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“That Women Could Matter”: Building Lesbian Feminism in California, 1955-1982

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“That Women Could Matter”: Building Lesbian Feminism in California, 1955-1982 “That Women Could Matter”: Building Lesbian Feminism in California, 1955-1982 By Chelsea Nicole Del Rio A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (History) in the University of Michigan 2016 Doctoral Committee: Emeritus Professor Regina Morantz-Sanchez, Chair Associate Professor Rebecca M. Kluchin, California State University, Sacramento Associate Professor Matthew D. Lassiter Associate Professor Rachel Neis Associate Professor Gayle S. Rubin Dedicated to Millie and Ernie Taylor, and to Gaby, who continue to be my home though they are now gone, and to the many women, past and present, who inspired this work. ii Acknowledgements “‘That Women Could Matter’” feels to me deeply personal and at the same time so much bigger than me. In spite of work done mostly in solitude, save for my cats demanding their supper, this project would not have been possible without the help, support, and encouragement offered by so many during my Ph.D. path. First, my thanks to my dissertation committee. I have been fortunate to learn from and be guided by smart, supportive faculty: Regina Morantz-Sanchez, Matthew Lassiter, Rachel Neis, Gayle Rubin, and Rebecca Kluchin. Gina quickly jumped into the role of advisor when I unexpectedly found myself in need of one right in the middle of prelims and has continued to ensure I have a champion in my corner. From our first encounters Gina has pushed me to consider the broader implications of lesbian feminism and how it has changed modern society. Thank you for endlessly repeating the promise you see in the work I do. Matt always had an answer when I needed one, always made time when I needed it, and always supported my dual priorities of academia and activism. Thank you for helping me to consider the significance of the (urban) spaces and places lesbians occupied. Rachel was the best of sports in joining my committee given the great differences in our areas of study. You were exactly who I needed to have on my side and your unique understanding of my work made me feel secure in it. Thank you for getting it. Gayle reached out to me before I had the courage to ask anything of her. The moment we began discussing my work I was greeted by kindness and sincere recognition. Knowing that you would be reading my work pushed me to expand my inquiry and develop iii greater nuance. Becky, this dissertation would not have happened without your guidance. You encouraged me to take the bold research path, helped me find my voice, and guided me long after your formal position as my advisor ended. Thank you for continuing to be a part of this work. In addition to this committee, my ideas have been shaped by a number of generous scholars through my MA and Ph.D. studies. Chloe Burke, thank you for making me a bolder historian and becoming such a trusted friend and confidant. Mona Siegel, upon returning to school your course was the challenge I needed to prove to myself I was right where I belonged. Shirley Ann Wilson Moore, your constant support taught me more than any other what it means to be a strong, compassionate educator and mentor. Esther Newton, thank you for your Lesbian Worlds course. It was everything I hoped for, giving me exactly the foundation I needed as a scholar of lesbian history. Sueann Caulfield saw me through prelims in a field that was challenging but so necessary to ensuring a breadth of knowledge in the history of sexuality. Thank you, too, for the dissertation seminar; you helped me better understand my own work and how to contribute to the work of others. Marty Pernick, your pedagogical practices and your constant generosity set a standard I will strive to reach. My gratitude as well to Maris Vinovskis and Howard Brick who demonstrated for me that serious scholars can be accessible and sympathetic educators. Graduate students know that we owe much of our day to day survival to department staff. Sincerest thank yous to Lorna Altstetter, Shelley Anzalone, Sheila Coley, Diana Denney, Terry Fisher, Dawn Kapalla, Diane Wyatt, and Kathleen King. I am indebted to each of you for all that you have done to make my education possible. Kathleen, your generosity and friendship has iv meant more to me than I can express. Your encouragement in the toughest moments kept me in the program and moving forward. The raw material for this project came from the archives. Michigan’s Labadie Collection held more treasures than I could have hoped for. Most of my research took me to California and I am indebted to university and public library special collections there, especially the following: California State