Race, Sexuality, Gender and the Body in Early-Twentieth-Century American Culture

Posted on June 26, 2011 by CLGBTH

Fifteenth Berkshire Conference on the History of Women
Friday, June 10, 2011

Report by Chad Heap

I had the pleasure of commenting on the session, “Race, Sexuality, Gender and the Body in Early-Twentieth-Century American Culture.” Matthew Guterl (Indiana University, Bloomington) chaired the session. Kathleen B. Casey (University of Rochester) presented a paper, entitled, “‘She Is What She Ain’t’: Lillyn Brown and the Meaning of Black Male Impersonation”; and Cookie Woolner (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor) delivered a paper on “Gertrude ‘Ma’ Rainey’s ‘Prove It on Me Blues’ and the Dialectics of Queer Popular Culture.” Continue reading →

Utility/Necessity: The Enduring Relevance of Lesbian Identities

Posted on June 26, 2011 by CLGBTH

Fifteenth Berkshire Conference on the History of Women
Thursday, June 9, 2011

Report by Marc Stein

Approximately sixty people attended this session, which focused on the ongoing relevance and usefulness of the category “lesbian” in historical scholarship on women. Continue reading →

Tomboys and the Heritage of Gender Nonconformity in the United States, 1850s-1960

Posted on June 19, 2011 by CLGBTH

Fifteenth Berkshire Conference on the History of Women
Friday, June 10, 2011

Report by Ann Fabian

I commented on the session “Tomboys and the Heritage of Gender Nonconformity in the United States, 1850s-1960.” Anne Scott McLeod chaired the session. Renee Sentilles (Case Western) read a paper on “Tomboys, Girl Sports and Western Pulp Fiction, 1860s-1900”; Kristen Proehl (William and Mary) read hers on “Sympathetic Alliances: Tomboys, ’Sissy Boys,’ and Queer Friendship in Literature of the American South, 1940s-1960”; and Allison Miller (Rutgers) spoke about her work on “American Tomboys in the Age of Penis Envy: Bodies, Gender Affinity, and Childhood, 1920s-1930.” Continue reading →