Lesbianism in U.S. History

Paper Summary:

This paper investigates into the historical development of the concept of lesbianism in the United States. The author looks at how homosexuality was directly influenced by political and economic changes that affected the American population in its entirety and how these political conflicts and confrontations were echoed into the cultural expressions of homosexuality in general, and lesbianism in particular. In the view that lesbianism stepped into the light thanks to the social movements of the 1960s, the author also explains how from the 1950s onwards, lesbianism was treated as a social phenomenon rather than a psychiatric deviation.

From the Paper:

"The discourse of American politics is focused on individual rights, action and identity. This trait was developed as a result of the social movements that took place during the 1960s and 1970s. American social changes have been correlated with the so-called 'voice of the people' which in turn, is directly linked to social identity. In this sense, the 1960s highly contributed to the birth and development of a common identity for individuals who shared a particular characteristic, be it ethnic origin, sex, religion, etc. This shared identity enabled their voices to be heard more loudly and clearly, and their discontents to be expressed as a coherent common pain; this pain was no longer restricted to individual life, but transformed into a discontent that was publicly voiced and widely shared."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Creekmur, Corey K., and Alexander Doty, eds. (1995). Out in Culture: Gay, Lesbian, and Queer Essays on Popular Culture. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
• Freeman, Jo. (1973). The Origins of the Women's Liberation Movement. The American Journal of Sociology, 78 (4), 792-811.
• Hunt, Ronald J. (1992). Gay and Lesbian Politics. PS: Political Science and Politics 25(2), 220224.
• Kessler-Harris, Alice. (1983). Out to Work: A History of Wage-Earning Women in the United States. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Tully Carol T. (2000). Lesbians, Gays & the Empowerment Perspective. Columbia University Press.

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