University, Sacramento; University of California, Los Angeles; and the San Francisco Public Library. Doing research at LGBT archives is a special privilege. To know that such places exist and to explore their rich and ever growing collections is to feel hopeful that we can successfully continue to educate and change the world for the queer community. My thanks goes to the San Francisco GLBT Historical Society and the ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives for aiding me and for all that you do to preserve our history. The most magical of research moments came in those spaces dedicated solely to queer women: The June Mazer Archives in Los Angeles and the Lesbian Herstory Archives (LHA) in Brooklyn. It was at Mazer that I finally laid my eyes on a worn but complete collection of Lisa Ben’s Vice Versa, the first lesbian publication in the country. And to research at the LHA, exploring each nook and corner of the old brownstone, was to feel among family. My Michigan graduate student colleagues have offered me friendship, laughter, solidarity, and invaluable insights into the practice of history. I was lucky to be among 2009 cohort, which looked after and stood by one another through these many years. Jessica Stephens, I could not have dreamt of a better Ph.D. school partner in crime. Our office laughter and rants, Sunday night PBS potlucks, garden days, beer lunches, and Michigan field trips nurtured me through it all. Ananda Burra, my birthday adventurer and office dancer, your wit and kindness assured me from the start that I had a kindred confidant. Lissy Reiman, our recruitment meet cute v was a clear indication of what a fun, lovely friendship we would develop over the years. Marie Stango, the little sister I never knew I wanted, thank you for being such a consistent, steady friend. Michelle Cassidy, if there is a kinder or more compassionate friend in the world I have yet to meet them. My sincerest thank you as well to cohort members Austin McCoy, Kevin Gouge (and Sarah), Sarah Harper Nobles, Jolene Pelton, Katie Rosenblatt, Angela Perez Villa, Nicole Greer, Pouya Alimagham, Marvin Chochotte, and Lynn Eckert. It has also been a privilege to learn from those of you further along in the grad school process. Cookie Woolner, thank you for filling the role of generous big sister and always making sure I knew support was close at hand. I am also grateful to Ashley Rockenbach, Emily Klancher Merchant, Patrick Parker, Trevor Kilgore, Ronit Stahl, Aston Gonzalez, Anthony Ross, David Morrill Schlitt, Millington Bergeson-Lockwood, Ben Cronin, Paul Hebert, Sylvia Marques, and Pascal Massinon. A number of folks who followed in cohorts after mine have become close friends and I am thankful Michigan brought us together. Joshua Hubbard and Joseph Tychonievich, thank you for being family. Noah Blan and Stephanie Keough, what a delight to be your friend. Thank you for welcoming me into the honorable club of Matilda’s aunties and uncles. Katie Wroblewski, your frank, sincere friendship towards the end of Ph.D. school was exactly what I needed. I am glad as well for the time spent with Molly Brookfield, Tapsi Mathur, Sophie Hunt, Nora Krinitsky, Scott De Orio, and Matthew Woodbury. I found my first cohort of history graduate students at Sacramento State where I completed my MA degree. Tom O’Donnell and Jordan Biro were my first writing buddies and continue to be precious confidants. Tom, I am not sure where I would be without your thoughtful feedback, scorching wit, and passionate inquiry. Chester and Andrew forever. Jordan, our ongoing partnership as scholars with shared paths assures me that I will always have loving vi company along this journey. Rachel Purdie, you got me to Michigan and provided sanctuary on my returns to California. Most importantly, you constantly remind me what it means to be authentic and true to oneself. Annie Snider, knowing you are in my corner is bolstering. Thank you for always picking up the phone and being ready with real talk. Unexpectedly, my time in Michigan came with a years-long education in the labor movement and union activism. The Graduate Employees’ Organization become my activist home, introducing me to intelligent, passionate, committed unionistas who raised my consciousness of intersectional politics and became some of the most consistent forces in my Ann Arbor world. The setbacks we faced were nothing compared to all of the ways we worked in solidarity to ensure a better, more just university and community. The sisterhood of Katie Frank, Liz Rodrigues, Jenny Kohn, and Lynne Chaimowitz was as warm and empowering as any I have known. Katie, I learned so much from you about what it means to be a leader. Thank you for your unfailing and kind presence. Liz, I know few people as sincere, honest, and open as you always are.
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