Drag in the Windy City
Project Information
Summary
This project explores the long history of drag and gender noncomforming performance in Chicago's history, including an interactive map of drag bars, balls, and other locations throughout the city's history, an exploration of the city's several historic gay neighborhoods, Chicago-based presidential candidate Joan Jett Blakk, and the interplay between crime, queer culture, and race in Chicago's history.
Chicago Fellows Faculty
Elizabeth Benacka, Assistant Professor of Communications
Many thanks are necessary to properly acknowledge the wonderful team that made this project possible.
Chicago Fellows Research Assistant
I could not have asked for a better research assistant than Rodney Bethea, Lake Forest College '20. His boundless curiosity and willingness to take on any task was infectious. I already miss our Queer Mondays.
The Digital Chicago Project Grant Team
Davis Schneiderman, Emily Mace, Anne Thomason, and Jennie Larsen provided inspiration, encouragement and ongoing support for Omeka!
Archives!
The Chicago History Museum graciously made their archives available for this project. The Darby images make visible the history and practice of drag in Chicago in the late 1950s.
2018 Chicago Fellows
Annie Barry, Rudi Batzell, Courtney Joseph, and Rand Smith proved to me that scholarship does not have to done in isolation. Thank you for showing me a better way!