Queer Ancestor Spotlight: Flawless Sabrina
Mother Flawless Sabrina was a New York City-based American LGBT activist and drag queen. She was one of the first widely known drag queens in the United States, and was considered a pioneer for the transgender and drag communities.
Queer Ancestor Spotlight: El Baile De Los Cuarenta y Uno
El baile de los cuarenta y uno, or ‘The Dance of the Forty-One’, refers to a social scandal in early 20th century Mexico. As with many aspects of queer society in this era this event revolves around a police raid of a private home during a dance at which 19 men were dressed in drag. The Mexican government attempted to suppress discussion of this event since it involved elite members of society but it became heavily satirized in the Mexican press and media. Some, such as writer Carlos Monsiváis, refer to this event as the invention of homosexuality in Mexico.
Queer Ancestor Spotlight: José Sarria
José Sarria (December 19, 1922 - August 19, 2013) holds the distinction of being the first openly gay candidate for public office in the United States. He ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1961. He almost won by default as there were originally not enough candidates to fill all open seats. When voting was done he had amassed 6,000 votes and came in ninth place. While not enough to secure a seat it was a shocking moment in the American political scene and showed the viability of a gay voting bloc.
Queer Ancestor Spotlight: William Dorsey Swann
The purpose of these spotlights is not to provide an exhaustive biography of any one figure, but to introduce you to a Queer Ancestor you may not have heard of and give you some highlights about their life. Also, to the best that I can, I’ll provide links to resources (free and for purchase) if you want to learn more about them.
For the inaugural Queer Ancestor Spotlight I want to focus on someone in my own “backyard”: William Dorsey Swann, and early American queer liberation activist and the first self-proclaimed “drag queen.”