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When Brooklyn Was Queer
The groundbreaking, never-before-told story of Brooklyn’s vibrant and forgotten queer history, from the mid-1850s up to the present day.
When Brooklyn Was Queer is a groundbreaking exploration of the LGBT history of Brooklyn, from the early days of Walt Whitman in the 1850s up through the women who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War II, and beyond. No other book, movie, or exhibition has ever told this sweeping story. Not only has Brooklyn always lived in the shadow of queer Manhattan neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Harlem, but there has also been a systematic erasure of its queer history—a great forgetting.
Ryan is here to unearth that history for the first time, and show how the formation of Brooklyn is inextricably linked to the stories of the incredible people who created the Brooklyn we know today. Folks like Ella Wesner and Florence Hines, the most famous drag kings of the late-1800s; E. Trondle, a transgender man whose arrest in Brooklyn captured headlines for weeks in 1913; Hamilton Easter Field, whose art commune in Brooklyn Heights nurtured Hart Crane and John Dos Passos; Mabel Hampton, a black lesbian who worked as a dancer at Coney Island in the 1920s; Gustave Beekman, the Brooklyn brothel owner at the center of a WWII gay Nazi spy scandal; and Josiah Marvel, a curator at the Brooklyn Museum who helped create a first-of-its-kind treatment program for gay men arrested for public sex in the 1950s. Through their stories, WBWQ brings Brooklyn’s queer past to life.
When Brooklyn Was Queer is a groundbreaking exploration of the LGBT history of Brooklyn, from the early days of Walt Whitman in the 1850s up through the women who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War II, and beyond. No other book, movie, or exhibition has ever told this sweeping story. Not only has Brooklyn always lived in the shadow of queer Manhattan neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Harlem, but there has also been a systematic erasure of its queer history—a great forgetting.
Ryan is here to unearth that history for the first time, and show how the formation of Brooklyn is inextricably linked to the stories of the incredible people who created the Brooklyn we know today. Folks like Ella Wesner and Florence Hines, the most famous drag kings of the late-1800s; E. Trondle, a transgender man whose arrest in Brooklyn captured headlines for weeks in 1913; Hamilton Easter Field, whose art commune in Brooklyn Heights nurtured Hart Crane and John Dos Passos; Mabel Hampton, a black lesbian who worked as a dancer at Coney Island in the 1920s; Gustave Beekman, the Brooklyn brothel owner at the center of a WWII gay Nazi spy scandal; and Josiah Marvel, a curator at the Brooklyn Museum who helped create a first-of-its-kind treatment program for gay men arrested for public sex in the 1950s. Through their stories, WBWQ brings Brooklyn’s queer past to life.
308 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2019
410 people are currently reading
8692 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Ryan
12 books144 followersHugh Ryan is a writer and curator. His new book, THE WOMEN'S HOUSE OF DETENTION, is a queer history of the prison that was once in Greenwich Village. His first book, WHEN BROOKLYN WAS QUEER, won a 2020 New York City Book Award, was a New York Times Editors' Choice in 2019, and was a finalist for the Randy Shilts and Lambda Literary Awards. He was honored with the 2020 Allan Berube Prize from the American Historical Association, and residencies or fellowships from Yaddo, The Watermill Center, the NYPL, and the New York Foundation for the Arts. In 2019-2021, he worked on the Hidden Voices: LGBTQ+ Stories in U.S. History curricular materials for the NYC Department of Education.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
September 4, 2024
I didn't just enjoy this book, but I'll confess I was enraptured? No, that's too strong a word. Truth be told I never in my life paid attention to "Queer folk." If I knew someone who was gay before I hit the age of 30, then I didn't know. I never paid attention to that. It's not that I ignored it, I just never realized. Don't get me wrong, because I knew people were gay, I had just never consciously come across it. But, I moved to Montana in my early to mid 30's, and I noticed "finally" that I not only worked with, but had become best friends with men and women who were gay. I've always prided myself in being open to everyone. Yet, how could I have gone all those thirty some odd years? I still don't get it! Since then, I've heard some heartbreaking tales from people I've known and loved. Not only have they had the same hormonal shit that every single person in the world has to deal with, but they also have to deal with judgemental society. Parents, classmates, so called friends, and worse...strangers. I've known 3 people who've been beaten up, and 1 who had her house burnt down. All from strangers. One of my best friends was from a military family. Man...his father. Ach! I'm just one of those people who still doesn't get other people who judge on what they think is right or wrong. Who gives a 🐀rats ass? Being a fairly decent person works for me. When I dislike someone it's because they're a jackass.
I'm happy to have read this book, and would recommend it to anyone.
I'm happy to have read this book, and would recommend it to anyone.
