The Famous Lady Lovers: Black Women and Queer Desire before Stonewall by Cookie Woolner (review).

  • Published In: Journal of the History of Sexuality, 2025, v. 34, n. 1. P. 162 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Ewing, K. T. 3 of 3

Abstract

"The Famous Lady Lovers: Black Women and Queer Desire before Stonewall" by Cookie Woolner challenges mainstream historical narratives by highlighting the contributions of Black queer women in shaping early twentieth-century sexual subcultures. Through a meticulous examination of various sources, Woolner reanimates the stories of iconic figures like Bessie Smith and Ethel Waters, shedding light on their cultural impact beyond entertainment. The book explores how Black queer women navigated societal challenges, created communities, and played central roles in shaping modernity, offering a nuanced understanding of their experiences. Woolner's work underscores the importance of recognizing the historical significance of Black queer women and their contributions to popular culture and modern society. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of the History of Sexuality. 2025/01, Vol. 34, Issue 1, p162
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1043-4070
  • DOI:10.1353/sex.00012
  • Accession Number:182310819
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of the History of Sexuality is the property of University of Texas Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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