Passing Out: The Podcast
"If you need a good podcast and your interest in gay history has been awakened with It's A Sin, Passing Out: The Podcast is three episodes in on a fascinating series about LGBT people from the British Army. Really enjoying it so far. Atteeeen-shun!" @KathyBurke on Twitter.
PASSING OUT: The Podcast is a series of conversations with currently serving and veteran soldiers from the LGBTQ+ community sharing their stories, experiences and life lessons from their time in the British Army.
2021 marks the 21st anniversary of the lifting of the ban on LGBTQ+ soldiers serving in the British Military, host James Robert Moore discusses what it means to be out and queer in an environment that up until the year 2000 criminalised homosexuality - and hears the real life stories from those who had the courage to live in a world, and be part of an institution that didn't want to accept them.
These pioneers challenged the army's views on what it means to be queer and authentically themselves - and they are here to challenge your opinions too.
An initial three-part series has now been released. The first episode with Veteran Robert Ely was released on 12 January 2021 on the anniversary of the lifting of the LGBTQ+ service ban, and has moved people to tears with Robert’s devastating and still-raw account of his treatment as a gay man during the 1980’s.
Episode Two is with Warrant Officer Class Two Deborah Penny, who tells the fascinating story of her transition in the Army, and what it was like to be the first trans woman on the frontline in Afghanistan.
Episode Three is with Staff Sergeant Guy Lowe-Barrow MBE, who moved to the UK from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (where it’s still illegal to be LGBT+) after the ban had been lifted in the year 2000. Guy talks about UK Black Pride, what it was like growing up in a country that doesn’t accept you, and how supportive the Army had been on his journey to becoming authentically himself.
Passing Out has been featured as one of Spotify's top podcasts of the week, as well as on their Pride Podcast Playlist.
Click on the icon to listen on Spotify
Passing Out: The Podcast is produced by Peter Holland for Rebel Productions. Logo Design by Callum Hill.
