Master list with all my meta, hcās, reader fics, Abigail and OC profiles, fanfic requests and FAQ are listed here.
ALL AUDIO CONVERSATIONS ARE FINISHED. There are only 5 missing and they are not posted because of breaking tumblrās content rules.Ā
(These are the racism towards Javier and Charles, Lennyās pocket watch and the Bill/Kieran audio for violence.)
Every single newspaper, side mission journals, drawings, bounty hunting notices, letters and more have been posted.
I am currently working on transcripts for all the audio files.
Note: This is now a multi-fandom blog! Fandoms include Marvel, DC, Dragon Age, Anne Rice, Star Wars, (SWTOR), Baldurās Gate, to name a few.
This is the worst thing I've ever discovered. it's going to be so detrimental to me.
http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/
It has every antique hobby I'm interested in, in one place. FOR FREE!!!!
You're welcome
Edit: Iāve noticed they have a donate option but I personally havenāt yet verified that theyāre legit/still active since Iām not in the US and idk where to look to verify an NPO over there.
Anything in the US before 1924 is under public domain/creative commons. Which means, this stuff is all before copyright. So, it is legit 100% free. For designers like myself, it is a GOLD mine for creative inspiration, and the ccross stitch selection (with 90% of the patterns downloaded on my server) offers a VAST array of various elements one can steal for various patterning.Ā
Public domain is your friend! so, check out these awesome public domain sights for all the book nerds!
https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/
https://www.oldbookart.com/
https://www.fromoldbooks.org/Ā <-- I have fund this site particularly useful in finding decorative borders that I could incorporate into patterning!Ā
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_PageĀ <-- this site has a treasure trove of public domain, but because it is so massive, it can be a BIG rabbit hole, and one that can be tricky to navigate. But still worth it.Ā
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/
I am sure there is more, but thatās all I got so far!
so metropolitan museum of art has a register of books theyāve published that are out of print and that you can download for free! theyāre mostly books on art, archeology, architecture, fashion and history and i just think thatās super useful and interesting so i wanted to share! you can find all of the books available here!
As requested! Please think about "liking" and reblogging! These posts take time. Feel free to request anything else.
A - Affection (how do they show affection to their s/o)
Natasha is more subtle in her affection - but not always! She tends to be more jovial and more likely to grin, one that reaches her eyes, when she's with you. She might playfully punch you on the shoulder, lean on you, or pull on your wrist. Sometimes, it's whispering sweet things in your ear, showing up with your favorite takeout after a long day, or a snuggle session, but in general, she gives love through acts of service for you.
B - Best Friend (what are they like as a best friend?)
She doesn't have many friends, which is by choice. However, she doesn't expect people to give her a chance to be a friend. It's why she's so touched that Steve reveals he trusts her in Winter Soldier. She has proven to be ride or die. Even when she disagrees, she would rather value the person and their relationship over being right, as seen with Clint in Civil War. She's the type that you can vent to at any hour of the day, or if you're hurt, she'll ask who she has to kill. She has contingency plans upon contingency plans, so if you need help with an issue, she is almost guaranteed to have a solution.
C - Cuddling (do they like to cuddle? And how would they do it?)
Cuddling is unusual for her because it rarely happened to her growing up, but also, as an adult, she was always "taught" that cuddling could lead to sex with a target. Cuddling for the sake of intimacy and comfort wasn't on her radar. She's not exactly touch-starved, but she does enjoy cuddling once she gets used to it. She loves to spoon, with her being the big spoon, regardless of your height.
D - Domestic (do they want to settle down? How good are they at cooking and cleaning)
I will go into this in more detail later, but commitment is new to her. The idea of someone wanting her for HER despite everything she has done is new to her, but she does find herself craving stability and domesticity. Her time in Ohio was the best time of her life, and she'd love to have that again. Nat can do the "stereotypical" cleaning and cooking. She was taught it in the Red Room as it was part of the perfect housewife image. However, she does not like that this role is always assigned to her. She thinks it's entirely sexist for people to assume she's going to do all the domestic tasks because she's a woman. In a relationship, this is very much so different. She doesn't make special meals on her own unless it's her choice to share with the Avengers. For her, it's usually something quick and easy. She doesn't care other than that, but she does try with you. She is also very tidy; again, things are utilitarian in her apartment, but she appreciates that you are livening up the place.Ā
E - Ending (if they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)
Thisā¦.is not Natasha's best moment; honestly, it would likely hurt quite a bit.
