KNOWhomo

LGBTQ* “Signs” from Our Past

“Vulva Hands” — A gesture of lesbian solidarity which was popular during the 1980s. It is believed that the gesture originated at the women’s peace camps at Greenham Common (England) and then spread to the USA. It is also the American Sign Language sign for “vagina.” 

Photo Above: Two forefingers, touching downward, and two thumbs, joined at the top, form a triangle. *For the sign of lesbian identity, the hands are held over the head in the air.

Photo Source: WikiMedia 

LGBTQ* History You Should Know

DID YOU KNOW?

The first recorded evidence of homosexuality is found in Mesopotamia circa 3000 B.C., where artifacts depict men having relations with other men.

Source: OUT IN ALL DIRECTIONS (1995) p. 162

Photo Source: Phantom Report

LGBTQ* Poets In History You May Have Missed:

(For more information, check out Women of the Beat Generation: The Writers, Artists and Muses at the Heart of a Revolution edited by Brenda Knight)

“Elise Cowen, though dead more than a quarter century, is in many ways more tangible than many of the other Beat women. She is alive in the pages of Joyce Johnson’s Minor Characters and in the memories of many of the survivors of the Beat Generation whom she marked forever with her generous friendship. Janine Pommy Vega with whom Elise lived for a time, says, “I still think about her every day. She was the smartest person I knew.”’

Elise met Allen Ginsberg and discovered that they had each met the now infamous Carl Solomon (for whom “Howl” by Allen Ginsberg was dedicated) through separate stays in mental institutions, and she and Ginsberg dated briefly. When Allen moved on after meeting his eventual life partner Peter Orlovsky, Elise remained emotionally attached to Ginsberg. She became romantically linked to a woman who went by the pseudonym “Sheila,” and the two couples actually lived together in an apartment for more than a year.

“Sitting”

by Elise Cowen

Sitting with you in the kitchen

Talking of anything

Drinking tea

I love you

“The” is a beautiful, regal, perfect word

Oh I wish your body here

With or without bearded poems

Queer Avoidance, Vocabulary, Euphemisms, and the Language of Lesbians

9 Ways the Early Twentieth-Century Newspaper

Reviewed Broadway Plays & Avoided Saying the “L” Word

1. “A Twisted Relationship” - New York Times, 1926
2. “A Warped Infatuation” - New York Times, 1926
3. “Tormenting Impulses” - World, 1926
4. “Bondage” - World, 1926
5. “The Poisonous Serpents Spell of Decadent Women” - Evening News, 1926
6. “A Cancerous Growth” - Daily News, 1926
7. “A Monstrous Sexual Perversion” - New York Evening Journal, 1934
8. “L—N” - New York Herald Tribune, 1934
9. “A Naughty Word” - New York Herald Tribune, 1934

16 (Ninetieth/Twentieth Century) Euphemisms for Lesbian Relationships

1. Smashes
2. Sentimental Friends
3. Special Friends
4. Romantic Friends
5. Two Hearts in Counsel
6. Love of Kindred Spirits
7. Boston Marriages
8. Urningin
9. Gynander
10. Viragint
11. Invert
12. Contrasexual
13. Androgne
14. Moderne
15. Roaring Girl
16. Female Adventurer

Lists From:

Richards, Dell. Lesbian Lists: A Look at Lesbian Culture, History, and Personalities. Boston: Alyson Publications, 1990

Research Ready. Queues Being Uploaded. LGBT* History Month Posts!

KNOW(more)homo! 

Oh, October you do such good things to this heart.

See everyone soon,

-Rebecca

LGBTQ* People You Should Know — Love Letters You Never Saw
(and a castle you should recognize)

Ludwig Friedrich Wilhelm II (pictured above) to Richard Wagner (Composer)

My one Friend, my ardently beloved!
          This afternoon, at 3.30, I returned from a glorious tour in Switzerland! How this land delighted me! – There I found your dear letter; deepest warmest thanks for the same. With new and burning enthusiasm has it filled me; I see that the beloved marches boldly and confidently forward, towards our great and eternal goal.
          All hindrances I will victoriously overcome like a hero. I am entirely at thy disposal; let me now dutifully prove it. – Yes, we must meet and speak together. I will banish all evil clouds; Love has strength for all. You are the star that shines upon my life, and the sight of you ever wonderfully strengthens me. – Ardently I long for you, O my presiding Saint, to whom I pray! I should be immensely pleased to see my friend here in about a week; oh, we have plenty to say! If only I could quite banish from me the curse of which you speak, and send it back to the deeps of night from whence it sprang! – How I love, how I love you, my one, my highest good! …
          My enthusiasm and love for you are boundless. Once more I swear you faith till death!
          Ever, ever your devoted
                    Ludwig

Note: Ludwig II was the King of Bavaria from 1864-1886. As a young man he discovered the works of Wagner and became one of the composers biggest fans. Many historians argue that Ludwig was gay but due to his Roman Catholic beliefs fought against his feelings. There are speculations of Ludwig’s involvement with military men and important men of the theatre, including a friendship of question with Josef Kainz.  His engagement (to Duchess Sophie of Bavaria) never finished in a marriage; he called it off due stating that no love or reason is enough to marry.

Wagner never returned the attraction. His letters were less of admiration and more of political strategy.

During the time in Ludwig’s court, rumor circulated that Wagner may be homosexual. It has been argued/proven that Wagner was a womanizer and was using the young king for his money and advancements. After Ludwig’s court kicked Wagner out of the King’s castle(s) and royal engagements, Ludwig continued to think of the composer. Wagner had such an impression on Ludwig that many of his castles where designed in dedication to Wagner or themes within Wagner’s work, including Neuschwanstein.

Recognize it? Maybe you will recognize its famous illustrated/trademark form:

 For more information:

King, Greg. The Mad King: The Life and Times of Ludwig II of Bavaria. (1996)

McIntosh, Christopher. The Swan King: Ludwig II of Bavaria. (1982) 

Wrba, Ernst (photos) & Kühler, Michael (text). The Castles of King Ludwig II. (Verlagshaus Würzburg, 2008)

Till, Wolfgang: Ludwig II King of Bavaria: Myth and Truth (2010)

LGBTQ* History Infographic

Queer History (1200s-2005) —

Note: Focus heavy on the UK, many US laws/history not represented

From JobCenterPlus

To view graphic X4 larger, click on the KNOWhomo.tumblr page, click on the notes and then click graphic. It will open in a new window. Click graphic to change sizes.