Communists in Closets: Queering the History 1930s-1990s

Communists in Closets: Queering the History 1930s–1990s explores the history of gay, lesbian, and non-heterosexual people in the Communist Party in the United States, who were banned from membership in 1938 and persisted in this policy until 1991. Despite this homophobia, individual Communists laid the political and theoretical foundations for lesbian and gay liberation and womens liberation and contributed significantly to peace, social justice, civil rights, and Black and Latinx liberation movements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 09 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Communists in Closets: Queering the History 1930s–1990s delves into the captivating tale of gay, lesbian, and non-heterosexual individuals within the Communist Party in the United States. The Communist Party, in its early days, took a harsh stance by banning lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals from its membership in 1938, labeling them as degenerates. This discriminatory policy persisted for a remarkable 60 years, until 1991. During this period, those who dared to identify as LGBT within the Communist Party were forced to lead deeply closeted lives, both within the party and in their public appearances as both queer and Communists.

By the late 1930s, the Communist Party had amassed a substantial membership, reaching close to 100,000 individuals. Moreover, tens of thousands more were drawn into its orbit through various initiatives, including the Popular Front against fascism, anti-racist organizing, particularly in the southern regions, and its widely acclaimed cultural magazine, The New Masses.

In her groundbreaking work, Bettina Aptheker, drawing upon a decade of extensive archival research, correspondence, and personal interviews, delves into this rich history. Aptheker's unique perspective, as a closeted lesbian who actively participated in the Communist Party during the 1960s and '70s, adds an intimate layer to the narrative.

Ironically, despite the pervasive homophobia within the party, individual Communists played a significant role in laying the political and theoretical foundations for lesbian and gay liberation, as well as womens liberation. Their contributions to peace, social justice, civil rights, and Black and Latinx liberation movements cannot be overstated.

Communists in Closets: Queering the History 1930s–1990s is a captivating and thought-provoking book that will captivate students, scholars, and general readers alike. It offers a profound exploration of a marginalized and often overlooked chapter in American political history, shedding light on the complex interplay between sexuality, politics, and social movements. This book is a valuable addition to the fields of political history, gender studies, and the history of sexuality, providing a fresh perspective on a period of profound societal change.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032035840