She is the most likely to be very businesslike and more like speaking to a co-worker than a former lover. However, it is also possible that she simply disappears or leaves a note. It is not a happy headcanon but a possible and realistic one. Now, if you were dating her later in her life, like around the time of Infinity War, she is far less likely to do this.
Natasha is very much a novice to love. She knows how it works and how to get people to fall in love with her, and she believes she's been in love before. However, putting this all into practice in a "normal" relationship is difficult for her, but once you've earned her trust, she is a very committed partner, and she would put her entire heart into it. She doesn't think she'll ever be married, even if she dreams of it. She thinks it's a pipe dream, but the more you talk about it with her, the more likely she is to hope.
G - Gentle (how gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)
Natasha is capable of great gentleness, but the problem is feeling secure enough to show this as she tends to spook. She struggles greatly with emotional availability. Her gentleness is very subtle and more likely reserved for privacy with you. This is for both emotional and physical gentleness.Ā
H: Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)Ā
She's not really a hugger, no. Physical affection was deeply discouraged for her growing up, and even being undercover in Ohio, she struggled with hugs and "normal" affection. (Of course, that never stopped Yelena from giving her tackle hugs.) She is the type to give a hug when she believes it's truly needed and will be useful. It is a very thoughtful and deliberate gesture from her. Ex: Hugging Steve after Peggy's funeral or hugging Clint in I.W. With a romantic partner, her first inclination is not to give a hug, but she would try to anticipate your needs and affection style. She's likely to hold you from behind or something similar rather than give you a hug.Ā Her hugs are very tender and gentle but almost protective.
I: I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)
It would take months, but more likely a year or more before she says it. She will show it in other ways, but to say it would take a long time. She's had very few actual relationships, so she is admittedly new to love.Ā
J: Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they're jealous?)
Natasha would appear completely neutral. You wouldn't be able to tell unless you really were looking for a sign, and even then? Good luck with that. However, she may make a teasing comment or two, but she's not the type to actually entertain jealousy. She's very secure that way because she knows what she's worth and the work the two of you put into your relationship. However, she might still sneak an arm around the waist or give a "reminder" kiss.Ā
K: Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you?)
Kissing the Black Widow is as magical and enigmatic as you can imagine. She knows what she's doing, but the difference is she cares whereas before, they were all marks. The cheek and lips are her main targets, but she knows about all your secret sensitive areas and is not afraid to use those against you in public.Ā
L: Little Ones (How are they with kids?)
Natasha loves children and is lovely with them, as seen with the Bartons, but she still feels as though she's too cold and too robotic. She would love to have a family of her own to give them the life she never experienced. She's happy to be an aunt, but having her own children would be extremely meaningful.
M: Mornings (How are mornings spent with them?)
Natasha is up early as hell. She has always been this way, thanks to the Red Room. She gets up early, grabs a coffee, trains, and reads reports for the day. She's usually up at 6:00 am. However, she will often make you breakfast and place leftovers in the fridge for you to enjoy later. Occasionally, she'll pack a snack to help you through your day. Expect a sticky note with a good morning message if you aren't awake for her to give you a proper goodbye.Ā When dating you, she doesn't exactly sleep in more, but she will stay in bed to cuddle a bit later while working on her phone.Ā
N: Night (How are nights spent with them?)
