With a focus on historic sites, this volume explores the recent history of non- heteronormative Americans from the early twentieth century onward and the places associated with these communities. Authors explore how queer identities are connected with specific places: places where people gather, socialize, protest, mourn, and celebrate. The focus is deeper look at how sexually variant and gender non-conforming Americans constructed identity, created communities, and fought to have rights recognized by the government. Each chapter is accompanied by prompts and activities that invite readers to think critically and immerse themselves in the subject matter while working collaboratively with others.
Table of Contents:
List of Illustrations
Preface
Katherine Crawford-Lackey
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1. A Note About Intersectionality, LGBTQ Communities, History, and Place
Megan E. Springate
Chapter 2. Making Bisexuals Visible
Loraine Hutchins
Chapter 3. Sexual and Gender Diversity in Native America and the Pacific Islands
Will Roscoe
Chapter 4. Transgender History in the United States and the Places That Matter
Susan Stryker
Chapter 5. Remembering Asian Pacific American Activism in Queer History
Amy Sueyoshi
Chapter 6. Latina/o Gender and Sexuality
Deena J. González and Ellie D. Hernández
Chapter 7. “Where We Could Be Ourselves”: African American LGBTQ Historic Places and Why They Matter.
Jeffrey A. Harris
Appendix
Activities
Katherine Crawford-Lackey
Defining Your Identity
Explore a Place
Discussion Question: The Impact of the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage
Families of Choice
Exploring Intersectionality
Create a Toolkit: Talking about the “Tough Stuff” in History
Essay Prompt: Transgender Identities
Studying Identity Through Objects
Bibliography
About the Author :
Katherine Crawford-Lackey is a PhD candidate in public history at Middle Tennessee State University. She currently serves as a contractor with the National Park Service. Her research focuses on public commemoration and place-based history. She recently co-authored an article with Barbara Little, “Exploring American Places with the Discovery Journal: A Guide to Co-Creating Meaningful Interpretation” (The George Wright Forum).
Review :
“The contributors effectively show that knowledge of the varied and evolving LGBTQ experience is critical to understanding American history……. Recommended.” • Choice
“In addition to the accessibility of language and theory, the contributions are by authors from diverse educational and career backgrounds, and who provide unique insights that are not often presented or engaged with in academic publications. Edited volumes such as these should be commended and celebrated; we need more interdisciplinary, published works that engage with archaeologists, historians and historic preservationists working outside academia.” • Antiquity
“Identities and Place: Changing Labels and Intersectional Communities of LGBTQ and Two Spirit People in the United States is a strong and much needed volume that brings together the scholarly, preservationist, architectural, and activist voices. With a focus on the co-construction of place and identity, the authors explicate how a wide-range and variation of LGBTQ people have shaped the US and its history.” • Jack Gieseking, University of Kentucky