January 24, 2019
When Brooklyn Was Queer is a fascinating read in which the author delves deep into the history of same-sex relationships and gender identity. Whilst this is in itself is not a unique undertaking, author Hugh Ryan goes a step further, tying threads of the past to a central location—Brooklyn, New York. From its identity as a waterfront harbor, filled with sailors and businessmen, through its transformation into a city full of queer spaces, Ryan shares stories of the individuals who contributed to the emergence of “queer Brooklyn”. He also explores how that rise was experienced by white males, females and people of color—distinctions between which are followed throughout. He finally presents in glaring detail the sobering events that worked like falling dominos to destroy the fragile space.
Prior to this read, I considered myself fairly well versed on the gay movement. I knew about the Stonewall Riots and have friends who were there in the thick of things, making chaos as they also made a profound statement of solidarity and strength. I had never considered what being gay meant before those riots, however, aside from assuming that life was closeted and shrouded in secrecy. It was so much more complex than I had ever imagined.
The book opens with what I felt were the most moving and poignant pages—a brief glimpse into the shared lives of Gypsy Rose Lee and Carson McCullers. It’s a beautiful prologue that sets the stage for the rich and varied history that follows—and Ryan dives right in, explaining his use of the term “queer”:
“...in my research I use the catchall queer...to refer to people whose sexuality or gender identity isn’t conventional for their time, which helps me avoid projecting specific modern identities (such as gay or transgender) on folks for whom those ideas wouldn’t necessarily have made a lot of sense.”
From there, the book proceeds to lay down the first blocks in the foundation of queer life in Brooklyn—the publication in that city of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. The author simultaneously explicates Whitman’s verse and uses it as a lens through which to delve into Whitman’s sexuality. Whitman’s time as a resident of Brooklyn is the first marker of queer life in that city.
The Victorian-era discussion that begins with Whitman is explored through fact-based conjecture that addresses the societal constructs of relationships during that period. Ryan shares letters, diaries and publications to support the assertion that many of the intimate friendships may have been same-sex attractions, either considered or embraced, that would today be referred to as “gay”—and his research is as deep as it is broad. More hard evidence in the form of newspaper articles and editorials, personal accounts and publications underpin the rest of the book, as queer Brooklyn is birthed, then “erased”, from 1884-1969. Throughout, there is frank discussion of both gender identity and sexuality, public acceptance and prejudice
There’s so much to be learned, and Ryan teaches by sharing with readers facts and short narratives that bring to life the drag kings and queens, the activists and those simply living their truths as queer men and women. From Brooklyn Heights to Coney Island, the streets are filled with stories that are sometimes funny, at other times full of heartbreak. Unrequited love, bawdy behavior, beautifully intimate relationships and the cruelty of human nature are all on display here, eliciting from the reader both laughter and tears.
This is a must read for anyone living the queer life or simply interested in the issues of the LGBTQ community. As queer Brooklyn is rising like a phoenix from the ashes, a clear understanding of its history allows for an appreciation of the joys, as well as the sacrifices, experienced there—small, sometimes seemingly insignificant events that shaped and forever changed what it means to be queer.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated for publication in March, 2019.
Prior to this read, I considered myself fairly well versed on the gay movement. I knew about the Stonewall Riots and have friends who were there in the thick of things, making chaos as they also made a profound statement of solidarity and strength. I had never considered what being gay meant before those riots, however, aside from assuming that life was closeted and shrouded in secrecy. It was so much more complex than I had ever imagined.
The book opens with what I felt were the most moving and poignant pages—a brief glimpse into the shared lives of Gypsy Rose Lee and Carson McCullers. It’s a beautiful prologue that sets the stage for the rich and varied history that follows—and Ryan dives right in, explaining his use of the term “queer”:
“...in my research I use the catchall queer...to refer to people whose sexuality or gender identity isn’t conventional for their time, which helps me avoid projecting specific modern identities (such as gay or transgender) on folks for whom those ideas wouldn’t necessarily have made a lot of sense.”
From there, the book proceeds to lay down the first blocks in the foundation of queer life in Brooklyn—the publication in that city of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. The author simultaneously explicates Whitman’s verse and uses it as a lens through which to delve into Whitman’s sexuality. Whitman’s time as a resident of Brooklyn is the first marker of queer life in that city.
The Victorian-era discussion that begins with Whitman is explored through fact-based conjecture that addresses the societal constructs of relationships during that period. Ryan shares letters, diaries and publications to support the assertion that many of the intimate friendships may have been same-sex attractions, either considered or embraced, that would today be referred to as “gay”—and his research is as deep as it is broad. More hard evidence in the form of newspaper articles and editorials, personal accounts and publications underpin the rest of the book, as queer Brooklyn is birthed, then “erased”, from 1884-1969. Throughout, there is frank discussion of both gender identity and sexuality, public acceptance and prejudice
There’s so much to be learned, and Ryan teaches by sharing with readers facts and short narratives that bring to life the drag kings and queens, the activists and those simply living their truths as queer men and women. From Brooklyn Heights to Coney Island, the streets are filled with stories that are sometimes funny, at other times full of heartbreak. Unrequited love, bawdy behavior, beautifully intimate relationships and the cruelty of human nature are all on display here, eliciting from the reader both laughter and tears.
