Queer and Lesbian Culture in the 1920’s
In America, gay culture flourished in the 20’s (during the prohibition) with the advent of drag balls and gay communities in NYC.
Harlem and Greenwich
Harlem had mostly black entertainers in their nightlife scene, which had an aspect of racism to it due to the fact that whites would go there to see that which was depraved or “naughty”
However, many famous women who were perceived to be straight would go to Harlem and dress more masculine, interacting with their bisexuality as they couldn’t anywhere else.
However, in the 30’s (great depression) queer life faded back into obscurity as cultural norms became more important again.
In London, drag balls flourished in both these decades, however.
This was a secretive practice, often broken up by the police
People (usually gay men) were often arrested during this time for being gay
Homosexuality was not legalized officially until 1967 in the UK
Queer folks were often charged with “corrupting public morals”
Morality and conformity was very important during this period
Lesbians have always been more “quiet about their aberrations” according to a source on British Homosexuality
Lesbianism has rarely been prosecuted in the same way as male homosexuality, which is partly because female queer folks were generally more quiet and unobtrusive about their lifestyles.
There were never any laws specifically prohibiting lesbianism bc men assumed it was uncommon, or that mentioning it would make women think about the prospect more
Has also been studied far less than male homosexuality
Because queer literature was censored while Woolf was writing, any lesbian or queer aspects to her novels had to be carefully encoded rather than direct
Romantic Friendship: when two people of the same gender would have a very close friendship that often involved cuddling or physical closeness (sharing a bed, etc.) but did not have a sexual aspect
This was actually common and acceptable before the 1920’s
For example, “respectable” women would write love letters to each other, and this was not seen as “homosexual” which had a negative connotation
Scholars believe lesbianism became more common in the 20’s due to a combination of the change of public morality after the war, and the effect of feminism allowing women to obtain work outside the home and also perceiving themselves as sexual beings for the first time in modern history.
Essentially Woolf was writing during a pocket of time when homosexuality was more accepted than it was for a long time before or after.
Lyrics to a song referencing lesbianism:
“They say I do it, Ain’t nobody caught me, Sure gotta prove it on me. Went out last night with a crowd of my friends. It must have been women ‘cause I don’t like no men. It’s true I wear a collar and a tie, like to watch while the women pass by. They say I do it, ain’t nobody caught me, you sure gotta prove it on me. Wear my clothes just like a fan. Talk to the girls just like any old man. ‘Cause they say I do it, ain’t nobody caught me, sure gotta prove it on me.”
Very indicative of the secretive nature of lesbian culture at this time.
Freudian psychology may have encouraged the acting out of “repressed impulses”