The essays in this volume address queer identity and sexuality in such varied places as Mennonite mummers’ plays and Chinese folklore. In case the reader was about to dismiss the writings as not relevant to contemporary American life, rockabilly culture and cinematic interpretations of the Brothers Grimm are also covered.
LGBTQ+
Coming Out, Coming Home: Reclaiming a Place to Belong
The author provides an introduction to this special issue on gay and lesbian folklore
Hothead Paisan: Clearing a Space for a Lesbian Feminist Folklore
The author discusses a currently produced, independent comic “zine” which uses the myths and symbolism of lesbian identity.
Gay Men’s English: Cooperative Discourse in a Language of Risk
A study of the dynamics of language and gender among gay men.
Something to Remember Me By: Maupin’s Tales of the City Novels as Artifacts in Contemporary Gay Folk Culture
The author analyzes the role of folklore by Armistad Maupin, in his series of novels based on gay life in San Francisco, CA.
“I Would Rather be Fixated on the Lord”: Women’s Religion, Men’s Power, and the ‘Dignity’ Problem
Primiano studies the Phildelphia chapter of the Catholic group “Dignity” as an expression of vernacular religion among gay and lesbian Catholics.
Body Rhetoric: A Study in Lesbian Coding
Laude documents the non-verbal codes for lesbian communities in the Mid-Western United States.
Untitled: Opus 7 (This is Folklore) or Purity and Danger: An Interpretation
The author is concerned with how the qualities of a particular space carry meaning and how this meaning relates to a folk cultural group.
Lesbian Folklore: A New Day Coming
A photographic essay about the lesbian community
Lesbian Code: Dyke Spotting in Heteropatriarchyland
Alix Dobkin is a singer songwriter. Her piece is about the identity markers used by the lesbian community. The essay includes one of her songs.
“Looking for Some Sort of Love”: The sexual Life History of a Gay Man
An interview based essay on one person’s sexual life hisotry.
Exploring Frontiers: An American Tradition
A memoir about the Homosexual Rights Movement of 1950s Los Angeles.
Rewriting Tradition: The Queer Politics of a Lesbian Folklorist
An essay about the intersection of folklore and song-writing.
The Dangers of Authenticity
An editorial essay preceding a special issue volume on gay and lesbian folklore .