EPISODE · Oct 30, 2025 · 1H 8M
A Queer History of Witchcraft (feat. Marion Gibson)
from Historical Homos · host Sebastian Hendra
Wait, what’s so gay about witches, you ask?First of all — sit down.When I was a young f/hag in the late ’90s, Wicca was having a moment. The Halliwell sisters ruled the WB, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock were burying men in their back gardens, and I gobbled the GAGathon down with glee.Only later did I realize what made these witchy bitchies so alluring: it wasn’t (just) that they were different — it was that they were powerful.Outsiders who could fight back. Like the X-men...or democratic socialists.But were they always outsiders? No! In the ancient world, everyone dabbled in magic. Pagans love a hag with a herb garden.Then Christianity came along and ruined everything. AS ALWAYS.By the 20th century, witchcraft was beginning to mean "freedom" to a lot of repressed Westerners. Which might explain why nearly half of Wiccans today identify as queer.Join us for this Halloween special as we trace The Craft™ from ancient love spells to Victorian occultists, with brilliant guest Professor Marion Gibson.Together we ask:🧙♀️ When did “wise women” in the woods become “evil hags”?🔥 Why did we burn so many witches?🌍 How did colonialism export Europe’s hag-phobia worldwide?💅 And how did queer people turn witchcraft into a symbol of defiance, glamour, and spiritual fulfilment?So come on in, the cauldron-water is human temperature.–🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you pod. Beard and severed thumb sold separately.📱 Follow Historical Homos on Instagram and TikTok, and do sign up to our newsletter if you care about gay people, like, at all.Most importantly, if you like what you hear, please do leave us a ⭐ FIVE STAR ONLY ⭐ review.Episode CreditsWritten and hosted by BashEdited by Alex ToskasProduced by Dani HenionGuest: Professor Marion Gibson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
What this episode covers
Wait, what’s so gay about witches, you ask?First of all — sit down.When I was a young f/hag in the late ’90s, Wicca was having a moment. The Halliwell sisters ruled the WB, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock were burying men in their back gardens, and I gobbled the GAGathon down with glee.Only later did I realize what made these witchy bitchies so alluring: it wasn’t (just) that they were different — it was that they were powerful.Outsiders who could fight back. Like the X-men...or democratic socialists.But were they always outsiders? No! In the ancient world, everyone dabbled in magic. Pagans love a hag with a herb garden.Then Christianity came along and ruined everything. AS ALWAYS.By the 20th century, witchcraft was beginning to mean "freedom" to a lot of repressed Westerners. Which might explain why nearly half of Wiccans today identify as queer.Join us for this Halloween special as we trace The Craft™ from ancient love spells to Victorian occultists, with brilliant guest Professor Marion Gibson.Together we ask:🧙♀️ When did “wise women” in the woods become “evil hags”?🔥 Why did we burn so many witches?🌍 How did colonialism export Europe’s hag-phobia worldwide?💅 And how did queer people turn witchcraft into a symbol of defiance, glamour, and spiritual fulfilment?So come on in, the cauldron-water is human temperature.–🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you pod. Beard and severed thumb sold separately.📱 Follow Historical Homos on Instagram and TikTok, and do sign up to our newsletter if you care about gay people, like, at all.Most importantly, if you like what you hear, please do leave us a ⭐ FIVE STAR ONLY ⭐ review.Episode CreditsWritten and hosted by BashEdited by Alex ToskasProduced by Dani HenionGuest: Professor Marion Gibson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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A Queer History of Witchcraft (feat. Marion Gibson)
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