Introduction

In this introduction to the Routledge History of Queer America, the editor describes how the past four decades of published historical scholarship on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and queer US history have led to a present moment in which that history has a prominent place in American public, civil, and academic life. After discussing key early texts in the field, the editor explores some of the trends and challenges currently facing queer history and its practitioners. Finally, he summarizes the main arguments of the 28 chapters, broken down into three parts, “Times,” “Spaces and Places,” and “Themes.”