Nat tends to struggle with insomnia, most of it stems from an overactive mind. It's not anxiety, per se, but her mind is always in overdrive, thinking of contingency plans, other Avengers business, her 'real family,' or her life with you. She will usually settle down with tea and a book before sleeping. Sometimes, you have to take the book from her and turn off the lights for her to get the hint. She swings between preferring her space to sleep or cuddling. It depends on her mood.Ā
O: Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)
This is Natasha Romanoff we're talking about. She is incredibly slow to reveal anything about herself. She doesn't lie about her past, per se, but she gives half-truths or very vague answers before eventually letting you in to reveal more about her life. She will never tell you everything; you must be okay with that. That's simply part of her rules. To pry would be disrespectful and would be a turn-off for her. She can be encouraged to share things but not be pried.
P: Patience (How easily angered are they?)
Nat has the patience of a saint in most areas. Yes, she has things she won't tolerate, but for someone to actually anger her would be quite difficult. Someone would have to be blatantly cruel or foolish for her to get angry, and even then, her anger is biting and cold, not raging. This woman handled the downfall of SHIELD, the Accords, and Thanos' snap fall out and held herself together quite well for all of it, even when there were times she would be in the right to be beyond angry.Ā
Q: Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every detail in passing, or do they kind of forget? )
Natasha was trained to remember things. Her memory might as well be photographic. It doesn't matter if it's a band you mentioned liking once or off-handedly mentioned disliking cilantro in passing; she will remember. That can be a negative, though, if there is an argument because she will remember exactly what you said. HOWEVER, she hates to fight, so she will put conflict resolution above all else.
R: Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)
When you accepted Natasha for who she was after telling you some of her darkest stories one night after suffering nightmares. She had told you about Budapest and some of the early missions she completed for Russia - memories that still haunted her with events that she wasn't proud of. Instead of spurning her, you had soothed her instead. You didn't pity her or try to say that "everything was going to be fine." You acknowledged her and told her she was worthy anyhow. That meant everything to her, as she had expected the worst.Ā
S: Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)Ā
Nat's protectiveness can be almost startling. She is practically paranoid about your safety. In fact, you might have to talk to her about toning it down if you can ever find out the extent of her protection, which is unlikely. She is more likely to be overprotective when she's out of town.Ā
Natasha doesn't need protection, and she would prefer that you don't think that way toward her, either. However, she does appreciate that you look out for her by reminding her to eat, get enough sleep, slow down on work, etc.Ā
T: Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, and gifts?)
Natsha's thoughtfulness is off the charts. It's one thing that makes her such a good friend and partner. She will spend weeks planning something for you, whether it's getting the highest-quality ingredients to cook you something or finding the best way to whisk you away to a nice weekend away somewhere. If you collect something, you know she's been on eBay or using other channels to get you something nice to add to the collection.
U: Ugly (What would be a bad habit of theirs?)
Nat sits or lays down in horrible positions, which causes her bone and joint pain later on in the evening. Her flexibility is her friend and foe.Ā
V: Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)
Natasha is well aware that she's stunning. She knows she doesn't have to do anything to have people admire her or envy her. However, on average, she spends far less on her looks than Yelena. She knows what she likes to wear, and that is usually a mix of sleek and utilitarian. She doesn't spend a lot of time on fashion, but she understands trends. She tends to wear what she wants and applies light makeup, but this is not a priority for her.
W: Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)
Yes, but she would acknowledge that something would be missing without your presence. However, she's been alone for longer.She is used to being alone or playing second fiddle to someone else. That doesn't mean she enjoys it, but she is used to it.
X: Xtra (A random headcanon for them)
Nat is a secret, cozy game fanatic. She loves Animal Crossing the most and will play it with Yelena and a few of the other Avengers who have it. (Steve, Bucky, and the Bartons, mainly.) Scott Lang tried to friend her, and she left him on read.
She's not as interested in the farming games, but she'll play them. She likes the ones with a unique premise.Ā
Z: Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs?)
She tends to wear a T-shirt or tank top and shorts to bed, but she does have the occasional weakness for silk pajamas.
The last one was lengthy, but I had to explain it. Feel free to send requests! (Hcs only)
*Yelena would love to go to Universal Studios. She thinks the rides are more exciting and that there would be fewer crowds - plus fewer kids compared to Disney World. She has no interest in visiting there.
*Her favorite colors are gray, green, and pink.
