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Table of Contents

Defining Documents in American History: LGBTQ+ (1923–2017)

Publisher’s Note

Defining Documents in American History series, produced by Salem Press, offers a closer look at important historical documents by pairing primary source documents on a broad range of subjects with essays written especially for the series by a diverse range of writers. This established series includes twenty-six titles that present documents selected to illuminate specific eras in American history—Colonial America through the 1970s, for example—or to explore significant themes and developments in American society—Nationalism & Populism; Dissent & Protest; Environment & Conservation; and Native Americans.

This set, Defining Documents in American History: LGBTQ+ (1923–2017), offers in-depth analysis of thirty-five primary source documents drawn from the ongoing movement to achieve recognition and equality for members of the LGBTQ+ community, beginning with Emma Goldman’s “On the Unjust Treatment of Homosexuals,” written in 1923, through Danica Roem’s speech in 2017, celebrating her election as the first openly transgender elected official in United States history.

The material is organized under three historical groupings:

  • Early Developments, marking a time when the first homophile organizations began to encourage gays and lesbians to come out in the open.

  • Coming Out, an era that included such significant events as the Stonewall Riots and “The Hope Speech,” by Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected city official in the nation.

  • Growing Ever Stronger, including Larry Kramer’s passionate activism on the frontlines of the AIDS epidemic, the decision in United States v. Windsor that declared DOMA unconstitutional, and a presidential proclamation in 2009 declaring June as LGBTQ Pride Month.

These documents provide a compelling view of many important aspects of LGBTQ+ history, including the American Psychological Association’s 1973 statement that homosexuality is not a mental disorder, changes to the Boys Scouts of America membership policy, and excerpts from Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court decision guaranteeing the right to marry to same-sex couples under both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Designed for high school and college students, the aim of the series is to advance historical document studies as an important activity in learning about history.

Essay Format

LGBTQ+ contains thirty-five documents that span ten decades and chronicle both high and low moments drawn from the ongoing story of LGBTQ+ community in American society. The set begins at the start of the twentieth century when Henry Gerber began what is thought to be the first homophile organization in the United States. The Society for Human Rights collapsed following the arrests of Gerber and several Society members. The story continues on to today’s efforts to assure inclusiveness and equal treatment under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual individuals in their homes, communities, schools, the military, and government.

Each document is supported by a critical essay, written by historians and teachers, that includes a Summary Overview, Defining Moment, Author Biography, Document Analysis, and Essential Themes. Readers will appreciate the diversity of the issues addressed throughout these documents. An important feature of each essay is a close reading of the primary source that develops broader themes, such as the author’s rhetorical purpose, social or class position, point of view, and other relevant issues. In addition, essays are organized by sections, listed above, highlighting major issues of the movement from marriage rights to hate crimes. Supplemental historical documents add additional context and richness to important topics throughout the set.

Each section begins with a brief introduction that defines questions and problems underlying the subjects addressed in the historical documents. Each essay also includes a Bibliography and Additional Reading section for further research.

Appendixes

  • Glossary of important terms related to LGBTQ+ issues.

  • Chronology of important events from LGBTQ+ history both in the United States and around the world.

  • Further Reading, a comprehensive list of resources organized by categories

  • Web Resources is an annotated list of websites that offer valuable supplemental resources.

Contributors

Salem Press would like to extend its appreciation to all involved in the development and production of this work. The essays have been written and signed by scholars of history, humanities, and other disciplines related to the essays’ topics. Without these expert contributions, a project of this nature would not be possible. A full list of contributor’s names and affiliations appears in the front matter of this volume.

Citation Types

Type
Format
MLA 9th
"Publisher’s Note." Defining Documents in American History: LGBTQ+ (1923–2017), edited by Michael Shally-Jensen, Salem Press, 2018. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=DDLGBTQ_0003.
APA 7th
Publisher’s Note. Defining Documents in American History: LGBTQ+ (1923–2017), In M. Shally-Jensen (Ed.), Salem Press, 2018. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=DDLGBTQ_0003.
CMOS 17th
"Publisher’s Note." Defining Documents in American History: LGBTQ+ (1923–2017), Edited by Michael Shally-Jensen. Salem Press, 2018. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=DDLGBTQ_0003.