This is a must read for anyone living the queer life or simply interested in the issues of the LGBTQ community. As queer Brooklyn is rising like a phoenix from the ashes, a clear understanding of its history allows for an appreciation of the joys, as well as the sacrifices, experienced there—small, sometimes seemingly insignificant events that shaped and forever changed what it means to be queer.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated for publication in March, 2019.
March 11, 2019
Queer history is difficult to navigate. Often hidden and without personal identifying terms, LGBTQIA+ individuals from the 1960s and prior have maneuvered as afterthoughts in broader narratives. Yet, as author Hugh Ryan proves, meticulous research can bring these pre-Stonewall stories back into view.
When Brooklyn Was Queer manages to fill a gap in historical research while maintaining an engrossing narrative. Ryan identifies the Brooklyn waterfront as the true beginning of the gay identity with Walt Whitman and the publication of Leaves of Grass. At the same time, Brooklyn was evolving as a port, becoming a center for not only sailors and factory workers, but sex workers, performance artists, and a host of other groups. With such a confined space comes the ability for queer individuals to begin exploring their identities.
And this is really where Ryan’s work excels. He has no problem discussing some of the major queer players, from Truman Capote to Carson McCullers. But when he shines a light on everyday individuals, this book launches into another tier. From lovers secretly meeting on the beach to queer individuals learning they’re not alone, each of their experiences is compiled with deep respect and care. There’s a long discussion about sex work that grows with the expansion of Brooklyn, and the focus on Loop-the-Loop, a trans sex worker, is a particular highlight.
Ryan is careful of exploring the spectrum of queer identities while noting limitations he discovered. The vast majority of experiences he relays come from cis white men, denoting the privileges that existed for gay men (that still continue). However, by uncovering the records that were available, Ryan has crafted the most wonderfully diverse LGBTQIA+ history that is currently available.
Perhaps most remarkably, Ryan’s work, while honing in on a very specific location in the United States, feels universal. These stories comprise the sometimes flamboyant, sometimes tragic, yet always unique history of queers in America.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
When Brooklyn Was Queer manages to fill a gap in historical research while maintaining an engrossing narrative. Ryan identifies the Brooklyn waterfront as the true beginning of the gay identity with Walt Whitman and the publication of Leaves of Grass. At the same time, Brooklyn was evolving as a port, becoming a center for not only sailors and factory workers, but sex workers, performance artists, and a host of other groups. With such a confined space comes the ability for queer individuals to begin exploring their identities.
And this is really where Ryan’s work excels. He has no problem discussing some of the major queer players, from Truman Capote to Carson McCullers. But when he shines a light on everyday individuals, this book launches into another tier. From lovers secretly meeting on the beach to queer individuals learning they’re not alone, each of their experiences is compiled with deep respect and care. There’s a long discussion about sex work that grows with the expansion of Brooklyn, and the focus on Loop-the-Loop, a trans sex worker, is a particular highlight.
Ryan is careful of exploring the spectrum of queer identities while noting limitations he discovered. The vast majority of experiences he relays come from cis white men, denoting the privileges that existed for gay men (that still continue). However, by uncovering the records that were available, Ryan has crafted the most wonderfully diverse LGBTQIA+ history that is currently available.
Perhaps most remarkably, Ryan’s work, while honing in on a very specific location in the United States, feels universal. These stories comprise the sometimes flamboyant, sometimes tragic, yet always unique history of queers in America.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
January 13, 2021
I RECEIVED AN ARC OF THIS BOOK FROM ST. MARTIN'S PRESS. THANK YOU.
One of my very favorite possessions is this hardcover copy I received after the Déluge of 2019 ruined my ARC. The author tells us from the start that I use the catchall queer...to refer to people whose sexuality or gender identity isn’t conventional for their time, which helps me avoid projecting specific modern identities (such as gay or transgender) on folks for whom those ideas wouldn’t necessarily have made a lot of sense.
That is all the explanation you need for how, and why, he wrote this history of being "other" in the US's biggest city. It's deeply researched, very well-written, and fascinating to read. Who knew Gypsy Rose Lee and Carson McCullers were close? Who had any idea that Coney Island was known as a queer neighborhood before it was known as a boardwalk and sideshow mecca?
It's enjoyable to learn about New York's most-populous borough with author Hugh Ryan.
One of my very favorite possessions is this hardcover copy I received after the Déluge of 2019 ruined my ARC. The author tells us from the start that I use the catchall queer...to refer to people whose sexuality or gender identity isn’t conventional for their time, which helps me avoid projecting specific modern identities (such as gay or transgender) on folks for whom those ideas wouldn’t necessarily have made a lot of sense.
