Bad Gays

A Homosexual History

By: Ben Miller, Huw Lemmey

Narrated by: Ben Allen

Too many popular histories seek to establish heroes, pioneers and martyrs but as Huw Lemmey and Ben Miller argue, the past is filled with queer people whose sexualities and/or dastardly deeds have been overlooked. We all remember Oscar Wilde, but who speaks for Bosie? What about those 'bad gays' whose un-exemplary lives reveals more than we might expect?

Part-revisionist history, part-historical biography and based on the hugely popular podcast series, Bad Gays subverts the notion of gay icons and queer heroes and asks what we can learn about LGBTQ history, sexuality and identity through its villains and baddies.

From the Emperor Hadrian to notorious gangster Ronnie Kray, the authors excavate the buried history of queer lives. This includes fascist thugs, famous artists, austere puritans and debauched bon viveurs, Imperialists, G-men and architects. Together these amazing life stories expand and challenge the mainstream assumptions of sexual identity.

Amusing, disturbing and fascinating, Bad Gays puts centre stage the queers villains and evil twinks in history.

©2022 Huw Lemmey & Ben Miller (P)2022 W F Howes

A brilliant and well researched piece

A good narrator but there are a handful of glitches and alternative lines left in. Audible should double check the files.

Fun and interesting book

I will say that there are some editing errors along the way, the narration being repeated from time to time, and alternate takes not removed. But apart from that, the book was really good, and an interesting look at gay history.