Summary

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