My research focuses on LGBTQIA+ organizing in St. Louis, specifically feminist and women’s organizing. As a lesbian and a queer* woman, I am honored to have a role in creating an archive for our community, recording the history of “the womyn before me” (to borrow from slam poet Alix Olson), as well as the women who continue to do this work.
Currently, I am researching lesbian and queer women’s activism in St. Louis, from the 1970s forward. Since 2020, I have conducted numerous interviews with activists involved in a variety of formal and informal lesbian/ women’s organizations, including the Women’s Eye Bookstore, Red Tomatoe, Inc., the Lesbian Alliance, and lesbian collectives such as July House and Thornapple House. Some of this research will be featured in the forthcoming anthology Left in the Midwest: Building Progressive Social Movements in 1960s and ‘70s St. Louis (University of Missouri Press, 2022).
In the meantime, I continue to receive regular emails from folks in our community who want to see this history told. I share this commitment and am grateful to play a role in bringing this goal to fruition. Here’s how you can help.
1) Talk to me!
I’m interested in interviewing individuals and small groups about their experiences as lesbians or queer women in St. Louis. This includes current and past St. Louisans, folks who’ve spent decades in the city or only lived here briefly, folks who identify as activists and folks who “just” attended social gatherings, made art, or simply lived their lives. Due to COVID, all interviews are currently being conducted remotely, and I’m happy to arrange the format that works best for you (e.g. phone, email, Zoom, etc).
2) Show me stuff!
I’m interested in seeing any materials you have connected to lesbian and queer women’s history in our city, including concert programs, event flyers, t-shirts, video footage, cassette tapes, photographs, social media posts, bar parephenalia… the list goes on. Basically, I am deeply curious about the contents of your basement/ closet/ file cabinet/ garage, etc. Please reach out to arrange a way to share materials virtually (e.g. send pictures, etc) or to set up a socially distant pick-up and return.
3) Pass this on!
If there’s someone involved or previously involved with LGBTQIA+ St. Louis that you think might be interested and willing to help, please share this with them.
If you’re interested and/ or have questions, please email me at mary.maxfield@slu.edu or click the button below.
*Although I personally identify as lesbian and queer (and often use the word “queer” as an umbrella term synonymous with “LGBTQIA+”), many of the subjects who have shared their stories with me prefer one of these terms or other terms (e.g. bi, trans, pan, etc). I recognize that identity terms are both deeply personal and influenced by social experiences. For example, I have mainly encountered terms like “queer” and “dyke” in a context of in-group reclamation — as the self-identification terms of queer theorists, radical lesbians, etc — which contributes to my affection for them. Others have experienced these terms primarily as slurs and are not comfortable with them. I strive in my work to use the language people use for themselves and to respect the larger context that makes this language complicated. I am also actively working to expand the communities I collaborate with beyond those who share my identity, supporting efforts to document groups led Black queer women and other queer women of color; trans women; etc. If you’re concerned about the language I’m using or want to have a discussion about how I can best respect and value you and your contributions to the project, please reach out.