*She loves perogies and blintz, but sheās also picked up a fondness for corn dogs, spinach and artichoke dip, animal cookies, and, as we know, mac n cheese.
*She loves Mitski, Blondie, Madonna, Tears for Fears, David Bowie, Chapell Roan, and Annie Lennox.
*Sheās new to video games and unsure what to think of them. She grew up with Melina saying they were useless and were for ālazy people,ā so she has a little of that prejudice within her still. She doesnāt judge others for playing games; sheās just not sure if she can allow herself to enjoy them. Alexei loves them, though.
*Loves to thrift shop! She is compensated well for her work but loves a bargain.
*She cuts her own hair.
*She is not a huge reader. She doesnāt dislike books, but she finds it hard to concentrate on them. However, itās all about finding the right book for her. Despite not being a large reader, she enjoys the atmosphere of bookstores.
*She tries to act like sheās too cool for it, but she is a devil with memes. She always finds the best ones and can send them rapidly, but she specializes in making her own memes.Ā
*Again, this is pure HC, but she discovers she has adult ADHD. You wouldnāt think it by ālookingā at her, but ADHD differs in adult women.
During her Black Widow days, she was severely punished often for becoming distracted or distant or for fidgeting too often. However, once she was introduced to the same hormones the other Black Widows were subjected to, these traits greatly diminished to the point that they almost disappeared. However, now that Yelena is free from these hormones, she finds it incredibly difficult to make her own decisions and be entirely responsible for herself. She is not the most organized and can forget what sheās doing and neglect tasks. Yelena tries not to procrastinate, but she does with everyday tasks.
She does not do well without structure or a clear set of goals. However, she's hyperfocused on the task when it comes to rescuing other Black Widows and her work with the Thunderbolts. She has planners and alarms for the most important home tasks in multiple locations. While Yelena does not fit every sign of ADHD, I think it could be argued that she is a good contender.
Again, this is my hc; you donāt have to agree.
Iāve said this before, but I always worry my posts are too long whether itās history / meta posts or fanfiction. Iām not trying to be mean, but peopleās attention spans have shortened and so many of us are distracted. Iāve heard that people tend to get tired after a few hours paragraphs. Iām wondering if I need to shorten my stuff to make it more accessible.
So Iāve been writing for Yelena Belova for a while now and Iāve been taking requests for Pride. Itās so interesting because Iāve received four separate requests for Yelena helping the reader with anxiety. More than the other characters Iāve written for like Natasha, Bucky, etc.
Iāve been trying to break into the Yelena fandom for awhile, but is she a major comfort character for people? Itās hard to find people to talk to, but itās interesting that for anons, there is a lot of talk about mental health and Yelena helping them.
Right, so Iāve noticed Sadie doesnāt get enough fanfics and I have a little idea if thatās all right š¤š¤
Ok so hear me out, after Sadie gets with the reader once sheās been able to find herself love and not been so traumatised anymore, she asked the reader to marry her because she doesnāt want to loose them like she lost Jake (specifically fem!reader, if itās all right?)
Yep! Here ya go. :D Content warning: Gun violence and gunshot injury. Non-graphic.
Bullets whirled past you at lightning speed. It was supposed to be an easy smash and grab, in and out, super easy. Wrong. You, Sadie, and Arthur had staked the scene out the night before, noting every possible point of entry and exit. You were thorough - but not exhaustive enough.
It started easy enough creeping up to the impressive homestead, but despite all the time spent scouting, there was a hidden covered window on an unseen third floor - a lookout room. It wasnāt long til you heard a voice announcing your presence - and then the rain of bullets began, causing you to duck for cover.
Sadie had taken the lead as usual, causing you and Arthur to share a look and sigh. She always was a firecracker. Things were going ...okay.
The three of you had finally carved out an escape route when you heard the frantic shout of your name and copious amounts of cursing. Then, you felt it. The dull throb and the burning, the red seeping through, wetting and sticking your skin. Time seemed to slow down; why had Sadie and Arthurās voices seemed so far away?