That is all the explanation you need for how, and why, he wrote this history of being "other" in the US's biggest city. It's deeply researched, very well-written, and fascinating to read. Who knew Gypsy Rose Lee and Carson McCullers were close? Who had any idea that Coney Island was known as a queer neighborhood before it was known as a boardwalk and sideshow mecca?
It's enjoyable to learn about New York's most-populous borough with author Hugh Ryan.
July 11, 2022
A great history of the queer communities of Brooklyn from the mid 1800's to the 1960's.
I like how Hugh Ryan works with what he's given; as he states there is limited documented history of queer experience during the 1800's through to the early 1900's, particularly for queer people of colour, so his research is impressive.
The experiences documented and retold here are engaging, interesting, sincere, shocking and saddening.
It's interesting to see how homophobia came up with the increasing amount of knowledge about homosexuality. As Ryan points out, when people knew nothing, they feared nothing. The more they began to know and find out about "the other" or "the different", the more they feared and therefore hated.
A great LGBTQI resource. Highly recommended.
I like how Hugh Ryan works with what he's given; as he states there is limited documented history of queer experience during the 1800's through to the early 1900's, particularly for queer people of colour, so his research is impressive.
The experiences documented and retold here are engaging, interesting, sincere, shocking and saddening.
It's interesting to see how homophobia came up with the increasing amount of knowledge about homosexuality. As Ryan points out, when people knew nothing, they feared nothing. The more they began to know and find out about "the other" or "the different", the more they feared and therefore hated.
A great LGBTQI resource. Highly recommended.
April 8, 2019
"But nothing lasts forever, even silence." Hugh Ryan's spectacular book, When Brooklyn Was Queer, conjures the lipstick traces of queer history out of the cobblestone streets, wooden slats of Coney Island boardwalk, and the brothels, bars, and bohemias of the "second city of the Empire." Though today known for its large and vibrant queer community, Ryan skillfully restores Brooklyn's pre-Stonewall history - full as it is of poets, sex workers, carnies, and sailors. Unlike most 'queer' history books, which suffer from an excessive focus on white gay cis men, Ryan pays particular attention to race, to queer women, and to people we would now call trans. When Brooklyn Was Queer shows how the dramatic rise and fall of urban queer communities is intimately related to racism, housing policy, shifting sexual mores, and even waterfront industry. This book is also the perfect antidote to the myth of linear gay rights progress, revealing levels of general tolerance grew and dimmed through the first half of the 20th Century. As Ryan writes, "New queer history is being written; old queer history is being restored to its proper place."
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March 20, 2025
A delightful history of queer life in Brooklyn, NY.
I learned a lot, and imagined a lot of what life was like—and I didn't know that Gypsy Rose Lee was queer! And that her mom Rose was queer, too! The musical really straightwashed them hard.
I learned a lot, and imagined a lot of what life was like—and I didn't know that Gypsy Rose Lee was queer! And that her mom Rose was queer, too! The musical really straightwashed them hard.
December 27, 2021
4.5 — this book has a really strong thesis and direction, and is organized in a beautiful way that’s easy to follow. one of my favourite book niches is queer history examinations of a specific place, and this checks all my boxes. not only were gay historical figures examined, but working-class queer life, gender variance, and communities of POC. this is really clearly a passion project of Ryan’s built out of a love for brooklyn, history and queerness, and i could feel that before i even read the epilogue. if there was one thing i could critique, id enjoy more analysis of the past in addition to the retellings of it — although i know part of Ryan’s argument is that brooklyn’s queer history has been largely hidden, i love discussions of parallels between history and the present and would’ve appreciated more of them. regardless, really well done, thoughtfully researched, and painstakingly thorough book. would more than recommend, esp for ppl like me who love niche queer history, folks who live in brooklyn, and/or those who want to learn about stuff that’s been brushed over for a long time.
July 9, 2021
I always love learning more about queer history! When Brooklyn Was Queer traces the history of queer people in Brooklyn from the 1850s through 1969, pre-Stonewall. There were so many fascinating figures that Hugh Ryan profiled, from prominent writers and artists to people I had never heard of before. Through these stories Ryan shows how attitudes towards and understanding of queer people shifted over time.
There are parts of this book that felt a bit unfinished or like the author moved onto the next topic without fully wrapping things up. I do think that’s somewhat understandable since he does write about how it’s so difficult to find a lot of this history since much of it wasn’t officially recorded. I did find the beginning of the book to be a bit slow. But by the time I got to the end I just wanted it to keep going, to learn more about the queer history of Brooklyn past Stonewall and during more recent eras. Overall this was an extremely informative and interesting read, just give me all the LGBTQ+ history.
There are parts of this book that felt a bit unfinished or like the author moved onto the next topic without fully wrapping things up. I do think that’s somewhat understandable since he does write about how it’s so difficult to find a lot of this history since much of it wasn’t officially recorded. I did find the beginning of the book to be a bit slow. But by the time I got to the end I just wanted it to keep going, to learn more about the queer history of Brooklyn past Stonewall and during more recent eras. Overall this was an extremely informative and interesting read, just give me all the LGBTQ+ history.
