LGBTQ America: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History - Theme Study

Oct 6, 2026

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LGBTQ America presents an in-depth theme study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history through essays collected under a National Park Foundation and National Park Service publication framework. It opens with context on why LGBTQ historic sites matter and how the LGBTQ Heritage Initiative approaches preservation. Subsequent sections address intersectionality, queer heritage, inclusive storytelling, activism, intersectional identities, and major themes such as spaces and community, civil rights, law, military service, religion, health, art, and sport, followed by place-based chapters and legacy guidance for interpretation and teaching.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages1262

Reading Time32 h 23 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction to the LGBTQ Heritage Initiative Theme Study

Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) History in the United States

Preserving LGBTQ History

Inclusive Stories and Intersectionality

Making Bisexuals Visible

Themes

LGBTQ Spaces and Places

Making Community: Collective Identity Formation

LGBTQ Business and Commerce

Sex, Love, and Relationships

Struggles and Triumphs in LGBTQ Civil Rights

Historical Landmarks and Landscapes of LGBTQ Law

LGBTQ Military Service

Struggles in Body and Spirit: Religion and LGBTQ People

LGBTQ and Health

LGBTQ Art and Artists

LGBTQ Sport and Leisure

Places

San Francisco: Placing LGBTQ Histories in the City by the Bay

Preservation of LGBTQ Historic & Cultural Sites – A New York City Perspective

Locating Miami’s Queer History

Queerest Little City in the World: LGBTQ Reno

Chicago: Queer Histories at the Crossroads of America

Legacy

Nominating LGBTQ Places to the National Register of Historic Places

Interpreting LGBTQ Historic Sites

Teaching LGBTQ History and Heritage

Appendix A: Places Identified in the Text

LGBTQ America: A Theme Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History Edited by Megan E. Springate Published online 2016 [www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/lgbtqthemestudy.htm](www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/lgbtqthemestudy.htm) [LGBTQ America: A Theme Study of Lesbian](LGBTQ America: A Theme Study of Lesbian), Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History is a publication of the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service. We are very grateful for the generous support of the Gill Foundation, which has made this publication possible. The views and conclusions contained in the essays are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government. © 2016 National Park Foundation Washington, DC All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without permission from the publishers. Links (URLs) to websites referenced in this document were accurate at the time of publication. This theme study is dedicated to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans and to our friends, allies, and families of choice past, present, and future. Contents 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 Acknowledgements About the Contributors Introduction Prologue: Why LGBTQ Historic Sites Matter Mark Meinke Introduction to the LGBTQ Heritage Initiative Theme Study Megan E. Springate Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) History in the United States Leisa Meyer and Helis Sikk Preserving LGBTQ History The History of Queer History: One Hundred Years of the Search for Shared Heritage Gerard Koskovich The Preservation of LGBTQ Heritage Gail Dubrow LGBTQ Archeological Context Megan E. Springate Inclusive Stories A Note about Intersectionality Megan E. Springate Making Bisexuals Visible Loraine Hutchins vi xii 01-1 02-1 03-1 04-1 05-1 06-1 07-1 08-1 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Sexual and Gender Diversity in Native America and the Pacific Islands Will Roscoe Transgender History in the US and the Places that Matter Susan Stryker Breathing Fire: Remembering Asian Pacific American Activism in Queer History Amy Sueyoshi Latina/o Gender and Sexuality Deena J. González and Ellie D. Hernandez“Where We Could Be Ourselves”: African American LGBTQ Historic Places and Why They Matter Jeffrey Harris Themes LGBTQ Spaces and Places Jen Jack Gieseking Making Community: The Places and Spaces of LGBTQ Collective Identity Formation Christina B. Hanhardt LGBTQ Business and Commerce David K. Johnson Sex, Love, and Relationships Tracy Baim Struggles and Triumphs in LGBTQ Civil Rights Megan E. Springate Historical Landmarks and Landscapes of LGBTQ Law Marc Stein LGBTQ Military Service Steve Estes Struggles in Body and Spirit: Religion and LGBTQ People in US History Drew Bourn 09-1 10-1 11-1 12-1 13-1 14-1 15-1 16-1 17-1 18-1 19-1 20-1 21-1 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 LGBTQ and Health Katie Batza LGBTQ Art and Artists Tara Burk LGBTQ Sport and Leisure Katherine Schweighofer Places San Francisco: Placing LGBTQ Histories in the City by the Bay Donna J. Graves and Shayne E. Watson Preservation of LGBTQ Historic & Cultural Sites – ANew York City Perspective Jay Shockley Locating Miami’s Queer History Julio Capó, Jr. Queerest Little City in the World: LGBTQ Reno John Jeffrey Auer IV Chicago: Queer Histories at the Crossroads of America Jessica Herczeg-Konecny Legacy Nominating LGBTQ Places to the National Register of Historic Places and as National Historic Landmarks: An Introduction Megan E. Springate and Caridad de la Vega Interpreting LGBTQ Historic Sites Susan Ferentinos Teac

FAQs

What is the purpose of LGBTQ America in the National Park context?

It provides a theme study explaining why LGBTQ historic sites matter and how the LGBTQ Heritage Initiative supports preservation and education through collected essays.

Which major historical themes are covered in the study?

The book covers LGBTQ spaces and places, community formation, civil rights, LGBTQ law and landmarks, military service, religion and history, health, art, and sport and leisure.

How does the study address specific locations and the legacy of LGBTQ historic sites?

It includes place-based chapters (such as San Francisco, New York City perspectives, Miami, Reno, and Chicago) and a legacy section on nominating sites, interpreting historic places, and teaching LGBTQ history and heritage.

Oct 6, 2026

Upload by jay