Hidden From History : Reclaiming the Gay and Lesbian Past, edited by Martin Bauml Duberman (TPB, 1989, 579 pages, $3.50)
Historical research, especially research into gay and lesbian history, has come a long way. The introduction to Hidden states, "Even the prestigious Kinsey Institute for Sex Research lost most of its funding in 1954 when conservatives denounced its research findings, particularly regarding the high incidence of homosexual behavior in the US, as a threat to the moral fiber of the country."
This book answers questions I never even thought to ask. Does the definition of homosexuality vary across times and cultures? What about the definition of lesbianism? How did society influence homosexuals, and how did homosexuals influence society? Some people were known homosexuals, while others never even cracked the closet door. What kinds of subculture did each of them take part in, if any? The costs for an individual are obvious, but were there costs for society as well?
The book starts with the ancient world and pre-industrial societies, then moves on to the 19th and 20th Centuries. Some authors discuss famous people, and some authors discuss the never famous. At the time this book was written, more historical research had been done regarding gays than lesbians. Perhaps it is different now. At any rate, look for this book on the new non-fiction table. (L-glbs)
