Comments on: 150 years of photos of American lesbians http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 14:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: LightningRose http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1539928 LightningRose Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1539928  Actually, that photo was characterized as being from the 1880's, both here and at the original website. After my comment, the original website has now moved the photo into the 1930's category. http://www.autostraddle.com/150-years-of-lesbians-144337/#comment-242238  Actually, that photo was characterized as being from the 1880′s, both here and at the original website. After my comment, the original website has now moved the photo into the 1930′s category.

http://www.autostraddle.com/150-years-of-lesbians-144337/#comment-242238

]]> By: zureta http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1539533 zureta Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1539533 Thinking the same thing. Related: http://artofmanliness.com/2012/07/29/bosom-buddies-a-photo-history-of-male-affection/ Thinking the same thing.

Related:
http://artofmanliness.com/2012/07/29/bosom-buddies-a-photo-history-of-male-affection/

]]> By: Penny Perrault Duff http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1539336 Penny Perrault Duff Mon, 24 Sep 2012 01:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1539336  Honey, they didn't say that pic was from the 1880s.  They just gave the date range for the collection of photos.  You're right--does look like the early 1930s.  Honey, they didn’t say that pic was from the 1880s.  They just gave the date range for the collection of photos.  You’re right–does look like the early 1930s.

]]> By: Megan Simmons http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1539330 Megan Simmons Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1539330 Call me a skeptic, but it seems a bit presumptuous to assume that because these are pictures of women together, and of women breaking traditional gender roles of their times by wearing "mens" clothing, that these women are lesbians. I'm sure some of them are, but it could also be that some of these were just totally awesome women who wanted to wear pants. That being said, these are great photographs, and I'm happy that women have been bending gender stereotypes since the dawn of pants. Call me a skeptic, but it seems a bit presumptuous to assume that because these are pictures of women together, and of women breaking traditional gender roles of their times by wearing “mens” clothing, that these women are lesbians. I’m sure some of them are, but it could also be that some of these were just totally awesome women who wanted to wear pants.

That being said, these are great photographs, and I’m happy that women have been bending gender stereotypes since the dawn of pants.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1539050 Antinous / Moderator Sun, 23 Sep 2012 03:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1539050 YMMV YMMV

]]> By: austinhamman http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538992 austinhamman Sun, 23 Sep 2012 00:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538992  then it sounds like reclaiming doesnt work at all.  then it sounds like reclaiming doesnt work at all.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538458 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 21 Sep 2012 23:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538458 Reclaiming it doesn't magically wipe out the history. Nor does everyone want to reclaim it. Reclaiming it doesn’t magically wipe out the history. Nor does everyone want to reclaim it.

]]> By: GrueHunter http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538433 GrueHunter Fri, 21 Sep 2012 22:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538433 Herstory?  Behrt Ehr dehrnt lehrk herstory, jehrst Gersbehrmps.  Herstory?  Behrt Ehr dehrnt lehrk herstory, jehrst Gersbehrmps. 

]]> By: Hannukah Dreidl http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538394 Hannukah Dreidl Fri, 21 Sep 2012 22:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538394 BTW, ancient Greeks didn't call women who preferred other women "lesbians". "Lesbian" was a 19th century euphemism for "Sapphist" (after Sappho, the famous ancient Greek female poet from Lesbos who wrote about her love for women). "Sapphist" itself was a coded euphemism based on upper-class male familiarity with classic Greek and Roman literature. In the 19th century, women might have been called "tribades" - from the French expression for women who presumably entwined their legs together for sexual satisfaction, or "toms" - that is, a masculine pussy. The expression remains in the disparaging "tomboy"."Dyke" was also used by the late Victorian era. BTW, ancient Greeks didn’t call women who preferred other women “lesbians”. “Lesbian” was a 19th century euphemism for “Sapphist” (after Sappho, the famous ancient Greek female poet from Lesbos who wrote about her love for women). “Sapphist” itself was a coded euphemism based on upper-class male familiarity with classic Greek and Roman literature. In the 19th century, women might have been called “tribades” – from the French expression for women who presumably entwined their legs together for sexual satisfaction, or “toms” – that is, a masculine pussy. The expression remains in the disparaging “tomboy”.”Dyke” was also used by the late Victorian era.

]]> By: austinhamman http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538306 austinhamman Fri, 21 Sep 2012 20:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538306  isn't that the point of reclaiming something...to change that?  isn’t that the point of reclaiming something…to change that?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538268 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 21 Sep 2012 20:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538268 It's always been considered a slur. The fact that some lesbians reclaimed it in the 1970s doesn't change that. It’s always been considered a slur. The fact that some lesbians reclaimed it in the 1970s doesn’t change that.

