HIS1005H: Reading Queer and Trans Histories of North America

This seminar examines the history of LGBQT2+ peoples in the U.S. and Canada, with an emphasis on the post-1945 era. We will examine the emergence of sexual and gender identity categories over time, emphasizing transnational and intersectional approaches to LGBQT2+ history. Topics will include histories of social movements; state regulation; dis/ability; queer and trans cultural production; Two Spirit activism; racial formation; transnational capital; and settler colonialism. While most of the course reading will focus on recently published works of historical scholarship, we will also read some theory that connects these works to larger themes in queer and trans studies. The class will include a visit to The ArQuives in Toronto, the world’s largest and oldest queer community archive. This will enable students to get a sense of the important primary sources in Black, Two-Spirit, and other histories that are available there, and encourage use of those materials. This seminar encourages traditional forms of engagement with course readings (papers, reading responses) as well as emerging and alternative modalities (public writing, digital storytelling). Authors may include Julian Gill-Peterson, Susan Stryker, Hil Malatino, Kevin Mumford, Marc Stein, El Chenier, Albert McLeod, Steven Maynard, Marvellous Grounds, Julio Capo, Emily Skidmore, Joseph Plaster, and others.

0.50
St. George