The stereotype of the gay hairdresser isn’t merely a cliché; it reflects a profession that not only attracts some men but also serves as a pragmatic choice for survival. For many homosexuals, the risk of being discovered meant potential job loss or professional ostracism—a reality […]
The inaugural gay pride marches, held in 1970 on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, marked a pivotal moment in LGBTQ history. Why did those early marches, now known as Pride Parades, happen in these […]
In response to a reader’s inquiry, this blog post delves into the nuanced task of documenting transgender family members in genealogy. It emphasizes the need for sensitivity and respect while guiding appropriate terminology and their inclusion in family narratives.
In genealogy, the common practice of documenting women with […]
The history of LGBTQ folk in the U.S. military is intricate and spans various eras. Here, we will explore key historical events and share the stories of two significant service members. For genealogists, understanding where to find military records is crucial.
In previous discussions about locating LGBTQ individuals in newspapers, we explored the possibility that an ancestor might have been arrested in a police raid on a gay club or charged with offenses related to their sexual orientation. Some men were arrested for having sex in public […]
In August I was fortunate to land a job with My China Roots. They needed a San Francisco Bay Area local willing to scan in Chinese genealogy books that would then be posted on their website. My China Roots, founded by Huihan Lie in 2012, aims to […]
Following death, individuals in committed same-sex relationships lacked legal authority over how their lover remains were handled. Due to the absence of legal marriage, their partners had no rights or influence, often resulting in the separation of lovers by surviving family members. There are 100s of examples of these sad […]
Obituaries, a treasure trove for genealogists, can weave intricate family tales and unveil the hidden threads in one’s family tree. I love a good obituary that makes an effort to detail all living relatives and all pre-deceased relatives. Sometimes there is an unexpected answer in these details, […]
In a milestone event, I had the honor of delivering my LGBTQ Genealogy presentation at Ancestry’s San Francisco office. This opportunity arose following a presentation at the Sutro Library on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots at the invitation […]
