Exploring 70 years of lesbian publications: From 1940s zines to modern glossy magazines
Since the 1940s, lesbians have created a vibrant history of publications. From the exploration of daily lesbian life to literary and feminist pursuits, to the modern age of glossy magazines, for over 70 years, lesbians have been finding a way to connect and share their stories in periodicals, newsletters and beyond. The very beginnings Edythe…
11 groundbreaking moments in U.S. LGBTQ+ history
The history of the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. is rich. While the Stonewall Rebellion and legislative wins like Obergefell v. Hodges often dominate discussions about our history, many other stories and people paved the way for modern LGBTQ+ rights. From brave individuals in the 19th century who risked it all to create a space…
The evolution of LGBTQ+ online dating
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. From casual hook-ups to friendships to meeting the love of your life, LGBTQ+ online dating was created out of a need for community. When I first messaged my wife of six years on OkCupid in 2014, I didn’t realize I was taking part in an online…
LGBTQ+ icons George Harris and Jack Evans: A love story for the ages
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. When George Harris and Jack Evans became the first couple to legally marry in Dallas County, they had already been together 54 years. That day in 2015, Dallas was the largest metropolitan area in the country to gain marriage equality, and a photo of the…
When NOW purged lesbians
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. The website of The National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) describes Betty Friedan as “co-founder of the National Organization for Women” (NOW) and “one of the early leaders of the women’s rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Her 1963 best-selling book, The Feminine Mystique, gave voice to millions of…
Golden State queer mecca is more than San Francisco
This article is part of the LGBT Media History Project. The 1979 police assault on San Francisco’s former Elephant Walk bar on Castro Street after the White Night riots was a defining moment for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, helping to cement the solidarity of a new community while the whole world was watching. Earlier that year,…
In 1960s, drag found a home in San Francisco’s Glen Park
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. During the 1960s, most LGBTQ+ nightlife in San Francisco was centered in the northern neighborhoods of the city. Gay bars could be found along Polk Street, in the Tenderloin, and the South of Market neighborhood. In the heart of the city, the late lesbian couple Phyllis…
Putting an end to the myths of Stonewall
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. For years, people have debated what actually happened that night in June 1969 when Stonewall was raided and a new, more militant struggle for equality was born. Due to the debates, and the insistence of some who claim they knew all aspects of what had actually…
The lessons of LGBTQ History Month
This article first appeared in Philadelphia Gay News and is republished with permission. Every year in October, we bring you stories from those who changed the trajectory of our community. From groups like Gay Liberation Front to people like Pauli Murray, it’s important to remember where we came from and to use the lessons of…
Patric McCoy exhibition unearths forgotten moments from Chicago’s Black queer history
It’s the unusual person who is able to transform their commutes to and from their office into anything meaningful, let alone a profound body of work documenting a generation. But Patric McCoy has done just that. McCoy, a retired scientist as well as an art collector, spent years carrying his 35mm camera on his bike…
LGBTQ+ History Month is a celebration of community
As I write, it’s National Coming Out Day. Since 1988, this day in October has been a day of solidarity for those who have come out. It is also a hopeful, supportive, gentle opportunity for anyone in flux, transition or considering coming out. We all have coming out stories. It is important to voice them.…
Acknowledging queer women during Women’s History Month
They say history is told by the victors, and history in the United States is told from the perspective of white, cisgender, straight men. Our schools teach this narrative but then take the opportunity during certain months to tell the history of “the other,” showing that we are not the ones whose history is the…
Archives for ALL, Y’all!
Queer History South 2022 conference to take place in Dallas from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. The contributions of LGBTQ+ people toward the betterment of the world cannot be underestimated, and the world is a better place when LGBTQ+ people are allowed to flourish. From government and engineering to science and the arts, LGBTQ+ people…
6 ways to experience LGBTQ+ history this Pride month
Pride month is a perfect time to reflect on the people and events that helped us get where we are today. For many LGBTQ+ people, they never got to see their bravery and sacrifice blossom into the joyful celebrations we now have around the world. This June, you can honor their legacies and learn more…