Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World War TwoAmong the many histories of fighting men and women in World War II, little has been written about the thousands of homosexuals who found themselves fighting two wars--one for their country, the other for their own survival as targets of a military policy that sought their discharge as "undesirables." To write this long overdue chapter of American history, Allan Bérubé spent ten years interviewing gay and lesbian veterans, unearthed hundreds of wartime letters between gay GIs, and obtained thousands of pages of newly declassified government documents. While some gay and lesbian soldiers collapsed under the fear of being arrested, interrogated, discharged, and publicly humiliated, many drew strength from deep wartime friendships. Relying on their own secret culture of slang, body language, and "camp" to find each other and build spontaneous communities, they learned, both on and off the battlefield, to be proud of their contribution and of who they were.--From publisher description. |
Other editions - View all
Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World War II Allan Bérubé Limited preview - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
activity American appeal armed Army asked August bars base became began believed blue buddies called Camp cities civilian combat commanding Corps Correspondence Department described developed directive discharge draft drag duty enlisted examiners experience explained female fighting File forces friends gay men homosexual hospital impersonation interview issued January Journal July lesbian Letter lives looked male March Marine Menninger military military's morale names Naval Navy night November October officers organization patients performed person personnel played policies practice Press prison problem procedures protect psychiatric psychiatrists psychopaths queer recalled records recruits Report Review San Francisco screening Selective served sexual social soldiers sometimes Special Station Taylor United Variety veterans wartime Washington women World wrote York young