Lesbian Newsletters, Pulps, and Manuals: A Primary Source Analysis

Abstract

Lesbian Newsletters, Pulps, and Manuals: A Primary Source Analysis is a research paper about lesbian publications in the mid 1900s. The paper examines two lesbian newsletters: The Ladder and Vice Versa, which were published in the 1940s and 50s; and two lesbian pulp novels: We Walk Alone by Ann Aldrich and The Price of Salt by Claire Morgan, which were both originally published in the 1950s. By examining all of these texts, the paper declares that lesbian authors created an image of humor, bravery, and care for the local community through the work they published. The newsletters were widely distributed thanks to discreet mailing options, and the lesbian pulp novels were sold in nearly every drug store and shop where someone could walk up to the counter and bravely purchase a novel with a naked woman on the front. Due to the popularity of these texts, the image of themselves that the lesbian authors wished to present did succeed in influencing many people that lesbians are worthy of love and protection, and are strong activists and allies for issues that affect queer identities. This research paper set out to change the way lesbian history was viewed by UMD peers, for the better.