Gay New York: Gender, Urban Culture, and the Making of the Gay Male World 1890-1940

Describe Chauncey’s main thesis in Gay New York. In what ways does it address the history of gay subculture in the US? Using textual evidence, compare and contrast his thesis to that of another study on the same subject.

Chauncey argues that understandings of gay identity changed between the early and late 20th century, specifically from identities based partly on gender to identities based entirely on sexual orientation. Examine the veracity of this argument, using textual evidence and other sources.

Throughout the book, Chauncey relies on sources such as diaries, letters, and newspaper articles. Explore three such sources, like (but not limited to) Parker Tyler’s letter, the quotes from Charles Tomlinson Griffes, Caroline Ware’s sociological study of Greenwich Village, or Adam Clayton Powell’s sermon against gay sexuality in Harlem. What do these sources add to Chauncey’s arguments? Use textual evidence to examine this topic.