'I Identify with Fighters': the South and Southern
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‘I IDENTIFY WITH FIGHTERS’: THE SOUTH AND SOUTHERN IDENTITY IN LESBIAN FEMINIST ACTIVISM IN THE 1970S A Dissertation by HILLARY RAE ANDERSON Submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Chair of Committee, Albert Broussard Committee Members, Angela P. Hudson Julia Erin Wood Cynthia Bouton Joseph Jewell Head of Department, David Vaught May 2018 Major Subject: History Copyright 2018 Hillary Rae Anderson ABSTRACT This dissertation is a historical examination of the development of 1970s Southern lesbian feminism in the United States. It uses archival research, lesbian feminist periodicals and publications, and Southern lesbian feminist artistic production from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. The theory of intersectionality, Critical Race Theory, and elements of social movement theory informed the analysis. The timing of the 1970s brought together a particular political climate that nurtured Southern lesbian feminism. The 1970s were after major legislative victories in the civil rights movement, during a period of growth for American feminism when feminist and lesbian feminist print culture were at their height, and the decade was after the gay rights movement became militant, but before the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. This dissertation argues that Southern lesbian feminism’s development in the 1970s made the American South a new site for political agitation among self-identified lesbians; it proved the importance of Southernness – Southern identity – in lesbian feminist praxis. Southern culture shaped and tied together social constructions of race, gender, and sexuality, which caused Southern lesbian feminists to adopt a revolutionary political philosophy that uniquely combined elements of Black Power, radical feminism, and gay liberation, seeking to end multiple oppressions by transforming society. Manifestation of Southern identity in their activism is evident in the cultural production of Southern lesbian feminists. The activism of Southern lesbian feminists often differed from the activism of Southern gay, especially white, men during the decade. Even though Southern lesbians and gay men formed some political alliances and coalitions, Southern lesbian feminist theory and practice were sometimes at odds with the activist agendas of many Southern gay men. ii Southern identity also distinguished lesbian feminist activism among self-identified Southern lesbians from that of lesbians in other regions of the United States. The 1970 Revolutionary People’s Constitutional Convention, the mid-decade growth of gay rights organizations in the South, Anita Bryant’s 1977 Save Our Children (from Homosexuals) crusade, and the 1979 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, evince these differences. iii DEDICATION For Lily, Christian, and Lyndon, so you know and understand the past, because you are the future With love iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Producing a dissertation in the discipline of history was an endeavor I undertook with a wealth of support, both professional and personal. The existence of that support in this process has made my work possible; I recognize how very fortunate I am to have so many people to thank. My academic pursuits seemed attainable because I was lucky enough to learn from and be encouraged by wonderful teachers and mentors from a young age: Carol Houston, my piano teacher; Kay Jensen, my art teacher; and Judy Rudoff, my Spanish teacher; and in my undergraduate career, Dr. Ricky Dobbs and Dr. Polly Detels. When I became a teacher myself, I was so privileged to work with (and learn from) Liz McQuitter. Liz often quoted Maya Angelou, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Because of these teachers, I felt supported and confident in my abilities throughout my life. First, on the professional side, I wish to thank my dream team of a committee – and I have called them that on many occasions. Dr. Albert Broussard, my chair, vouched for my ability to handle graduate coursework. I was accepted to the Ph.D. program on his word. Our personalities match well and through graduate school he has been an academic anchor for me: always encouraging, but never hand-holding – the perfect balance. When Dr. Angela Hudson agreed to join my committee, she advised me on courses to take. Because of that advice, I took a class with Dr. Cynthia Bouton and was thrilled when she agreed to serve on my committee. Having Dr. Sara Alpern on my committee has been vital to my growth as a writer. I am so glad to have worked with her. Dr. Erin Wood graciously joined my committee when Dr. Alpern retired and has been a constant source of encouragement through the trials of graduate school. Dr. Wood also introduced