’re kicking off Season TWO with a double feature. That’s right – Inspired by the culture’s sudden obsession with Heated Rivalry, the four of us sat down to talk through queer film and television from across our lifetimes…starting at the very beginning of film history.
Back when we were growing up, “mainstream” and “gay” didn’t exactly go together. So what did it feel like to see ourselves on screen for the first time? Sexy…inspiring…confusing…and yes, sometimes downright terrifying.
From Ben-Hur’s little “secret”...to some of the earliest queer characters in cinema… to things we’re still trying to process (gay cannibalism, anyone?), consider this your queer film festival. So join us as we look back at the portrayals that shaped us...for better, worse, and everything in between.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsRobert Reeves· Host0:00
[swish] [ding] Ruby.
Mick Peterson· Host0:04
It's been heard in the hills, whispered across the desert sands.
Bill Lyons· Host0:11
A sound you can't ignore, that grips you in its trance. It's a comfort and a joy with wisdom for all your days.
Jessay Martin· Host0:25
No, it's not a new season of Heated Rivalry. It's Silver Linings with the Old Gays.
Speaker 40:32
Yeah!
Bill Lyons· Host0:36
[upbeat music] It's true. We're back for season two. More great stories.
Mick Peterson· Host0:43
Thoughtful conversations.
Bill Lyons· Host0:45
And a whole lot of gay.
Jessay Martin· Host0:49
From just beyond the lights of Los Angeles, in steamy Palm Springs, California, it's Mick.
Bill Lyons· Host1:00
Robert.
Jessay Martin· Host1:01
Bill. Jessay. And this is Silver Linings with the Old Gays. Inspired by all of those who got hooked on Heated Rivalry last fall, today we're talking through something that shapes all of us, whether we realize it or not: movies and television.
Bill Lyons· Host1:22
Wait. Where's the gay?
Jessay Martin· Host1:24
What gay?
Bill Lyons· Host1:25
Exactly.
Mick Peterson· Host1:27
To kick off season two with a bang,