Episode 1

Octavia E. Butler: 'This Ain't It, I'm a Hermit'

Published on: 31st July, 2024

Octavia E. Butler was a pioneer of science fiction and a trailblazer for Afrofuturism. From her early days as a shy, introverted bookworm to becoming the first science fiction writer to receive a MacArthur "Genius" Grant, Butler's work has left an indelible mark on the literary world.

She also was... anything but heterosexual? Friends claimed she was a lesbian. Butler proclaimed herself a hermit. We'll get between the covers and not under the sheets with Butler as we find out more about her life, legacy and mysterious personal life.

Kickass Queers shares the incredible life stories of amazing lesbian, gay, transgender, gender-nonconforming and otherwise queer people.

Learn More & Support the Cast

If you love this episode, remember to show it by subscribing, rating, reviewing and sharing with your friends. Or, better yet, leave us a tip at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kickassqueers

Buy Octavia E. Butler books and support the cast: https://amzn.to/4d2LrFn

Email: kickassqueers@gmail.com

Instagram: @kickassqueerscast

Facebook: facebook.com/kickassqueers

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Kickass Queers

About the Podcast

Kickass Queers
An LGBTQ+ history podcast.
Kickass Queers explores the lives and achievements of notable LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history. The show delves into the fascinating and often underrepresented stories of queer trailblazers, offering a mix of humor, emotion, and insightful commentary on their contributions to society.

Each episode focuses on a different figure or topic.

Co-host Larry Womack is a journalist with a diverse publication history, and Rachel Stuart is a Communication Studies academic focusing on Critical Intercultural Communication and LGBTQ+ identities online. Together, they bring both academic insight and engaging storytelling to the podcast​.
Support This Show

About your hosts

Larry Womack

Profile picture for Larry Womack
Larry Womack is a writer and journalist whose work has appeared in publications as diverse as The Independent (UK), Yahoo! News (US), Aftenposten Innsikt (Norway), and others. According to The Washington Post, he wrote the most-engaged news story on Facebook of the 2016 election cycle. His credits as editor includes a tenure at HuffPost, among others.

Rachel Stuart

Profile picture for Rachel Stuart
Rachel Stuart is a Communication Studies faculty member in the Seattle area. Her area of focus in Communication centers on Critical Intercultural Communication and New Communication Technologies. Her research has examined how members of the LGBTQIAAP+ community use the Internet and social media to negotiate identity, create community, and build social support.