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Artwork for Cruising

Cruising | Queer History and Culture

Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jennifer McGinity
LGBTQ+ Community
Lesbian Bars
New York
Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp
LGBTQ+ History
Los Angeles
Queer Domestic Violence
Lesbian Identity
Sapphic Spaces
Olivia Travel
Lesbian Relationships
Activism
AIDS Epidemic
Ruby Fruit
Brooklyn
Hershee Bar
Nuclear Weapons
Lesbians For Liberty
The Queer Ultimatum
WNBA

Conversations about lesbian bars, sapphic spaces, and beyond! Not sure where to start? You don’t have to listen in order! Pick your favorite city, space, or LGBTQ+ icon and dive in. Season 1 follows creators Sarah Gabrielli, Rachel Karp, and Jen McGinity on their 2021 cross-country road trip to every lesbian bar in the U.S., sharing the stories of the humans that run these spaces and the humans th... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes87Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Cruising

Latest Episodes

This episode was taped live at Sub Rosa: a queer bar and event space in Northampton, MA. We asked the local queer community to come out to celebrate the release of our book, The Lesbian Bar Chronicles, and share stories about the queer/lesbian spaces... more

We're looking back on the past five years of Cruising with some of our favorite stories from lesbian bars across the country. This episode airs simultaneously with the release of The Lesbian Bar Chronicles, a book adaptation of the first two seasons ... more

YouTube

This week, we're digging into the rich history activism and resistance in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our guest, Meg Riley, is a political organizer, advocate, and Unitarian Universalist Minister. Meg first moved to the twin cities in 1976, where she ver... more

YouTube

Mandy Carter is a long-time Black lesbian activist and community organizer. Born in 1948, Mandy spent her childhood bouncing between New York state children's homes. While that came with exceptional challenges for a young person, it also allowed her ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Meg Riley
Longtime organizer, advocate, and Unitarian Universalist minister
Sweet Willa / Minneapolis community organizing
Episode: Organizer Meg Riley on living in a lesbian co-op, the history of radical resistance in Minneapolis, and the ICE surge
Franco Stevens
Founder of Curve Magazine
Curve Magazine
Episode: Franco Stevens on the history of Curve Magazine, lesbian visibility, and extremely creative fundraising
Angeli Luz
Creator of the Lesbian Masterdoc, Tumblr-era researcher
Episode: Angeli Luz on creating the Lesbian Masterdoc and the backlash
Bernie Stark
Longtime player and former League Commissioner
Mary Vazquez Women's Softball League
Episode: Bernie Stark on women's softball, Title IX, and trans inclusion in sports
Heather Booth
Activist who founded the underground abortion service in Chicago in 1965
Activist, organizer
Episode: Activists Heather Booth and Martha Scott on their historic underground abortion network
Martha Scott
Worker for the abortion counseling service after Heather left; front-line interviewee
Activist
Episode: Activists Heather Booth and Martha Scott on their historic underground abortion network
Margaret Cho
Iconic comedian, actor, musician, and activist
margaretcho.com
Episode: Margaret Cho on her parents’ gay bookstore, BDSM during HIV/AIDS, and why Ellen hates her
Elaine Stott
Factory worker from Kentucky and reality TV star from Survivor Season 39
Episode: Elaine Stott on trying dr*gs at 5, getting kicked out of school bathrooms, and her journey to Survivor
Brooke Webster
Founder of Meow Mix and Cattyshack, and activist
Episode: Brooke Webster on Meow Mix, Cattyshack, and being featured in Chasing Amy and Go Fish

Host

Sarah Gabrielli
Host and editor with a focus on queer history and spaces, driving conversations that center personal narratives within broader cultural contexts

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 428 ratings
  • Great retelling of our herstory

    I guess I’m an elder because I lived through so many of these stories: the country / western dance craze, the womyn’s music festivals, the peace encampments, the marches on Washington. Thanks for finding these incredible story tellers and sharing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nohodyke
    United Statesa year ago
  • Obsessed!

