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History

Review: A Feast of Panthers – Sean Eads

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The Feast of Panthers - Sean Eads

Genre: Historical, Fantasy LGBTQ+ Category: Gay Reviewer: Maryann Get It On Amazon About The Book Oscar Wilde is pulled into a dark conspiracy led by followers of an ancient Egyptian deity seeking to reestablish her terrifying religion—and she wants Wilde to be her new high priest. But Wilde does not stand alone, and as the coming conflict reveals stunning secrets about those closest to him, he realizes his greatest ally happens to be his fiercest nemesis—the Marquess of Queensberry. The Review Qui patitur vincint – “He conquers who endures” Oscar Wilde has become obsessed with “Stephen,” who he’s heard of … Read more

New Release: A Feast of Panthers – Sean Eads

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The Feast of Panthers - Sean Eads

QSFer Sean Eads has a new queer historical fantasy out: The Feast of Panthers. Oscar Wilde is pulled into a dark conspiracy led by followers of an ancient Egyptian deity seeking to reestablish her terrifying religion—and she wants Wilde to be her new high priest. But Wilde does not stand alone, and as the coming conflict reveals stunning secrets about those closest to him, he realizes his greatest ally happens to be his fiercest nemesis—the Marquess of Queensberry. Originally from Kentucky, Sean Eads is a writer and librarian living in Denver, CO. His first novel, The Survivors, was a finalist … Read more

In Which Christopher Isherwood Signs In Twice. Jeff Baker, Boogieman in Lavender

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In Which Christopher Isherwood Signs In Twice! By Jeff Baker I treated myself to a rather pricey early birthday present last month: a signed copy of Christopher Isherwood’s novel Prater Violet. The autograph from Isherwood (1904-1988) was what I paid an extra penny or two for. But I wound up getting more than I paid for. Not one, but two autographs, as well as something of a mystery. First, a little background. Christopher Isherwood was the well-traveled, openly Gay author of (among other works) “Mr. Norris Changes Trains” which inspired “Cabaret” and “A Solitary Man” which inspired the recent movie … Read more

Review: Honey and Pepper – A.J. Demas

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Honey and Pepper - A.J. Demas

Genre: Historical, Alt History LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay Cis Reviewer: Dan Get It On Amazon About The Book Newly freed from enslavement, Nikias is making a life for himself in the bustling city of Pheme, working at a snack stand, drinking with a group of anti-slavery radicals, and pining for the beautiful law clerk next door. When he sees his crush attacked in the street by an outraged ex-client, it seems it’s finally Nikias’s chance to be the hero. Kallion doesn’t need a rescue. What he really needs is a skewer of octopus fritters (with extra sauce) and a friend. … Read more

Let’s Hear It for Queer Vikings!

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Queer Viking - deposit photos

The Vikings: for most of us, they’re the peak of cis-het masculinity. But increasingly, research is showing that this simply wasn’t the case. I’m a Viking historian. I study queerness and gender in the Viking Age, and how those ideas have been weaponised by white supremacy in the last 200 years. The Vikings were the people who lived in Scandinavia around 700-1100 AD. They’re most famous for raiding, trading, and exploring throughout Europe and beyond: as far east as Russia, as south as Turkey, as north as Iceland and as west as Newfoundland, Canada. By the end of the Viking … Read more

HISTORY: The Real Dracula

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Vlad the Impaler: The real Dracula - Deposit Photos

Legends of Vampires go back centuries, but few names have cast more terror into the human heart than Dracula. However the fictional character, created by author Bram Stoker, was in fact based on a real historical figure called Vlad the Impaler. Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, was a 15th-century warlord, in what today is Romania, in south-eastern Europe. Stoker used elements of Vlad’s real story for the title character of his 1897 novel “Dracula.” The book has since inspired countless horror movies, television shows and other bloodcurdling tales. However, according to historians and literary … Read more

HISTORY: Were Witches Really Burned at the Stake in Salem?

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witch burning at the stake - deposit photos

Between 1692 and 1693, accusations of witchcraft were made in and around the town of Salem in Massachusetts, leading to the  arrests of about 150 people. These charges were taken seriously, and the ensuing trials resulted in the executions of 19 people.  But how were these “witches” executed? Were any burned alive at the stake, a common punishment for convicted witches in Europe? After all, at the time Salem was part of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, an English colony. The answer is no; witches in England’s American colonies were killed another way. “At Salem no one was burned. Instead, … Read more

Where Everybody Knows Your Name Is Walt Whitman—–Jeff Baker: Boogieman In Lavender

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Cave - pixabay

Where Everybody Knows Your Name is Walt Whitman by Jeff Baker Laugh on laughers! Drink on drinkers! Bandy the jest! Toss the theme from one to another! Beam up—Brighten up, bright eyes of beautiful young men! ——-Walt Whitman, from “The Two Vaults.” There were no Pride flags flying in New York City in 1859. But if you were gay there were places to discreetly hang out. One was literally underground. Pfaff’s, a bar and restaurant located beneath the sidewalk at 647 Broadway, featured a dining area and a bar, literally in a cellar. Named for it’s owner Charles Pfaff, it … Read more

HISTORY: Greece’s Gay Warrior Army

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gay greek warrior - deposit photos

In the fourth century BC, a fearsome army named the Sacred Band of Thebes was formed, and it was made up entirely of gay couples. Lawmakers in countries across the world have been banning LGBT+ people from their militaries for more than a century, from America’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and trans military ban, to the UK’s ban on LGBT+ people in the armed forces, which was only lifted in 2000. While the US insisted during the era of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” that LGBT+ service members “would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order, … Read more

HISTORY: The World’s Oldest-Known Porn Was Super Queer

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Queer Historical Porn

On a huge red basalt outcrop in the remote Xinjiang region of northwest China, the world’s oldest porn, the Kangjiashimenji Petroglyphs, can be found – and they’re super queer. The Kangjiashimenji Petroglyphs are bas-relief carvings that are thought to have been created between 3,000 and 4,000 years ago. Petroglyphs, or ancient rock carvings, have been found across the globe, but what makes the Kangjiashimenji Petroglyphs special is that they are graphically sexual. Discovered in the late 1980s by Chinese archaeologist Wang Binghua, the petroglyphs depict elaborate copulation and fertility rituals, queer sex, and gender non-conforming figures. Full Story from Pink … Read more