About the book
Uncovers the untold story of LGBT activists in the American South as they navigated faith and politics
For more than forty years, historians have researched the formation of gay communities and activism in the United States. Yet, the vast majority of scholarship on gay activism in the United States focuses on liberal urban areas like San Francisco, New York City, and Chicago, as opposed to conservative regions.
In The Dallas Way, M. Rhys Dotson examines the development and impact of Dallas’s queer community throughout the twentieth century. The book explores the unique challenges and values that impacted queer residents’ experiences in conservative regions, from the interplay of traditional family structures, to religious values, and skepticism of rapid social change. Responding to these circumstances, Dotson highlights how early gay activists adopted a nuanced form of activism that both challenged and aligned with their city’s conservative values, forging a distinctive path to equality through their own “Dallas Way.”
Moreover, the book illustrates how activists utilized strategies that complemented existing social and political structures in Dallas to further their advocacy for collective equality. From the formation of the state’s first homophile organization, the Circle of Friends, in 1966, to the establishments of a gay-affirming church and the Dallas Gay Political Caucus in the 1970s, the book showcases the way Dallas’ queer activism used religious communities and political activism to foster community and circumvent law enforcement raids. Offering a fresh perspective on the history of LGBT activism in the United States, The Dallas Way displays the unique strategies Southern gay activists leveraged to effect meaningful change and equality in Dallas.
Editions of The Dallas Way
- AltFormat
- ISBN 9781479839414
Read an Excerpt
Uncovers the untold story of LGBT activists in the American South as they navigated faith and politics
For more than forty years, historians have researched the formation of gay communities and activism in the United States. Yet, the vast majority of scholarship on gay activism in the United States focuses on liberal urban areas like San Francisco, New York City, and Chicago, as opposed to conservative regions.
In The Dallas Way, M. Rhys Dotson examines the development and impact of Dallas’s queer community throughout the twentieth century. The book explores the unique challenges and values that impacted queer residents’ experiences in conservative regions, from the interplay of traditional family structures, to religious values, and skepticism of rapid social change. Responding to these circumstances, Dotson highlights how early gay activists adopted a nuanced form of activism that both challenged and aligned with their city’s conservative values, forging a distinctive path to equality through their own “Dallas Way.”
Moreover, the book illustrates how activists utilized strategies that complemented existing social and political structures in Dallas to further their advocacy for collective equality. From the formation of the state’s first homophile organization, the Circle of Friends, in 1966, to the establishments of a gay-affirming church and the Dallas Gay Political Caucus in the 1970s, the book showcases the way Dallas’ queer activism used religious communities and political activism to foster community and circumvent law enforcement raids. Offering a fresh perspective on the history of LGBT activism in the United States, The Dallas Way displays the unique strategies Southern gay activists leveraged to effect meaningful change and equality in Dallas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Dallas Way about?
Uncovers the untold story of LGBT activists in the American South as they navigated faith and politics
For more than forty years, historians have researched the formation of gay communities and activism in the United States. Yet, the vast majority of scholarship on gay activism in the United States focuses on liberal urban areas like San Francisco, New York City, and Chicago, as opposed to conservative regions.
In The Dallas Way, M. Rhys Dotson examines the development and impact of Dallas’s queer community throughout the twentieth century. The book explores the unique challenges and values that impacted queer residents’ experiences in conservative regions, from the interplay of traditional family structures, to religious values, and skepticism of rapid social change. Responding to these circumstances, Dotson highlights how early gay activists adopted a nuanced form of activism that both challenged and aligned with their city’s conservative values, forging a distinctive path to equality through their own “Dallas Way.”
Moreover, the book illustrates how activists utilized strategies that complemented existing social and political structures in Dallas to further their advocacy for collective equality. From the formation of the state’s first homophile organization, the Circle of Friends, in 1966, to the establishments of a gay-affirming church and the Dallas Gay Political Caucus in the 1970s, the book showcases the way Dallas’ queer activism used religious communities and political activism to foster community and circumvent law enforcement raids. Offering a fresh perspective on the history of LGBT activism in the United States, The Dallas Way displays the unique strategies Southern gay activists leveraged to effect meaningful change and equality in Dallas.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Dallas Way?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of The Dallas Way?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781479839414
How long is The Dallas Way and how many pages does it have?
The Dallas Way has 208 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Dallas Way?
M. Rhys Dotson
Who is the Publisher of the book The Dallas Way?
NYU Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Dallas Way is available as altformat(ISBN 9781479839414)
Where can I buy The Dallas Way online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Dallas Way from below
Where can I buy The Dallas Way?