Sea queen
Sea queens is a term referring to
Written narrative
Hello Sailor! The Hidden History of Gay Life at Sea
During the 1950s and 1960s a large percentage of gay men began joining the Navy. In the Navy, gay men could be truthful about their sexuality. They used it as an outlet of freedom where they could express themselves, whether that was through different clothing or other traits and were able to do this without the fear of being discriminated against.[1]
Historical context
Polari
Gay men may have used Polari to communicate during these times. Polari was a coded language used by gay men that used metaphors and coded or made up words to talk about the topic of homosexuality without others around them knowing.[2]
Discrimination in Newport
The community of sea queens and the flourishing number of gays in the Navy was not the only event that was happening during this time. Many other events can be linked to a surge in the gay population, but it didn't always end with a positive story to tell. One important event can be recalled from an instance in Newport, Rhode Island where gay, male sailors were being targeted by the military, discriminated against, and were even being arrested if they were found to be gay.[3]
See also
References
- ISBN 9780582772144.
- ^ Baker, Paul (2002). Polari- The Lost Language of Gay Men. London: Routledge. p. 1.
- ^ Murphy, Lawrence R. (1988). Perverts by Official Order: The Campaign Against Homosexuals by the United States Navy. The Haworth Press. p. 2.