Gender Identity in the Queer Rights Movement of the 1960s

Historical context

The mid-twentieth century is well-known as a time of many social and civil rights movements in the United States. Though queer culture and the roots of the LGBTQIA+ movement were much older, the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, led by young trans and queer people of color, is often considered a turning point. Black and Latine house and ballroom culture with roots in the late 19th century, a strong queer presence in the Harlem Renaissance, and the largely white homophile movement starting in the 1950s all helped create the foundation for the Stonewall Uprising. For further background information, see the PBS special on Crystal Labeija, the Google Arts and Culture collection about ballroom culture, the History Channel article on drag balls, and the Library of Congress resource guide on the Homophile movement.

Culturally relevant pedagogy considerations

Tenet 3 of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy encourages students to examine and question the status quo. This primary source set asks students to consider who is included in the narrative. Who is included in these sources and who is excluded? Why might that be the case? How are gender roles/stereotypes and gender expression evident in these sources? Another key aspect of CRP is for students to see themselves in the materials they are studying. Have students consider gender roles/stereotypes and gender expression in their own cultures. Do they choose different ways to express their gender identity depending on the setting? What choices might the subjects of these primary sources have made about their own gender expression reflect the setting of the primary source?

This set was compiled by Wendy Harris, high school teacher at Metro Deaf School in St. Paul, Minnesota.