Difference between revisions of "Wilson Collection: Same-Sex Desire in the Old West"
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[[File:Oldwestminersdance.jpg]] | [[File:Oldwestminersdance.jpg]] | ||
− | (Print from the article “Pioneer Mining in California” | + | ''(Print from the article “Pioneer Mining in California” |
− | in The Century Magazine, May 1891) | + | in The Century Magazine, May 1891)'' |
Under construction. | Under construction. | ||
− | Same-Sex Desire in the Old West | + | '''Same-Sex Desire in the Old West''' |
Sexual and gender nonconformity lay at the heart of the Old West. A mining camp description from 1852 says, “Dancing parties such as these [all-male miners' dances] were very common, especially in small camps.”[1] | Sexual and gender nonconformity lay at the heart of the Old West. A mining camp description from 1852 says, “Dancing parties such as these [all-male miners' dances] were very common, especially in small camps.”[1] | ||
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And in California, in 1876, Jeanne Bonnet (a reputed “man hater”) was killed by a hail of bullets through her bedroom window.[3] She was in bed awaiting her bedmate Blanche Beunon who was busy undressing. Guilty fingers pointed to Beunon's jilted male lover. | And in California, in 1876, Jeanne Bonnet (a reputed “man hater”) was killed by a hail of bullets through her bedroom window.[3] She was in bed awaiting her bedmate Blanche Beunon who was busy undressing. Guilty fingers pointed to Beunon's jilted male lover. | ||
− | References | + | ''References'' |
+ | |||
1. Peter Boag, Re-Dressing America's Frontier Past (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011), 214 n. 7. | 1. Peter Boag, Re-Dressing America's Frontier Past (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011), 214 n. 7. | ||
2. Ibid., 130. | 2. Ibid., 130. | ||
3. Ibid., 35. | 3. Ibid., 35. |
Revision as of 18:51, 3 November 2012
(Print from the article “Pioneer Mining in California” in The Century Magazine, May 1891)
Under construction.
Same-Sex Desire in the Old West
Sexual and gender nonconformity lay at the heart of the Old West. A mining camp description from 1852 says, “Dancing parties such as these [all-male miners' dances] were very common, especially in small camps.”[1]
A “Mrs. Nash” served ten years as laundress with Custer's Seventh Calvary.[2] When she died in 1878 her male sex was discovered. Her third soldier-husband killed himself over the resulting ridicule he faced from fellow soldiers.
And in California, in 1876, Jeanne Bonnet (a reputed “man hater”) was killed by a hail of bullets through her bedroom window.[3] She was in bed awaiting her bedmate Blanche Beunon who was busy undressing. Guilty fingers pointed to Beunon's jilted male lover.
References
1. Peter Boag, Re-Dressing America's Frontier Past (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011), 214 n. 7. 2. Ibid., 130. 3. Ibid., 35.