Queer History Spotlights

As a social studies teacher, I feel the burden of the history I will have to teach. I feel the weight of the responsibility that I hold to ensure that my students ignite their curiosity and drive to become explorative and inquisitive learners. The responsibility to tell the whole story of history, not just the one-sided stories left behind by the victors. The responsibility to shine light on the parallels that accompany the “traditional” narrative. Through out the year students will engage with a variety of historical sources and first hand accounts from people from multiple backgrounds. One of these opportunities will come in the form of “Queer History Spotlights” with each of the units that we cover to highlight some of the people history has failed to celebrate. When studying about the Civil War students will learn about the key figures and events, but students will also learn about Albert Cashier; a trans individuals who fought or the Union. When learning about the Harlem Renaissance students will explore the many contributions of Black artists, writers, and intellectuals, and they will also learn about many of the queer people of color who were also influential to this movement. I will actively create opportunities to include as many diverse perspectives and voices as possible in my classroom.

These lessons are paired with the standard curriculum covered over the course of the year, but they focus on highlighting the stories and achievements of LGBTQ+ people in American History. During these lessons students will work on completing their Queer History Vocabulary List. This will serve as a glossary of queer historical figures and identities for students to refer back to over the course of the year.

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Albert Cashier

An American solider who served in the Union army during the Civil War. Born Jennie Irene Hodgers, Albert took on the identity of a man before enlisting and maintained that identity until their death in 1915.

William Dorsey Swann

An American LGBT activist in a time where leadership in the movement was uncommon. Born into slavery, he was the first person in the United States to lead a queer resistance group and the first known person to self-identify as a "queen of drag".

Gladys Bentley

A Harlem Renaissance blues singer and cross dresser, performing under the name of Bobbie Minton. She was a pioneer in pushing the envelope of gender, sexuality, class, and race with parody and exaggeration, personally and professionally.

Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon

They had been together for three years when they cofounded the Daughters of Bilitis in San Francisco in 1955, which became the first social and political organization for lesbians in the United States.

Marsha P. Johnson

An American gay liberation activist and self-identified drag queen. Known as an outspoken advocate for gay rights, Johnson was one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall uprising of 1969.

Harvey Milk

An American politician and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.