Of course lesbian sex is “real” sex! Why wouldn’t it be? Yet the rabidly homophobic Nazis declined to prosecute lesbian sodomy charges, apparently on the grounds that it wasn’t. Moreover, most of Western history agreed: without penetration, lesbian sex was not “real” sex. How could this be? Discover the history of views toward female-female sex from the ancient world to today.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Support the show on Patreon at www.patreon.com/btnewberg. Research, writing, editing, and production by B. T. Newberg. Logo Design by Rachel Westhoff. Animation by Maxeem Konrardy. Additional credits, references, and more at www.historyofsexpod.com.

References

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Carney, Amy Beth. “Victory in the Cradle: Fatherhood and the Family Community in the Nazi Schutzstaffel.” Thesis. Florida State University, 2010.

Clark, Anna. Desire: A History of European Sexuality. New York: Routledge, 2008.

Dammann, Martin. Soldier Studies: Cross-dressing in der Wermacht. Berlin: Hatje Cantz Verlag, 2018.

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Gellately, Robert, and Stoltzfus, Nathan. Social Outsiders in Nazi Germany. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2001.

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Audio Credits

Podcast theme music mixed from “Gregorian Chant”, “Mystery Sax”, and “There It Is” by Kevin MacLeod. Short Shorts theme music mixed from “Gregorian Chant” by Kevin MacLeod and “Short Shorts” by the Royal Teens.

Additional music and audio from “Ancient Roman Music – Synaulia I” from Aemilius Paulus, “Heavenly Music Contact With Los Angels” from Transcending Sounds,  “Minstrel Guild” by Kevin MacLeod, “Heil Dir Im Siegerkranz” German Imperial National Anthem” from Robert McCauley, “1920s Hot German Jazz Compilation” by Giorgia Nikola Rigas Renadov, and “Marching 3” by Freesound.org.

Image Credits

“Jeanne Mammon & The Women of Berlin’s Cabaret” by Paul Greer

Hitler face – Needpix.com

SS Flag – Wikipedia