#18 An Unorthodox Nazi Resistance: ______ Surrealist Lesbian Activists

For a special Pride Month episode of Lab Libs, Megan tells Debbie about the importance of learning queer history through the love story of two gender non-conforming lesbian artists from the 1920s whose work was forgotten for decades. Rediscovered years later, Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore’s surreal photography, feminist writing, and rebellious art revealed how deeply they shaped both the Surrealist movement and anti-Nazi resistance in France. Together they created wildly ahead of their time art filled with drag-esque photoshoots, fashion, poetry, and political activism woven directly into their work. Later in life, the pair became the masterminds behind an elaborate and whimsical scheme to confuse and sow doubt among Nazi soldiers using nothing more than anonymous slips of paper. Naturally, Debbie learns all of this through crazy ad-libs and chaotic guesses. Then for the rabbit hole this week, Debbie tells Megan about the Freemasons, one of the world’s oldest and most mysterious fraternal organizations. But Debbie shares stories of some of their more charitable works. You won't want to miss this special episode of your favorite Science-y podcast.   Lab Libs: A yearly celebration A number from 1-5 A period of modern art A piece of feminine clothing A famous city in Europe A type of story A decade of life A type of news publication An animal that can be a pet A famous rock star of the 80s A major city in the Midwest USA   Sources: https://icarusfilms.com/if-artis7 https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2020/11/04/extract-or-how-artist-couple-claude-cahun-and-marcel-moore-resisted-the-nazis-with-their-paper-bullets https://www.splcenter.org/resources/stories/queer-people-have-always-existed-teach-like-it/ https://lithub.com/how-a-queer-couple-masterminded-a-nazi-resistance-campaign/ https://queerculturalcenter.org/claude-cahun/ https://camstl.org/exhibitions/and-i-saw-new-heavens-and-a-new-earth/ https://www.berlinale.de/en/2006/programme/20060123.html