Join author, podcaster, and YouTuber Matt Baume for an engaging cultural exchange exploring pop culture and queer history. Based in Seattle, Matt’s work shines a light on LGBTQ+ representation in media, and his latest book, Hi Honey, I’m Homo!, traces the evolution of queer characters in American sitcoms.

During this special event, Matt will dive into iconic LGBTQ+ episodes from U.S. television spanning the 1970s to the 1990s. He’s also eager to turn the spotlight outward by inviting you to share insights and examples from Swedish queer television of the same era.

Whether you’re a pop culture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious, this is a unique opportunity to exchange perspectives, stories, and discoveries across cultures.

As a preview to Vienna Pride, Matt Baume will present his award-winning book "Hi Honey, I'm Homo!" on May 7, 2026.

In it, he explores the history of queer characters in TV sitcoms—from the 1960s to the present day, from "The Golden Girls" and "Friends" to "Modern Family" and many more.

Baume will show video clips of iconic moments in queer sitcom history and share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about how subversive queer humor found its way onto television. He will also explain how mass media shaped, and continue to shape, the LGBTQ+ liberation movement.

Über das Buch
Behind the scenes of the most popular sitcoms of the 20th century, a revolution was brewing. For decades, amidst the bright lights, studio-audience laughs, and absurdly large apartment sets, the real-life story of American LGBTQ+ liberation unfolded in plain sight in front of millions of viewers, most of whom were laughing too hard to mind. From flamboyant relatives on »Bewitched« to closely-guarded secrets on »All in the Family,« from network-censor fights over »Soap« to behind-the-scenes activism on the set of »The Golden Girls, from »Ellen«'s culture clash and »Will & Grace«'s mixed reception to »Modern Family«'s primetime power-couple, »Hi Honey, I'm Homo!« is the story not only of how subversive queer comedy transformed the American sitcom, from its inception through today, but how our favorite sitcoms transformed, and continue to transform, America.
Das Buch im Online-Shop kaufen

Über Matt Baume
Matt Baume ist Schriftsteller, Podcaster und Videoproduzent aus Seattle. Seine Arbeit konzentriert sich auf Popkultur und schwule bzw. queere Geschichte . Sein neuestes Buch, »Hi Honey, I'm Homo!« zeichnet die Entwicklung von LGBTQ+-Figuren in amerikanischen Sitcoms nach. Sein vorheriges Buch, »Defining Marriage« erzählt die persönlichen Geschichten der Menschen, die in den letzten vierzig Jahren für die Ehegleichstellung gekämpft haben. In seinem YouTube Kanal erzählt Matt Hintergrundgeschichten über Filme und Fernsehsendungen, die die Welt verändert haben, vor allem über die faszinierenden Menschen im Hintergrund. Sein Podcast »The Sewers of Paris« behandelt populäre Unterhaltung, die das Leben von Schwulen, Lesben, queeren Menschen geprägt hat.

»Hi Honey, I'm Homo! Sitcoms, Specials, and the Queering of American Culture« — Buchpräsentation mit Matt Baume
Zweisprachige Veranstaltung mit Matt Baume, moderiert von Veit Georg Schmidt
Donnerstag, 7. Mai 2026 2026, 19.30 Uhr
ORT: Buchhandlung Löwenherz, Berggasse 8, 1090 Wien
Eintritt frei

On Sunday May 10th, Savannah Bay will host a special edition of our Lazy Queer Sunday!

American author and YouTuber Matt Baume will join us to talk about his most recent book, Hi Honey, I’m Homo!, about the history of queer characters on American sitcoms and television’s impact on queer liberation.

The event will start at 17:00, and consist of a book reading followed by a multimedia presentation of archival clips. Following that we will have a Q&A, with plenty of room for audience participation. Afterwards we’ll conclude the afternoon with snacks and drinks. If you’d like to join us, we kindly request you to register using the button here: https://www.savannahbay.nl/may-10-lazy-queer-sunday/

With humor, acumen and in-depth research, Matt Baume takes a behind-the-scenes look at the most defining coming-out moments in US television history – and shows how sitcoms have negotiated queer emancipation for decades. Between studio laughs and oversized living room backdrops, series told stories of self-discovery, rejection and solidarity. From embarrassing confessions to celebrated confessions, they reflect social conflicts – and teach us how spaces can be created in which people are allowed to be themselves.

Ticket Prices (plus fees):
Regular price 11,90 €
Reduced price 9,90 €
Member price 6,90 €

Language: English

In cooperation with Queer Festival | Gender & Queer Studies Network of Heidelberg University | Office for Equal Opportunities as part of Rainbow City Heidelberg