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Brieanna Sigafus
Chris Politz
US History 1302
US History: A Queerly Beloved Story
Although there is a lot of criticism and outright disregard for the subject, the queer
community in America has always existed and has garnered much attention presently with their
protests, rallies, and organizations. Today there is question in regards to what is the queer
movement in America and in Americas history and when has it been marked as starting. Many
events recorded or cited in early queer events or historical pieces are often vague and demand to
be read into. Therefore early history is lost and or not concrete evidence. The object of exploring
queer history in America is to define what it is, how it evolved with major events sectioned into
time periods, and to incorporate local histories here in the DFW area.
Initially, to fully understand what Queer is and how it relates to the topic of this
respective history in the United States one must define what it means. Queer has been adopted,
from a slur term to negatively mean different or abnormal, as an overarching term to separate a
person from the ideals of heteronormativity and the gender binary. This means that queer
encompasses anyone who identifies as not heterosexual and or a person not identifying as their
assigned gender of male or female. (This includes anyone whom is gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender, transsexual, intersex, androgynous, etc.). When citing LGBTQ history as well it is
important to keep in mind The vast majority of work in GLBT history so far has been in both
U.S. History and, within that, the 20th century (Eaklor, Vicki Lynn 3). That means queer history
that is concrete and not inferred for the vast majority means that the focus is on the 20th century

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rather than its predeceasing years despite the fact it did exist. This is an umbrella term to be used
to refer to this group of individuals who will fall outside the heteronormative ideals of American
society.
Although the history in regards to the queer movement in US History and the LGBQT
movement itself has slowly pushed against the ideals of America before the 20th century.
Homosexuality has been generally unacknowledged reality throughout American history.
NonHeterosexual men and women were forced for generations to suppress their sexual
preferences, to exercise the surreptitiously or to live within isolated often persecuted
communities (Brinkley, Allen 795). With both homosexuality and the other persecuted
communities most cite the Stonewall Riots as the beginning of this movement. Looking farther
into it, with the evidence that is concrete and recorded the earliest mobilization is cited in the
1920s with the formation of the Society of Human Rights by Henry Gerber, this group began to
mobilize to reach out but soon disbanded due to social pressures. This action though took place
in 1924 at the height of the roaring 20s. As new social opportunities opened up in America in
the decades after the Civil War, women and men had access to new pleasures. New ways of
thinking about sexuality and gender informed all parts of their lives (Michael Bronski 88). This
meant social pressures of sex and relationships being purely for procreation began to dissipate
and sexual promiscuity heightened. With sexual promiscuity comes deviancy. This meant men
and women deviating from the norms with cited actions as cross dressing and forming clubs on
the low to cater to LGBTQ peoples. And many women now openly considered their sexual
relationships with their husbands not simply as a means of procreation, as earlier generations had
been taught, but as an important and pleasurable experience in its own right, the culmination of
romantic love. (Brinkley 591). This culmination of romantic love extended beyond gender and

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sexuality as well. It is important to stress when talking about the 20s that not everything was
wildly free by todays standards, but at this time it was a whole new level. Things that mattered
such as sex and clothing and whatnot became slightly more lenient. In fact the fashion at this
time even expressed androgyny and breaking down what is desired. With flapper culture a boyish
figure was ideal of a women and androgyny hit the scene as women began to dress in mens
clothes and men embraced on a larger scale feminine facets. As the 20s progressed into the 30s
queer culture dived back down into the recesses of American social issues.
Regaining momentum after the publication of Alfred Kinseys Sexual behavior in the
Human Male. Jumping forward into the late 40s you have the Cold war which brought about
tensions again about groups, particularly communist groups which then in turn became stress in
the government as they began rounding up anyone whom didnt fit the positive American ideal.
This meant anyone not fitting this criteria, communist or otherwise, meant discharge from the
military and more or less exile from society. This included men of non-heterosexual orientation
and any one not identifying nor living as their assigned gender. It is important to note that the
military had a heavy hand on the acceptance of LGBTQ peoples well into the 60s. This rang true
into the Vietnam War in which there was indeed a double standard to be noted the. . . While the
military took elaborate measures to root out gay men and lesbians from their ranks vigilantly
searching for evidence of homosexuality and unceremoniously dismissing gay people with
undesirable discharges- the services quietly tolerated illicit heterosexual relationships which they
believed were both natural and, for many men, necessary. (Brinkley 687). This double standard
was not uncommon as infidelity was more acceptable queer relationship.
Subsequently the 1950s and 60s were a whirlwind of progress as noted this is up to when
the Stonewall Riots occurred. The list of events up to includes 1958 Inc. v Olsen is the first

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Supreme Court case to rule in favor of homosexuals. 1962 Illinois is the first state to
decriminalize homosexual sex or sodomy. 1966 a riot in San Francisco takes place after an
officer forcefully handles a transgender patron and uproar ensues, after the riots the National
Transgender Counseling unit becomes an organization. The stonewall riots received the most
notoriety and is coined as the start of the movement. This event refers to June 28, 1969, when
police officers raided a known gay bar in Greenwich Village known as stonewall. Instead of
being subdued like in the past the bar erupted into a violent riot that spilled out into the streets as
predominantly young gay men began to forcefully remove the police. This action gained national
attention and in the years following through to the 80s many things began to change.
Homosexuality was later deemed not a mental disorder, marches, protests, and rallies ensued,
more safe spaces popped up all cover the country, and importantly recognition that there are
people outside the American ideal norm did in fact exist.
In addition to the large scale focus it is important to realize the events and look into local
gatherings and communities with an objective eye. Within the DFW are there is a rich history
and an ongoing strong mobilization of LGBTQ peoples whom protest, push for local and
national action, and allow their presence to be recognized. Looking into the history of Dallas it is
interesting to read into communities that have resided here. One such community being in 1855
The colony known as La Runion was located on the south bank of the Trinity River in central
Dallas County, just north of Interstate Highway 30 and within the present city limits of Dallas. It
was founded by Victor Prosper Considrant, one of the leading democratic socialist figures in
France. . . (Davidson, Rondel). It is speculated that this predominantly male colony had more
loose views in their community and possible homosexual activities ensued within the colony.
This being a very vague speculation one can look at DFW much later on into the 1970s where

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the first LGBT march was held in Dallas. This happened in 1973 and was more of a word of
mouth unorganized event that invited anyone spectating or with the cause directly to join in. It
was not until the summer of 1980 until the first organized march for LGBT rights took place.
This was a hub in the conservative state of Texas that LGBT peoples took residence. DFW was
influential here in Texas for things like aids awareness and setting up localized support for LGBT
peoples.
In conclusion this is an important subject matter that demands more recognition or even
more so its own focus alongside our preconceived ideas of normal US history. This history is not
only rooted socially in the development of this country, but also in its ideology and politics. The
way this community has been affected is as important to never forget. Queer history is American
history. Queer Americans have been here since the birth of the nation and their communities are
still struggling for such recognition and full rights of other citizens.