City Of Sisterly And Brotherly Loves: Lesbian And Gay Philadelphia, 1945-1972 - Paperback

City of Sisterly and Brotherly Loves: Lesbian and Gay Philadelphia, 1945-1972

Marc Stein's City of Sisterly and Brotherly Loves is refreshing for at least two reasons: it centers on a city that is not generally associated with a vibrant gay and lesbian culture, and it shows that a community was forming long before the Stonewall rebellion. In this lively and well received book, Marc Stein brings to life the neighborhood bars and clubs where people gathered and the political issues that rallied the community. He reminds us that Philadelphians were leaders in the national gay and lesbian movement and, in doing so, suggests that New York and San Francisco have for too long obscured the contributions of other cities to gay culture.

Pre-Stonewall LGBTQ+ History

This comprehensive historical study documents the formation and development of Philadelphia's lesbian and gay community during the critical years of 1945-1972. Stein's research reveals how Philadelphia served as a significant hub for LGBTQ+ activism and community building decades before the widely recognized Stonewall rebellion of 1969. The book challenges the common narrative that places New York and San Francisco at the center of gay history, demonstrating that Philadelphia's contributions were substantial and influential to the broader national movement.

Community Spaces and Political Activism

The book examines the neighborhood bars, clubs, and gathering spaces that became essential to community formation. These venues provided safe spaces for connection, organizing, and identity expression during an era of widespread discrimination and legal persecution. Stein documents the political issues that mobilized Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community, showing how local activists contributed to the national gay rights movement through grassroots organizing, advocacy, and resistance.

Academic Research and Urban History

Published by Temple University Press, this scholarly work combines rigorous historical research with accessible narrative. The book serves as an essential resource for students and scholars of LGBTQ+ history, urban studies, American social movements, and mid-20th century cultural history. Stein's methodology and findings have been well-received by academic and general audiences alike, making this an important contribution to queer studies and Philadelphia history.

About This Edition

This paperback edition makes Stein's groundbreaking research accessible to a wider audience. The book fills a critical gap in LGBTQ+ historiography by documenting regional community development outside the traditionally studied coastal metropolitan areas. It provides context for understanding how lesbian and gay communities formed, organized, and advocated for their rights during the post-World War II period through the early 1970s.