Gays and Feminists: Public Memory and Historiographic Discourse

• In Event: ICA Interactive Paper/Poster Session II
  In Interactive Paper Session: Communication History Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

This article presents initial research into the formation of public memory around LGBTQ and feminist social movements. By performing a historiographic discourse analysis of nonfiction works on these two movements, I analyze their references to and about each other in order to determine the received view of the relations between the two groups. The historiographic discourse is approached here as an institutional contributor to the foundation of emergent public memory. Findings suggest that, while references between groups are common, they are brief and shallow. Analysis of the texts finds three major themes of commonality, opposition, and intellectual contributions. Examining their contours, I argue for the importance of memory studies that examine the processes of creating public memory, even those that may not yet have solidified. Such cases offer an opportunity for scholars to potentially intervene, as seen here in the complexities involved in coalition building across social movements.

Author

• Travers Scott, Clemson U