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Dec 2023
40m 34s

The Invention of Heterosexuality

History Hit
About this episode

Sexuality is a funny thing. It's a social construct just as much as, say, virginity is.


We use words like heterosexuality and homosexuality because they are convenient, more than because they're wholly accurate.


What roots do these words have in 19th century Germany? How did the word 'straight' come from the gay community? And what is the future of sexuality and its terms?


Joining Kate today is the fantastic Hanne Blank, author of Straight: The Surprisingly Short History of Heterosexuality.


This episode was edited by Teän Stewart-Murray. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.


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