Brown University’s John Hay Library Celebrates Queer Literature

News Summary

Brown University’s John Hay Library highlights its extensive collection of queer pulp fiction, showcasing over 4,700 volumes that span from 1933 to 1997. Curator Heather Cole emphasizes the importance of preserving LGBTQ literature that reflects marginalized identities. The collection provides insight into cultural trends and societal attitudes towards LGBTQ individuals, celebrating diverse voices and histories. The library’s efforts are complemented by other organizations promoting queer culture in Rhode Island, reinforcing the commitment to diversity within the literary landscape.

Providence, Rhode Island – Brown University’s John Hay Library is celebrating queer literature with its extensive collection of queer pulp fiction, which spans from 1933 to 1997, with the majority published between 1953 and 1997. This significant collection consists of over 4,700 volumes of gay and lesbian pulp fiction, gifted by various supporters, including Richard Katzoff’s Friends in 1991 and writer John Preston.

Historically, lesbian pulp novels were more commercially successful than their gay counterparts before the Stonewall uprising, with a notable focus on appealing to heterosexual male readers. An important work from this period is Patricia Highsmith’s “The Price of Salt,” published in 1952 under the pen name Claire Morgan. This novel is recognized for its groundbreaking portrayal of a same-sex love story that avoids the genre’s typical tragic endings.

Following the Stonewall riots in 1969, queer pulp fiction experienced a surge in popularity and distribution, marking a pivotal moment in LGBTQ publishing. Heather Cole, curator of literary and popular culture collections at the John Hay Library, emphasizes the importance of collecting literature that reflects marginalized identities. Contemporary authors, such as Anna Dorn, continue to draw inspiration from pulp fiction, as evidenced by her work “Perfume and Pain,” which redefines connections to the genre.

The study of queer pulp fiction provides insight into cultural trends and societal attitudes towards LGBTQ identities throughout history. In addition to the John Hay Library’s efforts, the Rhode Island LGBTQ+ Community Archives is dedicated to preserving queer history materials, focusing on uncovering hidden identities that were often concealed due to safety concerns for LGBTQ individuals.

To further celebrate lesbian culture, Mev Miller founded a lesbian history archive in 2022, which preserves over 5,000 items that document lesbian culture in New England from 1950 to 2000. In Providence, Binch Press and Queer.Archive.Work are collaborating to highlight LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices, serving as a hub for creative community engagement, artistic expression, and resource sharing.

The John Hay Library’s collection aligns with broader initiatives to include and celebrate queer voices in both academia and literature. There is a growing focus on gathering works from BIPOC lesbian, trans, nonbinary, and two-spirit individuals, reflecting a commitment to diversity within the literary landscape.

Among the early authors of lesbian pulp fiction was Marijane Meaker, whose book “Spring Fire” sold approximately 1.5 million copies and addressed lesbian themes despite facing censorship challenges. The genre was often subject to restrictions that mandated tragic conclusions for lesbian protagonists to avoid backlash and distribution difficulties. Notable figures like Ann Bannon created characters who navigated their lives in the 50s and 60s, offering representations that transcended mere tragedy.

Despite the limitations imposed by societal norms, many lesbian readers resonated with the themes presented in pulp fiction, finding possibilities and narratives that reflected their own experiences. As scholarly attention grows toward these materials, the depth of LGBTQ literature’s historical significance and ongoing evolution becomes increasingly evident.

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Additional Resources

• RIMonthly: Brown University’s Queer Pulp Novel Collection
• Vogue: Queer YA Fiction Revolution
• The Conversation: Spring Fire and its Impact
• Literary Hub: 2020 Lambda Literary Awards Finalists
• The New Yorker: The Friendship of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert Barlow