Cover image for Public Faces, Secret Lives: A Queer History of the Women’s Suffrage Movement courtesy of NYU Press. Headshot of author Wendy L. Rouse, used with permission.

DESCRIPTION

The traditional narrative of women’s suffrage history sanitized the lives of lesbian and queer suffragists, leading to the erasure of the queer history of the movement. Yet, it was often queer suffragists who helped propel the movement forward, as they challenged the gender and sexual norms of their day. In this talk showcasing her newest book, Public Faces, Secret Lives: A Queer History of the Women’s Suffrage Movement, historian Wendy Rouse will share the results of her efforts to recover the queer history of the fight for the vote.

SPEAKERS

Wendy L. Rouse (she/her) is a historian specializing in recovering the stories of women and children in the United States during the Progressive Era. In addition to Public Faces, Secret Lives: A Queer History of the Women's Suffrage Movement (NYU Press, 2022), Rouse is also the author of Her Own Hero: The Origins of the Women's Self-Defense Movement (NYU Press, 2017) which examines the emergence of women’s self-defense alongside the first-wave of feminism during the Progressive Era; and Children of Chinatown: Growing up Chinese American in San Francisco (UNC Press, 2009) which explores the lives of Chinese American children during the era of Chinese exclusion. Rouse is an Associate Professor of History at San Jose State University.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

This event will take place online. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with a link and instructions on how to join.

ADMISSION

$5 | Free for members

Register online here: https://bit.ly/30SqoFs

ASL INTERPRETATION

ASL interpretation provided upon request. Please write at least three days in advance of event to leigh@glbthistory.org.

JOIN THE GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Become a member of the GLBT Historical Society for free museum and program admission, discounts in the museum shop and other perks: www.glbthistory.org/memberships.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For more information about Public Faces, Secret Lives: A Queer History of the Women's Suffrage Movement, see the publisher’s webpage here: https://nyupress.org/9781479813940/public-faces-secret-lives/.