Drastic dykes and accidental activists : queer women in the urban South / La Shonda Mims.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mims, La Shonda, (author).

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Lesbian activists--Southern States.

Lesbian activists.

Lesbians--Southern States.

Lesbians.

Sexual minority community--Southern States.

Sexual minority community.

Lesbians--North Carolina--Charlotte--History--20th century.

Lesbians--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (256 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Other Title:

Drastic Dykes and Accidental Activists

Place of Publication:

Chapel Hill, North Carolina : The University of North Carolina Press, [2022]

Summary:

"After World War II, Atlanta and Charlotte emerged as leading urban centers in the South, redefining the region through their competing metropolitan identities. Both cities also served as home to queer communities who defined themselves in accordance with their urban surroundings and profited to varying degrees from the emphasis on economic growth. Uniting southern women's history with urban history, La Shonda Mims considers an imaginatively constructed archive including feminist newsletters and queer bar guides alongside sources revealing corporate boosterism and political rhetoric to explore the complex nature of lesbian life in the South.Mims's work reveals significant differences between gay men's and lesbian women's lived experiences, with lesbians often missing out on the promises of prosperity that benefitted some members of gay communities. Money, class, and race were significant variables in shaping the divergent life experiences for the lesbian communities of Atlanta and Charlotte; whiteness especially bestowed certain privileges. In Atlanta, an inclusive corporate culture bolstered the city's queer community. In Charlotte, tenacious lesbian collectives persevered, as many queer Charlotteans leaned on Atlanta's enormous Pride celebrations for sanctuary when similar institutional community supports were lacking at home." -- Publisher's description.

Contents:

Cover

Half Title

Title

Copyright

Dedication

Contents

List of Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1: Opportunities

Chapter 2: Connections

Chapter 3: Visbility

Chapter 4: Pride

Chapter 5: Institutions

Epilogue

Positionality Statement

Notes

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

979-88-908505-3-9

1-4696-7057-7

979-88-908505-4-6

1-4696-7056-9