Queer Liberation and Representation in the 60's and 70's
The queer identity labels used in the 60's and 70's were fairly different compared to how they are used now. Within the records collected in this archive, the use of "gay" as an umbrella term is seen quite often as opposed to more modern day labels like "LGBTQ+" or "queer". Also, the use of "homosexual" as an identity is much more prevalent than it is today. The use of other identity labels is seemingly absent here as well, with the only other identity label besides "Gay" or "Homosexual" appearing is "Lesbian". Many of these documents highlight the struggles that early activists in the queer community faced, as well as celebrate some of the joy and community that they were able to form in the face of adversary.
Charles Alexander, a gay writer from Detroit, documented key historical events that significantly impacted the LGBTQ+ community in his column "Parting Glances". In this 1965 article, Alexander refers to the first “Gay Rights Activists,” describing members as “Gays and Lesbians” who wore buttons declaring “Equality for Homosexuals.” This terminology underscores the early phases of identity labels within the LGBTQ+ movement, as well as highlighting an important moment for queer history.
"The Liberator" from the Kavanaugh Collection poignantly addresses the themes of acceptance and contradiction within the Christian community. The poem boldly displays "G.A.Y." on its front cover, symbolizing a raw and open expression of identity during a time when such openness was often met with hostility.
Also from the Kavanaugh Collection, this is a cover of the bulletin of the I.S. Gay Caucus. This bulletin was distributed and read by the Detroit Gay Liberation Front, an organization with which Kavanaugh was associated. The use of "gay" in the title serves as an umbrella term for the target audience of the bulletin. The cover also features an image of two men holding hands and signifies an early and explicit declaration of gay identity and solidarity.
A play review for "Behold! Cometh the Vanderkellans," performed at the Detroit Repertory Theater in October 1971, identifies one character as a "homosexual." The fact that the character identifies as a "homosexual" is framed as a problem within the play's narrative. This instance of "homosexual" as an identity reflects the more prevalent use of the term, as well as the stigma behind the label at the time.
"Dragged Queen," is a poem that recounts a harrowing incident of police brutality experienced by two members of the Ann Arbor Gay community dressed in drag at the Detroit Municipal Airport. The title and contents of the poem references drag queens, highlighting one of the many subgroups within the gay community at the time.
Lionel A. Biron's statement to the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) discusses the rejection of a non-sexual discrimination clause by University of Michigan negotiators. Biron, identifying as a “Gay Feminist” and a member of the “Gay Liberation Front” as well as the “Gay Academic Union,” used the term “Gays” to refer to the community as a whole, and references to a single person as "a Gay". The ways that Biron refers to members of the LGBTQ+ community have since fallen out of use in favor of more general and inclusive terms.
In a letter dated April 25, 1975, Biron, acting as a representative of the Gay Academic Union at the University of Michigan, sought collaboration with Dr. Rosemarie Sarri of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Biron referred to the community as "Gay women and men" and "Gay academics." The correspondence also mentioned a "homosexual case" under review at the university, another case insinuating a negative connotation with the identity, although further details were not provided in the letter.
The Fall 1977 Youth Survival Guide, produced by EASY (Easy Access to Services for Youth), serves as an informative brochure for youth in the Ann Arbor area. The guide outlines various resources, such as the "Gay Hotline," described as "a good place to get information on any aspect of homosexuality, and Gay lifestyles." The capitalization of "Gay" is noted here, a change to how we see the term printed today. The term "homosexuality" is also used again here, however in a more positive light than seen before, potenitally indicating a slight shift in how the term is viewed. Additionally, the guide mentioned the "Leaping Lesbian," a local newsletter for women, and provided information on activist groups like "gay liberation."