January 26, 2020
A source of historical significance that gives life to much-forgotten stories of queer life and freedom, Hugh Ryan's "When Brooklyn was Queer" is an essential addition to the queer historical canon.
The book traces queerness in Brooklyn through 7 distinct historical periods. Starting with Walt Whitman in the mid-19th century, Ryan deftly traces the ways in which queer artists and poets, writers and thinkers formed bonds, built communities in neighborhoods from Brooklyn Heights to Dumbo. What the book does is significant: it rejects a view of Brooklyn that sees it as a sleepy borough across the river from Manhattan that only became the radical queer spot it is now recently once rents got too high in Manhattan. Instead, Ryan shows how queer people cruised Coney Island, setup gay brothels on Sand Street, and formed relationships with friends and lovers, staying in queer artist colonies in Fort Greene.
Unfortunately, because of the person-centered format the book takes, and the fact that the queer people in Brooklyn tended to be transient, the book too often wanders away from Brooklyn, following characters to Manhattan, New Jersey, and beyond. A more stringent approach to tracing lives as they stay in Brooklyn would have prevented the book from wasting space talking about redundant, general historical happenings, and instead allowed it to focus even more on queer life in Brooklyn.
Nonetheless this book is certain to be a cornerstone of queer history for years to come. It gives life to the stories of queer Brooklyn that have gone quiet and certainly now will never be forgotten.
The book traces queerness in Brooklyn through 7 distinct historical periods. Starting with Walt Whitman in the mid-19th century, Ryan deftly traces the ways in which queer artists and poets, writers and thinkers formed bonds, built communities in neighborhoods from Brooklyn Heights to Dumbo. What the book does is significant: it rejects a view of Brooklyn that sees it as a sleepy borough across the river from Manhattan that only became the radical queer spot it is now recently once rents got too high in Manhattan. Instead, Ryan shows how queer people cruised Coney Island, setup gay brothels on Sand Street, and formed relationships with friends and lovers, staying in queer artist colonies in Fort Greene.
Unfortunately, because of the person-centered format the book takes, and the fact that the queer people in Brooklyn tended to be transient, the book too often wanders away from Brooklyn, following characters to Manhattan, New Jersey, and beyond. A more stringent approach to tracing lives as they stay in Brooklyn would have prevented the book from wasting space talking about redundant, general historical happenings, and instead allowed it to focus even more on queer life in Brooklyn.
Nonetheless this book is certain to be a cornerstone of queer history for years to come. It gives life to the stories of queer Brooklyn that have gone quiet and certainly now will never be forgotten.
March 5, 2019
ARC provided by St. Martin's Press in exchange for a review
Release Date: March 5, 2019
Hugh Ryan's When Brooklyn Was Queer: A History is a delicate but grand truth presented with great care.
Although it's too early in the year to say, I'm certain that this book is a highlight of my 2019. It's a new favorite!
If you're a loyal fiction reader who's interested in trying nonfiction, I suggest that you start with this book. The way the author presented the facts he gathered wasn't overwhelming. The experience of reading it was as smooth and familiar as revisiting your favorite novel.
Unraveling a hundred and fifty years of Brooklyn's queer history, the stories were heartfelt, dangerous, and seductive. I was hooked from page one and sobbing by the last. I wish I could visit the places mentioned just so I could hear the echoes left behind by these beautiful people, but most of these locations are long gone.
As a history enthusiast, an aspiring writer, and an artist, I am very glad that it has opened doors that led me to timeless stories and works that could further inspire me. I have started looking up the featured people and their masterpieces halfway through reading and can't wait to learn more from them.
It is important to read When Brooklyn Was Queer because it unearthed the voices that had been buried and opressed for years. I know some people who are still homophobic, but I believe that this will open hearts and lead to fuller acceptance of the LGBTQIA community. The release of this book will cause great change for the better.
I highly recommend it. I will definitely check out the author's future works.
Release Date: March 5, 2019
Hugh Ryan's When Brooklyn Was Queer: A History is a delicate but grand truth presented with great care.
Although it's too early in the year to say, I'm certain that this book is a highlight of my 2019. It's a new favorite!
If you're a loyal fiction reader who's interested in trying nonfiction, I suggest that you start with this book. The way the author presented the facts he gathered wasn't overwhelming. The experience of reading it was as smooth and familiar as revisiting your favorite novel.
Unraveling a hundred and fifty years of Brooklyn's queer history, the stories were heartfelt, dangerous, and seductive. I was hooked from page one and sobbing by the last. I wish I could visit the places mentioned just so I could hear the echoes left behind by these beautiful people, but most of these locations are long gone.
