Rethinking Trans History and Gay History in Early Twentieth-Century New York

Abstract

AbstractThis article examines two cases that have previously been prominent in the gay and lesbian histories of early twentieth century New York, those of Loop-the-loop and Murray Hall. Utilizing Clare Sear’s critical approach of trans-ing analysis to reframe these cases and to reexamine them anew, this essay departs from existing scholarship while yet acknowledging the complex interaction between gender and sexuality in the early twentieth century. Reframing these two cases within transgender history, I examined their transgression of gender boundaries to analyze how these two individuals’ non-normative gender practices were central to how others understood and framed them, as well as to how they presented themselves. When reexamined, Hall’s case suggests a complex reaction to non-normative gender in relation to the racialized performance of gender as well as a connection between non-normative gender and criminality. Loop-the-loop’s case points to a connection between sexology, the American eugenics movement, and scientific racism, while also shows the resistance by those who transgressed gender boundaries. The examination of these two cases aims to challenge existing explanations for individuals who transgress gender boundaries and to expand historians’ understanding of transgender history.