In the late 19th century, St. Louis--America's fourth-largest city--was a hub of robust commerce and risqué entertainment. It provided an oasis for those who lived...
In the late 19th century, St. Louis--America's fourth-largest city--was a hub of robust commerce and risqué entertainment. It provided an oasis for those who lived in the shadows. Since 1764, the Gateway to the West's LGBT community has experienced countless struggles and successes, including protests, arrests, murders, celebrations, and parades. St. Louis had its own version of Stonewall in October 1969 and is the hometown of icons such as Tennessee Williams and Josephine Baker. A colorful array of activists, drag queens, leather men, artists, academics, business leaders, and everyday folks have contributed to the rich fabric of the lesbian and gay community in St. Louis.
Author Steven Louis Brawley is a historian specializing in LGBT topics. In 2007, he founded the St. Louis LGBT History Project in an effort to help preserve and promote the region's LGBT legacy. The St. Louis community has rallied behind the project, helping amass and archive a rich collection of artifacts and photographs that offer a window into the vibrant LGBT past of St. Louis. Images of America: Gay and Lesbian St. Louis features photographs from project donors, the Missouri History Museum, the State Historical Society of Missouri, local newspapers, and private collections.