Sex in the Archives: Writing American Sexual Histories

The archive has gained new importance in the study of sex, and this book explores various archives, including the Kinsey Institutes erotic art, gay masturbatory journals, and a photographic dossier on Baltimore hustlers. It sheds light on American sexual history, covering topics such as homoeroticism, casual sex, transgenderism, New York queer sex, masturbation, pornography, and sex in the city. Appealing to a broad audience, the book explores American studies, sexuality studies, contemporary history, sex history, psychology, anthropology, sociology, gender studies, queer studies, trans studies, pornography studies, visual studies, museum studies, and media studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2018
Publisher: Manchester University Press

The significance of archives in the study of sex has recently gained increased attention, and this book explores a diverse range of such archives. These include the erotic art collection at the Kinsey Institutes, gay masturbatory journals housed in the New York Public Library, the private archive of an amateur pornographer, and a comprehensive photographic dossier documenting Baltimore hustlers over an extended period. By shedding new light on American sexual history, the topics covered in this book are both fascinating and wide-ranging. They encompass various aspects of homoeroticism, casual sex practices before the emergence of hookup culture, transgender experiences, New York's queer sex scene, masturbation, pornography, sex in urban environments, and more.

This book will have broad appeal to a wide readership, including scholars and students interested in American studies, sexuality studies, contemporary history, the history of sex, psychology, anthropology, sociology, gender studies, queer studies, trans studies, pornography studies, visual studies, museum studies, and media studies. The insights and perspectives offered by these archives provide valuable contributions to our understanding of sexual practices, attitudes, and experiences across different periods and cultures.

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 141 x 216 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526124548