Baby, you are my religion : women, gay bars, and theology before Stonewall / by Marie Cartier.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cartier, Marie, author.

Series:

Gender, theology, and spirituality (Acumen Publishing)

Gender, theology and spirituality

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Homosexuality--United States--History--20th century.

Homosexuality.

Homosexuality--Religious aspects.

Gay bars--United States--History--20th century.

Gay bars.

History.

United States.

Physical Description:

xii, 256 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Durham : Acumen Publishing, 2013.

Summary:

Baby, You Are My Religion argues that American butch-femme bar culture of the mid twentieth century should be interpreted as a sacred space for its community. Before Stonewall - when homosexuals were still deemed mentally ill - these bars were the only place where many could have any community at all. Baby, You Are My Religion explores this community as a site of a lived corporeal theology and political space. It reveals that religious institutions such as the Metropolitan Community Church were founded in such bars, that traditional and non-traditional religious activities took place there, and that religious ceremonies such as marriage were often conducted within the bars by staff. Baby You Are My Religion examines how these bars became not only ecclesiastical sites but also provided the fertile ground for the birth of the struggle for gay and lesbian civil rights before Stonewall. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 It was the only place 1

Part I Interviews

2 The 1940s: "Thank God the Japanese surrendered." 33

3 The 1950s: "I should have made a list of my girlfriends!" 51

4 The 1960s: "It was ...Hollywood! We did a girlfriend... daisy chain!" 79

5 The 1970s: "We were ...women in overalls dancing with women in overalls. They kicked us out." 101

6 The 1980s: "I really did think I was Jess from Stone Butch Blues reincarnated." 136

Part II Theological history and contexts

7 Historical antecedents 158

8 Theological strands 164

Part III The nature of "theology"

9 Experience is primary 172

10 What is theelogy? 194

11 Four tenets of theelogy 213

12 Conclusion ...Last Call! 218.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1844656497

9781844656493

OCLC:

858011179

Publisher Number:

99957537112