As a history enthusiast, an aspiring writer, and an artist, I am very glad that it has opened doors that led me to timeless stories and works that could further inspire me. I have started looking up the featured people and their masterpieces halfway through reading and can't wait to learn more from them.
It is important to read When Brooklyn Was Queer because it unearthed the voices that had been buried and opressed for years. I know some people who are still homophobic, but I believe that this will open hearts and lead to fuller acceptance of the LGBTQIA community. The release of this book will cause great change for the better.
I highly recommend it. I will definitely check out the author's future works.
July 12, 2021
A great book about history of queers in New York! Not too surprised of how much discrimination has happened in so many years against queer and people of color and how this discrimination has changed the city as well.
August 11, 2019
Brooklyn! My erstwhile home. We all know it as queer today, but the pedigree traces back much further. This book is excellently researched, highly conscientious about its inability to report on the histories of queer women/people of color/trans people (and dutifully elaborate when it does have material to report), and revealed a bunch of strange little facts, all pluses. I would say that a lot of it was stuff I didn't find that interesting, even if others likely would.
Certainly not a fault of the author's, but this is my review so I give it a hearty 3.5 stars.
Certainly not a fault of the author's, but this is my review so I give it a hearty 3.5 stars.
December 27, 2024
This is one of my favorite reads of 2024! This book offers a great introduction to queer history in Brooklyn, while simultaneously documenting the rise of urban Brooklyn (and the role of the Brooklyn Navy Yard), the effects of Prohibition, WWII, and the mass exodus that suburbanization of the 1950’s and 1960’s caused. It’s informative but written in a very accessible and entertaining tone that makes it exciting and interesting to read. I highly highly recommend this book!!!!
June 17, 2025
4.5 audiobook
June 7, 2025
Man I love queer history. Fantastic research, very well written, great stuff!! I really need to get back into reading more queer non-fiction
October 3, 2020
3 1/2 stars. It started out great but then it got bogged down. Still, super interesting subject matter.
June 10, 2019
In this meticulously researched and engagingly written non-fiction monography, Ryan traces queer lives, experiences, and communities in Brooklyn from 1855 (the year Walt Whitman published Leaves of Grass) until 1969. Ryan uses this focus to delve into a wide array of topics and themes, while always managing to hold all the threads together. He analyzes how ideas around gender and sexuality changed, writes about the architectural, social, and economic changes in Brooklyn, and gives a history of performing arts and literature in this time period. He portrays a wide array of individuals - some famous, others not. I found these more ordinary lives especially fascinating. Every page of this book is full of insights and interesting material. I appreciated Ryan's precise analyses, never trying to easily put people into boxes but rather describes their lives and contexts in detail, noting open questions or things we might never know, and also showing awareness of the contexts in which certain information was gathered (and why the wealth on material we have on groups of people varies). Going in, I was afraid this book might be overwhelming about white gay men (or what we might classify today as such) but this is not the case at all. Ryan is very much aware of gender, race, class, and makes a lot of effort to especially showcase the lives of those whose histories are rendered even more invisible than others. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
"In the minds of many, queer American history is a straight line forever shooting upward, a march of incremental progress, where decades of closeted anger finally explodes into public view on the first night of the Stonewall Riots of June 28, 1969. The truth is much more complicated. What we know of as being 'gay,' 'lesbian,' 'bisexual,' or 'transgender' didn't exist until the early twentieth century, but there was still a strong presence of men who loved men, women who loved women, and gender outlaws of all kinds."
"In the minds of many, queer American history is a straight line forever shooting upward, a march of incremental progress, where decades of closeted anger finally explodes into public view on the first night of the Stonewall Riots of June 28, 1969. The truth is much more complicated. What we know of as being 'gay,' 'lesbian,' 'bisexual,' or 'transgender' didn't exist until the early twentieth century, but there was still a strong presence of men who loved men, women who loved women, and gender outlaws of all kinds."
August 30, 2022
incredible collection of information and stories! i highlighted so much!! love love love. thank you mr ryan for what you’ve done here
June 28, 2022
I don't typically like non-fiction, but the prose was really interesting and accessible. I definitely recommend this to any queer people, who want to know how our identity terms and community changed over the 19th-20th century!
July 22, 2024
a lot of super interesting information. but it is giving dissertation (derogatory)
April 22, 2024
Audiobook- check this out if you want to learn about the intersections of urban renewal and pre-stonewall queer communities in ny
May 15, 2024
wowwwowoow
if you’re queer! and you live in brooklyn! u should read
my brain feels so much bigger now
if you’re queer! and you live in brooklyn! u should read
my brain feels so much bigger now
June 17, 2021
If you're at all interested in hidden history, When Brooklyn Was Queer is a must read. To be honest, I know very little about Brooklyn in the first place, so most of the details about the borough itself was new to me. Either way, this book is incredibly well researched. I found myself particularly interested in the oldest portions going back as far as the 1850s as well as WWII sections. I was absolutely hooked by the author's style and I need to look into more of his work. This has been one of the most intriguing pieces of nonfiction I've read so far this year.