]]> By: austinhamman http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538249 austinhamman Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538249 yeah me too, i dont know quite how it came to be associated with lesbians, nor why it is offensive. but it does sound nice...though it tends to give me more of an image of a dam... yeah me too, i dont know quite how it came to be associated with lesbians, nor why it is offensive. but it does sound nice…though it tends to give me more of an image of a dam…

]]> By: mysterymoil http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538227 mysterymoil Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538227 I like dyke, or at least the sound of it, but, I'd never use it to describe a lesbian. I like dyke, or at least the sound of it, but, I’d never use it to describe a lesbian.

]]> By: John Verne http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538045 John Verne Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538045 I'm a little uncomfortable just assuming that the women in some of these pictures are lesbians (or what self-identify as such). Anyone who has spent a little time with old photos, even from a few generations ago, will recognize that friends used to be a little more touchy feely than we are today. Men and women both would routinely link arms or hold hands in what would have been recognized then as merely familiar and friendly. No doubt some of the folks here would have had a love that dare not speak its name (etc.) but you might not be able to tell who that is simply from how cozy and familiar they are in pictures of the era. I’m a little uncomfortable just assuming that the women in some of these pictures are lesbians (or what self-identify as such). Anyone who has spent a little time with old photos, even from a few generations ago, will recognize that friends used to be a little more touchy feely than we are today. Men and women both would routinely link arms or hold hands in what would have been recognized then as merely familiar and friendly.

No doubt some of the folks here would have had a love that dare not speak its name (etc.) but you might not be able to tell who that is simply from how cozy and familiar they are in pictures of the era.

]]> By: MelSkunk http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538006 MelSkunk Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538006 I have an aunt who's always bringing her best friend to family events even though she's married and after I came out my mom took me aside and explained why that was, exactly, and OH MY GOD.. I have an aunt who’s always bringing her best friend to family events even though she’s married and after I came out my mom took me aside and explained why that was, exactly, and OH MY GOD..

]]> By: LightningRose http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1538002 LightningRose Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1538002 One possible correction. In the photo of Gladys and Annabell, The house, their style of dress (in particular, Annabell's dress is well above her ankles), the blue ink, and the overall quality of the photo suggests early 1930's rather than the 1880's. (I've made the same comment at the linked website) One possible correction. In the photo of Gladys and Annabell, The house, their style of dress (in particular, Annabell’s dress is well above her ankles), the blue ink, and the overall quality of the photo suggests early 1930′s rather than the 1880′s.

(I’ve made the same comment at the linked website)

]]> By: PaulDavisTheFirst http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537915 PaulDavisTheFirst Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537915 <blockquote> regular human beings, writers and social activists.</blockquote> not sure what to say about this .... odd phrasing, is all.

regular human beings, writers and social activists.

not sure what to say about this …. odd phrasing, is all.

]]> By: Layne http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537889 Layne Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537889 Boy, you beat a whole lot of people to that punch...myself included. My great aunt is gay and these pictures remind me a whole lot of her various photos with all her "friends" throughout the years.  Sad and melancholy in the way that old photos usually are.  Boy, you beat a whole lot of people to that punch…myself included.

My great aunt is gay and these pictures remind me a whole lot of her various photos with all her “friends” throughout the years. 

Sad and melancholy in the way that old photos usually are. 

]]> By: Mantissa128 http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537880 Mantissa128 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537880 Because it's easier to rail against words than do something constructive to change the unacceptable situation. Because it’s easier to rail against words than do something constructive to change the unacceptable situation.

]]> By: austinhamman http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537861 austinhamman Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537861 definitely, probably why they are all laughing in the picture. on a side note, when did "dyke" becomes offensive? i see these pictures and i see all these girls self identifying as "dyke" even up to the 1990's but today dyke is considered a slur, when did that happen? definitely, probably why they are all laughing in the picture.
on a side note, when did “dyke” becomes offensive? i see these pictures and i see all these girls self identifying as “dyke” even up to the 1990′s but today dyke is considered a slur, when did that happen?

