Hey, I'm Jeffrey Masters, and this is LGBTQ and A.

For today's episode, we are doing something a tiny bit different.

Last week we heard from the activist Martha Shelley.

She began her activism before Stonewall.

And then from 1972 to 1974, she hosted a radio show called Lesbian Nation.

To me, that fact, it kind of goes against everything I think about when it comes to queer people in representation, especially during that time.

You know, to have an out lesbian talking to other

lesbians on the radio.

The recordings, they are all housed at the lesbian Her Story Archives here in New York,

and I wanted to share one of Martha's interviews with you since we just had her on the show

and we're talking about them.

So this is Martha Shelley talking to the great Audrey Lord.

Audrey Lord is, I mean, it feels insufficient to say so simply,

but she was a poet and an activist,

and her writing was and remains wildly influential.

One of the things I love about this recording is that you can hear her in her own words

talking about her queerness, about her love for women.

So without further ado, this is Martha Shelley talking to Audrey Lord recorded in 1972.

This is Martha Shelley, as usual.

I'm out here in Staten Island with Audrey Lord, and she's going to read some poetry for you,

and the stars are out, and we're going to have a good time,

and I've already started because I've had some sherry.

...