Robin
Piach
Professor
Sony Coráñez Bolton
ENGL
121
31
March 2015
Summary
In his article “Capitalism and Gay Identity” History and Women’s
and Gender Studies Professor John D’Emilio challenges what he refers to as the
myth of the ‘eternal homosexual.’ He expresses his stance against the idea that
“gay men and lesbians always were and always will be. We are everywhere; not just
now, but throughout history, in all societies and all periods.” (p. 468)
He feels that expression of this idea and lack of gay history will be a
hindrance to the future of political stance and the gay rights movement.
 |
| In this July 4, 1967 file photo Kay Tobin Lahusen, right, and other demonstrators carry signs calling for protection of homosexuals from discrimination as they march in a picket line in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. (The Associate Press) |
D’Emilio proposes this challenge because he fears
momentum from the 1970s successful political achievements will not carry into
the future because there is not an “accurate theory of gay history” he infers
“must be part of this political enterprise...to fashion our goals and
strategy.” (p. 468). Which suggests without knowing one's history, how
can provisions be made to insure a proper future? “These myths have limited our
political perspective.” (p. 468)
 |
| Aslett, John 18th Century Drawing |
D’Emilio argues that the identity of gay men and lesbians are a
product of history through the development of capitalism, the free labor system
and the independent freedom it offers. He supports this idea by comparing
the early seventeenth century Colonial American patriarchal lead communal
family system; in which family members were very interdependent on each other
for survival, and sex was for procreation purposes because creating a large
family work force was “as necessary for survival as producing grain.” (p. 469)
to the twentieth century family structure or lack thereof. The family structure
of the twentieth century was not driven by in-family production of goods to
survive, but had become a setting for nurturing relationships and a personal
life. “Capitalism weakens the bonds that once kept families together that their
members and experienced a growing instability in the place they have come to
expect happiness and emotional security.” (p. 473)
 |
| Shore Leave |
World War II
was a pivotal point in the development of the gay identity and community. D’Emilio
stated that “The war severely disrupted traditional patterns of gender
relations and sexuality, and temporarily created a new erotic situation
conducive to homosexual expression...Others could become gay because of the
temporary freedom to explore sexuality that the war provided.” (p. 471 -
472) D’Emilio suggest in this passage that being gay is a choice.
This statement especially coming from a gay man's perspective, I find
this a bit of a shock. The thought process behind this may just be a
generational or in line with the time period this article was written in.
 |
| Gay, August 17, 1970, page 15 |
D’Emilio argues that capitalism has changed the historical
family structure, created independence giving people the ability to have
personal and social lives, “has led to the separation of sexuality from
procreation.” (p. 474) Capitalism has made it possible for gay men and lesbians
to exist, and to build an “affectional community” (p. 475), and liberate for
civil freedoms. I do agree with these statements from the author.
Independence and a sense of community are key factors in self-discovery.
The self-discovery of individuals, community formation of like-minded
individuals, and freedom of expression are
the fundamental cornerstones of the Gay Rights movement. In his
article D'Emilo does put a strong emphasis on the family structure
and how the dynamics of that structure changed over time from the
result of an expanding capitalist society; it would have been nice to have him
expand on this thought and expand it into gay men and lesbians having their own
family structure. This may not have been as relevant to the part of
the development of gay identity during the course of historical growth of
the movement expressed out by the author, as it is during the current time
segment of the LGBT movement.
I do feel that D'Emilio is spot on with his
general assessment of capitalism and gay identity. As a
capitalistic society expanded so did the availability of independence for
personal self-discovery of identity, sexuality, and social experiences.
Identity and social experiences where men and women who recognized their
attraction for members of their own sex were able to break apart from norm and
commune with other like-minded individuals. Some areas where homosexuals
were able to meet and interact were bars, public bathhouses, social clubs,
literary societies and professional associations. The bonds of identity
and community formed at these times made it possible for the gay liberation and
women's liberation movements of the late 1960s and 1970s to be so successful.
While D'Emilio's argument of the relationship
between capitalism and formation of the gay identity is crucial point of the
article, for my application I would like to expand more on the history of the
gay man and lesbian that D'Emilio states didn't exist so until capitalism can
the free labor movement started to progress.
Citation
Aslett, John 18th Century Drawing. Web 29 March 2015
D'Emilio, John. "Capitalism and Gay Identity". The Lesbian and Gay Studies Reader. Ed. Abelove, Henry. Barale, Michele. Halperin, David. New York, NY: Routledge, 1993. Pages 467-476. Print.
Gay, August 17, 1970, page 15. Web, 29 March 2015
Glover, Tom. "Shore Leave". Web 29 March 2015
The Associated Press, Web. 29 March 2015
