Behind the green door: romantic suffering and Australian lesbian identity in the mid-twentieth century

Paper

Sulway, Nike. 2012. "Behind the green door: romantic suffering and Australian lesbian identity in the mid-twentieth century." Willett, Graham (ed.) 11th Australian Homosexual Histories Conference (ALGA 2012). Brisbane, Australia 08 - 09 Jun 2012
Paper/Presentation Title

Behind the green door: romantic suffering and Australian lesbian identity in the mid-twentieth century

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorSulway, Nike
EditorsWillett, Graham
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the 11th Australian Homosexual Histories Conference (ALGA 2012)
Number of Pages20
Year2012
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://alga.org.au/2012/1595
Conference/Event11th Australian Homosexual Histories Conference (ALGA 2012)
Event Details
11th Australian Homosexual Histories Conference (ALGA 2012)
Event Date
08 to end of 09 Jun 2012
Event Location
Brisbane, Australia
Abstract

In Australia during the 1950s, lesbians often experienced suffering. In some ways, their identities produced, and were produced by, these experiences. Living on the fringes of society, they struggled to make sense of who they were in a society for whom they were morally and personally repugnant. The word 'lesbian' was a dangerous slur. Though no longer unspeakable, lesbian identity was routinely described as either unnatural or abnormal.

Keywordssocial attitudes; homosexuality; lesbian; discrimination; in the closet
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020440599. Gender studies not elsewhere classified
520599. Social and personality psychology not elsewhere classified
441005. Social theory
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Byline AffiliationsQueensland University of Technology
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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