Secret City: Gay Washington's Hidden History

This podcast excerpt features an interview with James Kirchick, author of Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington, discussing the book's exploration of homosexuality in Washington, D.C. The conversation traces how, from World War II onward, homosexuality became conflated with national security threats and communist subversion, leading to the "Lavender Scare," a period of intense government persecution targeting gay individuals in federal employment. The interview highlights the paradox of gay men being simultaneously deemed security risks and possessing skills ideal for espionage due to their experience living double lives, while also showcasing individual stories of both persecution and resistance, notably Frank Kameny's activism. Ultimately, the podcast uses Kirchick's book to reveal the hypocrisy and pervasive prejudice faced by the gay community in Washington, particularly within the government, and the long fight for their civil rights.