Dr. Marc Stein’s Climb to Queer Public History: From the 90s Queer Study Explosion to Taking Risk...

Today, Dr. Marc Stein and Andrew reunite in the ITBR after having first met each other at the Queer History Conference in San Francisco! Marc specializes in LGBTQ+ public history in both his teaching and scholarship. He is a professor at San Francisco State University, the director of OutHistory, and is a co-curator, along with Lisa Arellano, of Queer Pasts. Marc has published widely in the field of LGBTQ+ history and his most recent book is “Queer Public History: Essays on Scholarly Activism.”



Marc recalls the time when he started to explore LGBTQ+ history. He describes queer community studies in the 90s as an “explosion.” Even though the queer history of some major cities like NYC were getting the necessary coverage, he noticed a gap when it came to Philadelphia. While living and study in Philly, he decided to dive into its LGBTQ+ history and wrote “City of Sisterly and Brotherly Loves: Lesbian and Gay Philadelphia.” 



Marc discusses his thought process when writing scholarly work. He finds it important that his work communicate to those at the university and those outside of it. Andrew asks Marc why it’s so important to use first person in his work? Marc mentions that he has been both “criticized and celebrated'' for using the first person. Andrew also asks Marc about his “risky business” in mixing his personal life with scholarly work, and Marc explains how this helps a scholar maintain authenticity. 



Be sure to pick up Marc’s newest publication, “Queer Public History: Essays on Scholarly Activism”: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/97805203...



For more information on OutHistory, check out their Twitter, @OutHistory (https://twitter.com/outhistory?lang=en) and Facebook, @OutHistory.org (  / outhistoryorg  ) .



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Read more about Marc's work here: https://history.sfsu.edu/marc-stein



Read more about the Queer Pasts project here: https://alexanderstreet.com/products/...



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Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (https://www.instagram.com/andrewdavid...) (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (https://www.instagram.com/dipips/?hl=en) (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)