Archives tell an important story. The people in them—and the people left out—say a lot about our politics, culture, and consciousness. In the 20th century, it wasn’t uncommon for archivists to choose which artifacts made it into the official record based on what they thought defined our history. This means that a lot of people—especially queer people—were left out of the archives. Their lives were erased.

But over the last few decades, historians are uncovering those queer lives. In this episode of MinneCulture, KFAI’s Kira Schukar takes us into the Minnesota Historical Society archives to share a story about love, letters, and resilience. Spanning almost 100 years, this narrative follows a first lady, a philanthropist, and the queer activists who wanted their story to be told.

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund

Photo:
Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Simpson Whipple:
https://www.masshist.org/collection-guides/view/fap033

Music Credits:
Inamorata by Blue Dot Sessions
Game Hens by Blue Dot Sessions
McCarthy by Blue Dot Sessions
Palms Down by Blue Dot Sessions

If You Knew All I Could Tell You

Episode 1: Welcome to Inqueeries! In our first episode, we chat with fellow queer librarian (and artist) Chris Castillo about the queer librarian life, where this podcast may be going, and a bit about ourselves so you can get to know your hosts.

Meet the InQueeries team and learn more about the topics discussed by visiting: https://guides.mysapl.org/inqueeries

InQueeries: We're Everywhere! Queering Librarianship

In the 1970s, lesbian and feminist organizations popped up in cities across the nation. Minneapolis and Saint Paul were no exception. Here in the Twin Cities, the Amazon Feminist Book Store, Lesbian Resource Center, and Lesbian Feminist Organizing Committee all provided space and community for newly out lesbians and queer women.

At the same time, a small network of transgender women started their own type of organizing, one that relied more on mutual support than a physical meeting place.

But these groups weren’t mutually exclusive. In the late 1970s, a trans woman named Sissy Potter tried to join a lesbian feminist group called A Woman’s Coffee House. She’s probably not the only one, either. On this episode of MinneCulture from producer Kira Schukar, Sissy’s letter sparks a conversation about feminism, gender, and transfeminism in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Content warning: This podcast contains a transphobic slur and comments.

Photo courtesy of Sissy Poettler.

MinneCulture is hosted by John Gebretatose and edited by Julie Censullo. 

Sources:

“2023 Anti-Trans Legislation.” Trans Legislation Tracker, https://translegislation.com/bills/2023. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.

2023 State Equality Index: A Review of State Legislation Affecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community and a Look Ahead in 2024. Human Rights Campaign Foundation, 2024, https://reports.hrc.org/2023-state-equality-index?_ga=2.7211186.1288380725.1706647812-211073266.1705959553.

Enke, Finn. “Collective Memory and the Transfeminist 1970s: Toward a Less Plausible History.” TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly, vol. 5, no. 1, Feb. 2018, pp. 9–29.
---. Finding the Movement: Sexuality, Contested Space, and Feminist Activism. Duke University Press, 2007.
---. “Smuggling Sex through the Gates: Race, Sexuality, and the Politics of Space in Second Wave Feminism.” American Quarterly, vol. 55, no. 4, Dec. 2003, pp. 635–67.

Franklin, Michael David, et al., editors. Queer Twin Cities. University of Minnesota Press, 2010.

Grossman, Mary Ann. “Pioneering True Colors Feminist Bookstore Expected to Close in February.” Twin Cities Pioneer Press, 27 Dec. 2011, https://www.twincities.com/2011/12/27/pioneering-true-colors-feminist-bookstore-expected-to-close-in-february/.

McNaron, Toni. “About Toni.” Toni McNaron, https://tonimcnaron.com/about/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.

Van Cleve, Stewart. Land of 10,000 Loves: A History of Queer Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, 2012.

Whitaker, Jan. “‘Way Out’ Coffeehouses.” Restaurant-Ing Through History, 28 Sept. 2009, https://restaurant-ingthroughhistory.com/2009/09/28/way-out-coffeehouses/.

'Sissy' as in Sister

MinneCulture is KFAI’s award-winning audio storytelling program. We produce audio documentaries exploring Minnesota’s art, culture, and history — stories about musical sensations, small town heroes, cultural icons, local lore, and everything in between.

The San Antonio Public Library changes lives through information, imagination, and ideas… and podcasts!  Join the San Antonio Public Library Tuned In crew as they share and reveal some of the inner workings of the library, highlight the many features and programs on offer, and discuss topics which are important in the library world… like eReaders, public services, books, tacos, and more.
We want your feedback. Feel free to contact us at the email address below. We're always interested in what you have to say, or in any ideas you may have for the podcast. Thank you.

New tracks tagged #LGBTQ History