We Live On: Telling Queer History and the Transformation of Silence episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 16, 2026 · 1H 3M

We Live On: Telling Queer History and the Transformation of Silence

from Minnesota Unraveled: Pulling on the Threads of Minnesota History · host Minnesota Historical Society

Silence was once a form of survival for many in the LGBTQIA+ community. But in Minnesota, a group called Telling Queer History set out to change that, by creating spaces where people across generations could share their stories openly, often for the first time. So how did Telling Queer History transform silence into language and action? What made those spaces feel safe, welcoming, and worth the risk of vulnerability? And why is intergenerational storytelling vital to LGBTQIA+ history? In this episode, host Chantel Rodríguez and her guests – TQH founder RJ Lawrence, and members Harry Waters, Jr., José Maria Herrera Tamayo, and Jayce Wepplo – dig into those questions, and explore how storytelling is an act of making history. We'd love to hear your thoughts about Minnesota Unraveled! Please fill out our survey ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://mnhs.info/podcastsurvey

Silence was once a form of survival for many in the LGBTQIA+ community. But in Minnesota, a group called Telling Queer History set out to change that, by creating spaces where people across generations could share their stories openly, often for the first time. So how did Telling Queer History transform silence into language and action? What made those spaces feel safe, welcoming, and worth the risk of vulnerability? And why is intergenerational storytelling vital to LGBTQIA+ history? In this episode, host Chantel Rodríguez and her guests – TQH founder RJ Lawrence, and members Harry Waters, Jr., José Maria Herrera Tamayo, and Jayce Wepplo – dig into those questions, and explore how storytelling is an act of making history. We'd love to hear your thoughts about Minnesota Unraveled! Please fill out our survey ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://mnhs.info/podcastsurvey

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We Live On: Telling Queer History and the Transformation of Silence

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How long is this episode of Minnesota Unraveled: Pulling on the Threads of Minnesota History?

This episode is 1 hour and 3 minutes long.

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This episode was published on April 16, 2026.

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Silence was once a form of survival for many in the LGBTQIA+ community. But in Minnesota, a group called Telling Queer History set out to change that, by creating spaces where people across generations could share their stories openly, often for the...

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