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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

Sunday Feature

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Exploring music, history, science, philosophy, film, visual arts and literature.

In-depth documentaries which explore music, history, science, philosophy, film, visual arts and literature.

Sunday Feature: Out in the World - A Global Gay History

Sunday Feature: Out in the World - A Global Gay History: Episode 3

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Episode 3

Out in the World - A Global Gay History

BBC Radio 3 - Sunday Feature, Out in the World - A Global Gay History, Episode 3

Richard Coles looks at the conflict between sexuality and gender identity.

Richard Coles looks at the conflict between sexuality and gender identity, focusing on societies where gender identity rather than sexuality is key.

Turning his gaze to India, Polynesia and Native America, Richard Coles continues his excavation of same-sex desire across the centuries, focusing on the age of Empire and the relationship between gender and sexuality. 

When the European nations went out into the world during the era of colonial expansion, they found a bewildering and - to them - shocking array of sexual behaviours. In many societies, gender rather than sexuality took precedence - such as India's third-gender Hijras or the Native Americans' multiple genders. 

As Richard finds out, the colonial authorities set about imposing western moral mores around the world - systematically destroying indigenous traditions which had existed for centuries. He concludes by taking the pulse of those societies in the post imperial era. 

Producer: Laurence Grissell

First broadcast in September 2011.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Richard Coles explores the history of homosexuality through the ages

Richard Coles explores the history of homosexuality through the ages, from the UK and India to Egypt, Greece and Native America

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Out in the World - A Global Gay History

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