<p>In this episode of <em>Our Dyke Histories</em>, we travel deep into the smoky <strong>lesbian bars</strong>, <strong>queer parties </strong>(house, rent, and otherwise), and clandestine love affairs of the 1940s–60s with three powerhouse historians: <strong>Joan Nestle</strong>, <strong>Hugh Ryan</strong>, and <strong>Alix Genter</strong>. Together, with host <strong>Jack Jen Gieseking</strong>, they explore how desire itself created new genders, new communities, and new forms of resistance inside spaces policed by the state and shaped by <strong>racism</strong>, <strong>class struggle</strong>, and <strong>McCarthy</strong>-era repression. </p><p>From <strong>Greenwich Village’</strong>s lesbian bar circuits to the <strong>Women’s House of Detention</strong> and the surprising queer history of Coney Island, the episode uncovers the joy, danger, and erotic electricity that defined mid-century queer life. Featuring the first half of Joan Nestle’s final interview, this conversation offers an emotional, <strong>intergenerational</strong> look at the bars, books, femmes, butches, and bodies that made public lesbian life possible.</p><p>**</p><p><strong><em>Join Our Community</em></strong></p><p>Want to be part of our community? We'd love to have you. 😏 Come comment, connect, and get your gayme on!</p><ul><li><strong>Newsletter</strong> to your inbox: Jack's <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://queergeographies.ghost.io/"><strong>Queer Geographies newsletter</strong></a> with detailed takes on each episode, &amp; more about lezbiqueertrans spaces across time</li><li><strong>Instagram</strong> for more dyke visuals and stories <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/ourdykehistories"><strong>@ourdykehistories</strong></a></li><li><strong>Read</strong> and follow our co-producer and collaborator, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.sinisterwisdom.org/podcast"><strong><em>Sinister Wisdom</em></strong></a></li><li><strong>Email</strong> us questions and comments at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]"><strong>[email protected]</strong></a></li></ul><p>**</p><p><strong><em>Credits</em></strong></p><p>Producer, Editor, Host, &amp; Creative Director: Jack Gieseking</p><p>Co-Producer: Julie Enszer &amp; Sinister Wisdom</p><p>Co-Producer &amp; Co-Editor: Cade Waldo</p><p>Assistant Editor: Mel Whitesell</p><p>Social Media: Audrey Wilkinson</p><p>Interns: Michaela Hayes and Sophie McClain</p><p>Consulting Producer: Rachel Fagen</p><p>Music: Our theme song: "Like Honey" by Kit Orion <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.kitorion.com/">https://www.kitorion.com/</a></p><p>CC-BY-NC-ND 2025. Write to us at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> for permission to use any of our content.</p><p></p>