]]> By: LaylaSV http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537845 LaylaSV Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537845 I had this issue as well. I really wanted the series to be exactly as stated, pictures of lesbians. But without accompanying text explaining who the women are, or without body language clearly demarking a couple, some of the pictures felt like portraits of people who are, yes, outside the cultural norm, but who may or may not actually be gay.  Am I left to assume that everyone fraternizing with a lesbian is gay and that no straight women ever wore pants? In that I think it does a disservice. [BTW, is there a female equivalent to fraternizing? Sororitizing? Using fraternizing for a bunch of females being friendly just seems inaccurate.] I had this issue as well. I really wanted the series to be exactly as stated, pictures of lesbians. But without accompanying text explaining who the women are, or without body language clearly demarking a couple, some of the pictures felt like portraits of people who are, yes, outside the cultural norm, but who may or may not actually be gay.  Am I left to assume that everyone fraternizing with a lesbian is gay and that no straight women ever wore pants?

In that I think it does a disservice.

[BTW, is there a female equivalent to fraternizing? Sororitizing? Using fraternizing for a bunch of females being friendly just seems inaccurate.]

]]> By: Christopher http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537835 Christopher Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537835 I know you're kidding, and it made me laugh, but do a Google search for Tennessee state representative Richard Floyd. Or just Google the phrase "stomp a mudhole". Amazing progress has been made in the past 150 years. It's even more amazing when you consider the sort of people who are still trying to prevent it.  I know you’re kidding, and it made me laugh, but do a Google search for Tennessee state representative Richard Floyd.

Or just Google the phrase “stomp a mudhole”.

Amazing progress has been made in the past 150 years. It’s even more amazing when you consider the sort of people who are still trying to prevent it. 

]]> By: Wisconsin Platt http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537831 Wisconsin Platt Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537831 What?  Did you never see Laverne and Shirley?  By then they'd reduced it down to a single letter, but the thought remains. What?  Did you never see Laverne and Shirley?  By then they’d reduced it down to a single letter, but the thought remains.

]]> By: JhmL http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537747 JhmL Fri, 21 Sep 2012 08:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537747 These were terrific, thank you. The 50s Idaho bank pic was my favorite, something rockwellian in that one... :) These were terrific, thank you. The 50s Idaho bank pic was my favorite, something rockwellian in that one… :)

]]> By: HubrisSonic http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537739 HubrisSonic Fri, 21 Sep 2012 08:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537739  Well, thats probably why they stopped there for a picture, dont ya think?  Well, thats probably why they stopped there for a picture, dont ya think?

]]> By: Svelasco http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537718 Svelasco Fri, 21 Sep 2012 06:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537718 "Honestly before tumblr it was difficult to find very much lesbian imagery at all online — it was always the same ten or twelve stock photos — let alone pictures of lesbians taken prior to 2000." I beg to differ.... as far as I can remember using the internet have I been able to find tens, nay, hundreds, nay thousands of lesbian images. “Honestly before tumblr it was difficult to find very much lesbian imagery at all online — it was always the same ten or twelve stock photos — let alone pictures of lesbians taken prior to 2000.”

I beg to differ…. as far as I can remember using the internet have I been able to find tens, nay, hundreds, nay thousands of lesbian images.

]]> By: GoatLordMessiah http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537714 GoatLordMessiah Fri, 21 Sep 2012 06:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537714 To know who wore the pants in the relationship. {rimshot} I'll be here all week. Be sure to tip. To know who wore the pants in the relationship.

{rimshot}

I’ll be here all week. Be sure to tip.

]]> By: Tribune http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537693 Tribune Fri, 21 Sep 2012 05:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537693 Statistics Canada noticed a problem with their married same sex data recently. It was strangely elevated in some small communities. The culprit apparently was the issue of same sex roommates who were also married - but not to each other. So places like the oil patch where people would go to work and be living with other workers were showing up as hotbeds of same sex married couples. I will try to find a link and edit it in. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/09/19/census-same-sex-marriage-family.html Statistics Canada noticed a problem with their married same sex data recently. It was strangely elevated in some small communities. The culprit apparently was the issue of same sex roommates who were also married – but not to each other. So places like the oil patch where people would go to work and be living with other workers were showing up as hotbeds of same sex married couples.

I will try to find a link and edit it in.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/09/19/census-same-sex-marriage-family.html

]]> By: Doran http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537674 Doran Fri, 21 Sep 2012 05:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537674 Just love the second one under <b>1900s</b>. It's labeled <i>"1900s - aw"</i> and that's exactly the way I felt when I saw it. Just love the second one under 1900s. It’s labeled “1900s – aw” and that’s exactly the way I felt when I saw it.

]]> By: spookiewon http://boingboing.net/2012/09/20/150-years-of-photos-of-america.html#comment-1537659 spookiewon Fri, 21 Sep 2012 04:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=182247#comment-1537659 Thanks Cory! Thanks Cory!

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