April 29, 2019
This is how When Brooklyn Was Queer began: from a paradox. Brooklyn has a vibrant queer present--undoubtably, Brooklyn today is queer again--and it’s next door to one of the epicenters of queer history in the United States. Were queers like vampires, incapable of crossing the East River, or what? I was certain there was queer history in Brooklyn; it was just a matter of finding it. [Epilogue]
When people think of LGBT history in New York, they tend to think of Greenwich Village or Chelsea, but not--unless they’re a scholar--of Brooklyn. Some of this has to do with the still-present sense of queer history beginning with Stonewall (despite the work of scholars like Chauncey), but there’s an odd lack of physical landmarks or stories to point to in Brooklyn. Hugh Ryan (founder of the Pop-Up Museum of Queer History) decided this was something worth digging into, and he was right.
Inevitably, I can’t help but compare Ryan’s work to the other book on queer NYC culture I’ve read: Chauncey’s Gay New York. Of course, so long as I’m comparing, it’s important to recognize that Chauncey’s book is A.) Written for an academic audience, and B.) Nearly 25 years old. Ryan’s book sacrifices nuance for accessibility, but greatly benefits from an additional 25 years of LGBT studies. In addition, where the breadth of Chauncey’s thesis forced him to prioritize a single demographic, Ryan’s tight focus on Brooklyn gives him leave to explore a multitude of queer expressions.
From Brooklyn Heights to Coney Island; streetwalkers to sailors, Ryan digs down into Brooklyn history decade-by-decade. He stumbles a bit in the early chapters (some minor factual errors and misleading prosaic embellishments), but hits his stride as he approaches WWII.
Much of the broader information I already knew. For those who’ve read other similar works, the first half of the book doesn’t bring much new to the table, except possibly style. For me, the most enlightening aspects dealt with queer women, especially once Ryan settles in to the 1940s. Anne Moses and Rusty Brown both worked at shipyards during WWII, in jobs to which women were largely not admitted prior to that point, and rarely after. (Most women at the shipyards were dismissed shortly after V-J day.) Madam Tirza was a burlesque dancer at Coney Island whose act featured a 1200 lb wine fountain; due to the extensive maintenance requirements, and the shortage of qualified labor, she became a member of the plumbers union and a licensed trucker. The war created a space for queer women in the city to meet (however short-lived it was) and it’s cool to see these stories told.
For the period following WWII, Ryan shifts gears to focus on how the world changed. From pseudo-scientific sexologists seeking to aid veterans with a blue-discharge, brief notes on the Lavender scare, the increasing conflation of homosexuality with violent criminal behavior… this, I think, is the best-written part of the book. The changing world, socially and technologically, had a profound impact on Brooklyn. Economically diminished with the closing of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn after-the-war had a long fall from grace. Ryan takes time in the last chapter to explain how the developments championed by automobile-aficionado Robert Moses economically strangled and ultimately bulldozed many physical landmarks of queer Brooklyn, quite literally erasing it from the record and leading to the disjunction between past and present Brooklyn that is so apparent today.
Despite its flaws, I consider this a good read. Strongly recommended for those hoping for a less demanding read than Chauncey, or those just looking for more Brooklyn-specific information.
February 2, 2025
“I look forward to a future where we also have a past, and I look forward to creating it with you.”
June 24, 2019
I’ll start with the good — Ryan’s book is a lovely, often elegiac, survey of queer life in Brooklyn. He weaves biography with sociology to tell stories that we don’t hear enough. He’s in turns hopeful, tragic, and bitchy.
But.
The book’s central question, from the beginning, is “Where were all the queers?” Ryan seeks to fit Brooklyn into our map of queer New York, and he finds it in the alleys of the Navy Yard, the artists’ enclaves of the Heights, and the bathhouses of Coney Island. That is, he finds it mostly in the spaces frequented by white gay men, preserved in their letters and day-books.
Here’s the problem: if you define queerness around wealthy white gay boys, you’re not likely to find much of it where they’re not present. Middle-class Victorian women were largely confined to the home, so no, they weren’t cruising the waterfront with Walt Whitman. The WW2-era shipyards only hired white women, so you won’t find many Black dykes in the Navy Yard. The working-class hustlers of Coney Island weren’t pen-pals with Kinsey, so we don’t have their side of the story — just the recollections of the wealthy WASPs who loved to photograph them.
Look, I think Hugh Ryan knows he’s limited by the archive. I just don’t think he knows how to push back on it.
More than anything, this book made me homesick for Saidiya Hartman, whose “Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments” came out this year. It’s a gorgeous portrait of young black women during and after the Great Migration — vibrant, beautiful, and deeeeeeply queer. Early on, she labels her project as “reading against the archive”; that is, looking into the gaps and reading between the lines to find lives that history erased. I wish Hugh Ryan would have done the same.
