Bad Gays: A Homosexual History

Bad Gays by Huw Lemmey and Ben Miller explores queer history through the lens of its villains, failures, and controversial figures, challenging the idea that LGBTQ+ history should focus only on heroes and martyrs.

Based on their popular podcast, the book examines figures such as Emperor Hadrian, Margaret Mead, J. Edgar Hoover, Roy Cohn, and Philip Johnson, revealing how the concept of homosexuality—and particularly the image of the white gay man—was shaped and often corrupted through power, privilege, and politics.

Witty, provocative, and deeply researched, Bad Gays argues for rethinking queer politics beyond identity, urging readers to seek broader solidarity and a more complex understanding of LGBTQ+ history.