Perspectives on Sexuality, State, and Politics 1890-1950
Explore the complex dynamics of sexuality, state power, and political influences between 1890-1950 through historical images and quotes. This collection delves into issues such as lynching and the sexualization of Southern politics, the marginalization of homosexual individuals, and the management of sexual stigma during World War I, shedding light on the societal norms and prejudices of the time.
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Sexuality, the State and Politics 1890-1950
Lynching and the Sexualization of Southern Politics of lynching were carried out because of economic competition 1/4 involved accusations of outraging white women the crime of lynching is not likely to cease until the crime of ravishing and murdering women and children is less frequent than it has been of late 1904 No law of God or man can hold back the vengeance of our white men upon such a criminal. We will hang two, three or four of the Negroes nearest to the crime until the crime is no longer done or even feared in all this Southern land we inhabit and love Atlanta Journal Constitution, 1893
The Making of the Straight State 1900-1943
There appears to be no other major culture in the world in which homosexual relationships are so severely penalized. Alfred Kinsey, 1953 The United States is the only major power that excludes homosexuals from its armed services and government employment Donald Webster Cory, 1965 (sociologist) Anxieties at the Border 1900-1924 , There are some thirty thousand pupen-agen and they make it their business to hunt for those unfortunate men who are afflicted with homosexuality and who are known under the Greek name Pederast . . . we get thousands of them into the United States every year. Immigration Inspector
Degeneracy striking peculiarities in dress, talkativeness, witticism, facetiousness, flightiness, unnatural actions, mannerisms and other eccentricities. . . [also] if the characteristics of one sex approached those of the other it might signify degeneration. Medical Examiner, Ellis Island, 1923
Managing Sexual Stigma in the World War I Military, 1917-1933 the degenerate male physique as a whole is often marked by diminished stature and inferior vigor. . . watch for recruits who present the general body conformation of the opposite sex, with sloping narrow shoulders, broad hips, excessive pectoral and pubic adipose deposits, with lack of masculine [hair] and muscular markings Military Screening Manuel, 1918
Picture Circulated by Government Officials, WWI
Most Fags are Floaters: Unattached Persons, 1933-1935 Wanderlust This habit of shifting about gratifies the natural inclination called lust and serves as an outlet for unstable emotions. . . homosexuality is a defining characteristic of vagrants, tramps, and hoboes who promenade unashamed on the public highways, preferring rough-hewn male camaraderie over a normal life of work and family. Dr. P. R. Vessie, The Wanderlust Impulse The Medical Journal and Record, 1931 In the womanless state of transiency the perverted sex instinct and lack of ambition are one in the same -Ohio case worker, 1938 Most fags are floaters and move from town to town Dr. Samuel Kahn, 1937
The Federal Transient Program (FTP)/ Civilian Conservation Core (CCC)
Depression Transients and the FTP The federal government would not have committed itself to an emergency relief program for unemployed transients if the traditional pre-Depression vagrant alone were being considered --Wandering is habit forming ; drawing a goodly portion away from the mores of our social structure, Sturdy of transients, Buffalo New York, 1933 When Good times return will these young nomads be corrupted by antisocial habits or be able to stick? FTP Report, 1933 what would they be like when they have had a score more years in which to develop their unusual habit patterns and from their new allegiances? Study of Transients, 1936 All we can do for those older adults is to keep them off the road for a little while. [and] maybe the young can be caught in time to prevent their becoming professional tramps. We re making honest- to-God citizens out of those kids! Lorena Hickock, supervisor, FERA
Wolves, Jockers and Chickens, Punks, Kids or Lambs I have seen wolves and their little lambs or fairies . . . the man and the boy were pals. The older man got clothes and food for the boy, later teaching the boy how to get for himself. Boy and Girl Tramps of America, 1934
Camp Foster (FTP) With likely kids I do big things For which I m not accountin You stick with me and you shall see The big rock candy mountain A Jocker to His Preshun, Camp Newspaper, 1933
Now that the big hungry WOLF has left the lodge who will be his successor? Send in your answers. . . and receive a free ticket to a chicken dinner. Camp Newspaper It seems to me that in the case of the majority of boys the homosexuality is accidental or incidental and should not be made too much of. . . we cannot boot them out and have them on the road from camp to camp, city to city. . .what can you suggest? --Letter from camp supervisor in California to FTP officials in Washington D.C., 1933
Family Men vs. Non Family Men mobility vs. settlement = queer vs. straight two and a half million girls will get better husbands --James McEntee on the CCC WPA legislation Social Security Act of 1935: migrants inelligable hetorosexualized policies Most transients walk away from the perverts but not the youngest and the hungriest It is vicious in intent and vicious in results --unemployed bachelor on the WPA
Mobilization 16 million residents enlisted 10 million drafted Navy: 35 % teenagers 700,000 black 275, 000 women 650,000-1.6 million soldiers homosexual
Psychiatric Profession Harry Stack Sullivan overt / confirmed Liberal reform Latency/ tendencies/ proclivities/ personality types From acts to personality
Sexual Psychopaths Schizoid and Paranoid Personalities Pressure to streamline procedures Screening Mandate and actual practice Section 8 or Blue Discharge After examining 18 million men, officially rejected 4-5,000 as homosexuals
WAACS and WAVES handbook: women showing a masculine manner may be perfectly normal sexually and excellent military material Chicago Study: loves a uniform and what it stands for Always wanted to be a boy and join the army Seeks companionship of girls with similar patriotic desire wants to mix with other girls
Blue Discharge My family is not wealthy and without the aid of the government, school is practically out of the question. . . If they ever found out it would be awful, because Mother worships the ground I walk on and she could never take it I cannot prevent myself from feeling outraged at the injustice of the government s returning me to a society with whose contempt I shall be in constant struggle and further burdening me with the stigma which is automatically attached to the person receiving a blue discharge.
Republican Senator Even one sex pervert in a Government agency tends to have a corrosive influence upon his fellow employees. These perverts will frequently attempt to entice normal individuals to engage in perverted practices. This is particularly true in the case of young and impressionable people who might come under the influence of a pervert . . . one homosexual can pollute a Government office.