me to sources that deepened my understanding of certain topics and v strengthened my dissertation. Lastly, Dr. Joseph Jewell’s membership on my committee has helped me use theory in historical inquiry. Over the course of my Ph.D., my committee members have been my fiercest advocates and had the utmost faith in me and my work. It was my gift to be able to count on their guidance and support in this journey. I must also thank a few others at TAMU who were great examples to me for different reasons and who helped me make important professional contacts. Dr. Lorien Foote and Dr. Katherine Unterman exemplify the mentor aspect of teaching. They are so approachable, always listened to me, wrote so many letters of recommendation for me, and have given me professional advice too many times to count. I was also lucky to be hired by Michael Jackson at TAMU’s Cushing Memorial Library. Even though I had no archival experience, he took a chance on me. I am indebted to him for that opportunity. Processing parts of the LGBTQ Archive and helping with the Don Kelly Research Collection of Gay Literature and Culture were foundational to my dissertation research. Graduate school is only survivable when we go through it with others. Luckily, I had great colleagues. From the beginning, Dr. Brad Cesario and Tyler Thompson were fun officemates and I knew they had my back. Shane Mackowicki came into the program a bit later but was a great addition to the crew. I must also specifically thank Dr. Charles McCoy, Douglas Bell, and Dr. David Cameron. If I had brothers, it would be these three. I fear I will never again have neighbors as great as Charles and Doug. We bonded because we took our comprehensive exams at the same time, but we have shared many drinks and discussions about life that sustained me through school. David is one of the best guys I know, professionally and personally. He has counseled me on teaching, writing, job hunting, and much more, cheering me on at every turn. I am so thankful for his generous spirit. Graduate school, conference vi presenting, and research travel was so fun because I got to do those things with Cheryl Coulthard, Brooke Linsenbardt, and Tiffany Gonzalez. They have been true friends through this challenging and sometimes difficult experience of graduate school and were such a comfort to me during a time of heartache. They are brilliant scholars and academia is lucky to have them. On an exclusively personal level, I must thank a friend and especially my family. Carly Elzner, my dear friend, was one of the first people to whom I was out. She has seen me grow personally as I progressed through graduate school. For me, the personal growth and scholarly maturation are linked and Carly has been there, supporting me, for both. It is impossible to sufficiently express my gratefulness for my family. None of this would be happening without them. My father is an academic. It has been good having him to speak that language as I try to navigate in academia. Daddy’s musical interests clearly influenced the cultural direction of my research, and I am thankful for that. I also want to thank Daddy for helping alleviate some of the financial stress of graduate school. My mom is the best, the epitome of a strong, intelligent, independent woman, and the person I want to be the most like. Her patience, nurturing, and love in my life shaped who I am. Like the Maya Angelou quote, I don’t remember everything Mommy said or did, but I always feel how proud she is of me. Finally, I want to thank my sister. It was a beautiful and happy accident to be born her twin. She is my biggest fan. Since before I can remember she has been with me, to play with, to talk to, and to listen. Our lives are very different now, but she is still my rock. My family made me and they have supported me in every way. I am so blessed to be surrounded by their light in all I pursue. vii CONTRIBUTORS AND FUNDING SOURCES This work was supported by a dissertation committee consisting of Chair Albert Broussard, Angela P. Hudson, Sara Alpern, Julia Erin Wood, and Cynthia Bouton, all from the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Department of History, and Joseph Jewell from the Department of Sociology. All work for the dissertation was completed by the student independently. Financial support of this dissertation research came from several places. The TAMU Women’s and Gender Studies Dissertation Award and TAMU’s Department of History Spring and Summer Research Grant financed preliminary research. The TAMU Department of History awarded the student the Spring and Summer Research Grant for research in 2015. That same summer the student was awarded the Cushing-Glasscock Humanities Research Grant. Funding from the TAMU History Department allowed the student to attend several conferences and present original research between 2015 and 2017.