The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has launched ‘QueerSpace’, a limited series of its ‘AirSpace’ podcast that explores LGBTQ+ history and culture across aviation and space flight.
Hosted by the National Air and Space Museum’s Sofia Soto Sugar and The Story Collider‘s Erin Barker, ‘QueerSpace’ highlights how queer culture has shaped the past and future of the aerospace industry.
Launched on February 24, the podcast series features interviews that spotlight queer voices. It includes four episodes, which are being released every other week.
‘QueerSpace’ episode schedule and descriptions
February 24 – ‘As more men became flight attendants in the 1970s, gay men created a community within the industry that was uniquely supportive and welcoming. The next few decades would test that community.’
March 10 – ‘Science fiction writers often create entirely new civilizations where our social constructions can be upended and examined. This can give authors the chance to rewrite a world in terms of gender, sexuality and culture, making something that is more inclusive and often more interesting.’
March 24 – ‘Historically, queer-identifying people in the U.S. military have been forced out or forced to hide who they were. And while there is still a ways to go, a new group in the Air Force/Space Force is working to change policy, change minds and create opportunities for these service members.’
April 7 – ‘Themes of space, the future and queerness also intersect in art. Queer artists often use their creative works to show futures in space that are more diverse and inclusive than the realities of our present time and place.’
National Air and Space Museum reopens March 11
The Smithsonian has also revealed that the National Air and Space Museum’s building on the National Mall will reopen on March 11. However, the museum will close again on March 28 for a renovation project.
‘QueerSpace’ is available on all major podcast platforms and can also be accessed on the museum’s website.
Images: Smithsonian
