Trans People Were Sacred?
Summary
Hosts Karbin and Emily explore ancient trans history with guest Sophie Edwards, examining how gender transgression was linked to divine power in the ancient Mediterranean. They discuss the Scythian Inaris, trans feminine fortune tellers who advised kings, and the Roman Gali, priestesses of the goddess Cybele who maintained a sacred meteorite. The episode also highlights early Christian saints like Pelagius and Marinos, demonstrating that trans individuals have always existed and often held significant spiritual roles despite societal constraints.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: PC Richard & Son and Progressive
Introduction: Ancient trans people and historical context
The Inaris: Scythian diviners and their role
Ancient sources: Herodotus and the Hippocratic Corpus
Divine boundaries and gender transgression in shamanism
Preserving queer history and archives
Rome and Carthage: The arrival of the Magna Mater
The Gali: Eunuchs, priestesses, and Roman society
Sponsor: Tomboy X gender-affirming apparel
Sponsor: PC Richard & Son lease-to-own details
Spiritual sacrifice and the status of the Gali
Geographic spread of the Gali and cult practices
The rise of Christianity and the end of the Gali
St. Pelagius: The first trans saint honored by the Church
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St. Marinos: The transmasculine monk and his exile
Discussion: Transness, divinity, and personal growth
The myth of Tiresias and the gift of prophecy
The Bearded Venus and gender nonconformity in Cyprus
Conclusion, book plug, and final sponsors
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