    My algorithm threw up this podcast to me and I’m so glad it did! I love all things queer heritage, especially when it revolves around nightlife and finding out about people’s stories. This is engaging, well researched and such an important resource. I’ve burned through series one in a couple of days and can’t wait to delve into more! Thank you 🫶

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    S.Grotto
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • An incredible podcast

    This is such a work of art. The host is so thoughtful and such a kind interviewer. I appreciate the folks they have on this podcast so much. It’s such important work. Thank you Cruising!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TampaPierce
    United Statesa year ago
  • Valery Highs Episode

    Sarah conducted a thoughtful, insightful interview with Valery. Thank you for spotlighting her wonderful work with countless folks. I am now informed and so appreciative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    carolyn203986
    United Statesa year ago
  • Gossip grille

    Met the hosts at gossip grille and they were so kind, interesting, and asked such good questions! Really enlightening podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Libbypost
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show for its thoughtful, well-researched storytelling and respectful interviews.
Audience notes the episodes preserve important histories and introduce new generations to queer culture.
Fans appreciate how conversations illuminate personal experiences within broader social movements.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Organizer Meg Riley on living in a lesbian co-op, the history of radical resistance in Minneapolis, and the ICE surge
Q: What lessons do younger organizers take from this history?
The emphasis is on embodied, local action, intergenerational learning, and shared leadership—recognizing the need to pass on vision and ensure inclusive leadership while sustaining neighborly networks that can mobilize quickly.
Organizer Meg Riley on living in a lesbian co-op, the history of radical resistance in Minneapolis, and the ICE surge
Q: How did the community respond to ICE and federal pressure in the 2010s?
The community built signal groups, shelter networks, and neighborhood patrols, while also creating cultural spaces and mutual aid networks to protect and support immigrant and marginalized residents during raids and enforcement efforts.
Organizer Meg Riley on living in a lesbian co-op, the history of radical resistance in Minneapolis, and the ICE surge
Q: What role did women's and lesbian activism play in everyday life beyond protests?
Activation included mutual aid, running newsletters, organizing marches, setting up women's coffee houses, and creating education panels and community events that knit culture, safety, and political action into daily routines.
Organizer Meg Riley on living in a lesbian co-op, the history of radical resistance in Minneapolis, and the ICE surge
Q: How did the co-op housing model function logistically and financially?
The co-ops used a labor credit system where members earned credits for chores and could also pay into the system; meals were scheduled and shared, with low monthly costs that included food and utilities, enabling a dense, collaborative living environment.
Organizer Meg Riley on living in a lesbian co-op, the history of radical resistance in Minneapolis, and the ICE surge
Q: What sparked Meg Riley's involvement in organizing when she moved to the Twin Cities?
Meg came for college in Portland and was drawn to Minneapolis by community ties, cooperative housing, and the emerging lesbian feminist scene, which she describes as a space where she found belonging and purpose.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cruising

What is Cruising about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful series that centers lesbian bars, sapphic spaces, and LGBTQ+ history through intimate conversations with founders, organizers, performers, and cultural pioneers. Episodes mix archival context with personal narratives—ranging from activism and nightlife to publishing, film, and community spaces—creating a rich tapestry of queer culture across time and geography. The show stands out for its storytelling craft, deep respect for elders, and its ability to connect historical moments to present-day queer life, making it a compelling listen for anyone curious about how queer communities have built safe, meaningful spaces and culture.

Where can I find podcast stats for Cruising?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Cruising. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Cruising and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Cruising get?

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What are the audience demographics for Cruising?

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How many subscribers and views does Cruising have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Cruising has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Cruising?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cruising:

1. Two Dykes And A Mic
2. Made It Out
3. We're Having Gay Sex
4. American Hysteria
5. Happy Wife Happy Life

How many episodes of Cruising are there?

Cruising launched 5 years ago and published 87 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Cruising?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Cruising?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Cruising from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Cruising. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Cruising?

Recent guests on Cruising include:

1. Meg Riley
2. Franco Stevens
3. Angeli Luz
4. Bernie Stark
5. Heather Booth
6. Martha Scott
7. Margaret Cho
8. Elaine Stott

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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