But.
The book’s central question, from the beginning, is “Where were all the queers?” Ryan seeks to fit Brooklyn into our map of queer New York, and he finds it in the alleys of the Navy Yard, the artists’ enclaves of the Heights, and the bathhouses of Coney Island. That is, he finds it mostly in the spaces frequented by white gay men, preserved in their letters and day-books.
Here’s the problem: if you define queerness around wealthy white gay boys, you’re not likely to find much of it where they’re not present. Middle-class Victorian women were largely confined to the home, so no, they weren’t cruising the waterfront with Walt Whitman. The WW2-era shipyards only hired white women, so you won’t find many Black dykes in the Navy Yard. The working-class hustlers of Coney Island weren’t pen-pals with Kinsey, so we don’t have their side of the story — just the recollections of the wealthy WASPs who loved to photograph them.
Look, I think Hugh Ryan knows he’s limited by the archive. I just don’t think he knows how to push back on it.
More than anything, this book made me homesick for Saidiya Hartman, whose “Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments” came out this year. It’s a gorgeous portrait of young black women during and after the Great Migration — vibrant, beautiful, and deeeeeeply queer. Early on, she labels her project as “reading against the archive”; that is, looking into the gaps and reading between the lines to find lives that history erased. I wish Hugh Ryan would have done the same.
August 6, 2020
I will admit that I almost gave up on this early on. The author arranged this book by era and the initial history of the queer community in Brooklyn in the 19th century was rather sparse. This is not surprising as queer history is often in the marginalia or actively suppressed, but it gave the initial impression of a shaky book premise. However as the chapters progressed both the historical context and cast of people grew substantially.
This was my first queer history book, so many of the topics were new. It was fascinating to hear more about Brooklyn in the late 19th and early 20th century and to see how it's history was not simple a weaker mirror of what was happening in Manhattan, but a vibrant other city. It was a little bittersweet to read about Coney Island, because when I knew it, it was far past its heyday. It was sad to see how much was lost.
The author does an excellent job of incorporating not just gay history (of which I gather there was substantially more material), but also lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history. The latter requires some more 'reading between the lines' as this was not well described or often misunderstood in the previous century. The author also makes sure to incorporate minority, mostly black, queer history wherever he could find it. He doesn't shy away from pointing out that gay black men were charged more often than gay white men for 'crimes against nature'. "The more things change, the more they remain the same."
I appreciate how the author captured the historical context of each era and how that impacted the queer people of Brooklyn. Sometimes it provided them with more freedom to be in a relatively safe community and in others it made life even more dangerous. Their history was also examined through the lenses of race, misogyny, and class.
Overall it was a fascinating book that looked at queer history amidst a backdrop of societal changes and the ebb and flow of the acceptance of LGBTQ people.
This was my first queer history book, so many of the topics were new. It was fascinating to hear more about Brooklyn in the late 19th and early 20th century and to see how it's history was not simple a weaker mirror of what was happening in Manhattan, but a vibrant other city. It was a little bittersweet to read about Coney Island, because when I knew it, it was far past its heyday. It was sad to see how much was lost.
The author does an excellent job of incorporating not just gay history (of which I gather there was substantially more material), but also lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history. The latter requires some more 'reading between the lines' as this was not well described or often misunderstood in the previous century. The author also makes sure to incorporate minority, mostly black, queer history wherever he could find it. He doesn't shy away from pointing out that gay black men were charged more often than gay white men for 'crimes against nature'. "The more things change, the more they remain the same."
I appreciate how the author captured the historical context of each era and how that impacted the queer people of Brooklyn. Sometimes it provided them with more freedom to be in a relatively safe community and in others it made life even more dangerous. Their history was also examined through the lenses of race, misogyny, and class.
Overall it was a fascinating book that looked at queer history amidst a backdrop of societal changes and the ebb and flow of the acceptance of LGBTQ people.
June 25, 2020
Um, not sure what to make of this. On one hand, this was an utterly boring read, but on the other, this would have been a fascinating read if I was writing a paper on the topic or was specifically looking to learn a lot of textbook facts about Brooklyn's Queer scene or if I was back in my Gender Studies class, discussing the content. I wouldn't say this was a bad book by any means, some of the stories and facts were really interesting, however, an average reader isn't probably Hugh Ryan's audience. For those looking to really learn about Brooklyn's Queer scene, this is the book for you.
December 10, 2023
Finally read this book after years of recommendations. Hugh Ryan is both an excellent researcher and storyteller. The amount of primary source research he did for this books is commendable and fascinating. Ryan clearly has a deep love for both queer history and the queer community, and it shines through in his accessible and confident narrative voice. Living in Brooklyn, this book felt like a tour guide through a version of the city I’d never seen before. Highly recommend. Excellent even if you don’t gravitate towards nonfiction or history.
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