You heard Sadie let out a furious roar before your eyes rolled back, and darkness took you.Ā
From there, time was a blur. You felt pressure on your hands, and Sadieās voice called for you to hold on, her voice sounding increasingly desperate.
āIām fine,ā you slurred.
āYou certainly aināt fine, young lady! Gettinā shotĀ aināt fine!ā Arthur chided.
You felt a calloused small hand cupping your chin.
āCome on. Hold on, baby. Iāve got you. Donāt you dare die on me, or I swear Iāll kick your ass in the next life.ā Sadie threatened, but the panic was evident.
Everything was a blur, from hearing murmurs from Hosea and Grimshaw discussing how to best remove the cloth from your shoulder to hearing arguments between Grimshaw and Sadie.
āI aināt leavinā her! I shouldnāt haveā¦..ā to hearing the frightening words, āHold her down.āĀ
A damn shame the pain wasnāt a blur. You remembered crying out and later a cool cloth on your head ā¦ Someoneā¦.it had to be Sadie, whispered words of encouragement.
āCome on, theyāre almost finished. Youāre being so brave. So damn brave. Just a little longer.ā You gave Sadieās hand a weak but present squeeze before passing out again.
Next thing you knew, you were awake, resting on a cot in Sadieās tent with a bandaged shoulder and clean clothing. You glanced around, ready to prop yourself up -Ā
āNo, donāt you dare try anā sit up.ā
You tried again.
āCome on, stop it. Damn youāre stubborn as a mule.ā You heard Sadieās voice ring out and a light shove on your good shoulder.
You grinned toothily.
āThink you like it that way. Stubborn. Keeps you on your toes.ā You slurred, your voice hoarse.
Sadie sighed before giving you her canteen.
āThat what you think? Drink up.ā Sadie ordered. She sat at the edge of your cot, staring at the ground. Sadie wasnāt the most talkative of women, but this was something different. Her shoulders were tense. Sadie had something to say. You wondered if she was going to admonish you for not being careful enough.
āLook, I aināt good at this. All of this.ā Sadie said, gesturing between the two of you.
āItās a wonder Jakey and Iā¦..that we became a thing. When he died, I felt like my world had gone dark. Like the sun would never rise again. Then I met you and my world seemed a little lighter. We took our sweet time gettinā to where we are now, but I wouldnāt have it any other way. Now the sun is back and itās all because of you. But today? Shit, I thought I lost you. There was so much blood. I felt I couldnāt do nothinā but shoot. Sometimes, I feel like thatās all Iām good for.ā Sadie said with a humorless laugh.
āI aināt the prayinā sort. Not at all, but I prayed today. I already lost one love, I canāt lose another. I canāt. Iāve never done this before, and canāt say I ever saw myself doinā this, but you somehow make me do a lot of things Iāve never done before.ā Sadie smiled slightly.
She reached into her pocket, fidgeting with something before revealing a gold band with a light blue stone.Ā
āIt wonāt be the same as a man and his woman, but I think we have our own special thing that no one can take from us. Will you do me the honor of beinā my woman? My gal for the rest of our lives? You make my day a lot brighter, and Iād do anythinā to make you happy for the rest of your days.ā Sadie held up the ring, hopefully willing herself to keep eye contact.
You clapped your hand over your mouth and gasped.
You thought about marriage as a girl. Most girls did, but you always expected it to be what girls were āsupposedā to be thinking about. Then you met Sadie, and your world turned upside down. You always had feelings for women, but Sadie was something else. You didnāt know women could even have something like marriage until Sadie came back with a book about Boston Marriages.
Sadie shuffled her feet, bringing you back to reality. Shit, you had been thinking too long.
āOf course! Yes, of course Iāll be your woman. I never thought it was ā¦.I never thought this day would come!ā you said with a splitting grin and a heart full of love. You laughed joyfully, causing Sadieās shoulders to soften, a wide grin of her own stretching her features as she relaxed.
"Oh, Thank God. I donāt know what I would have done if you said no. I woulda managed, but I woulda felt mighty awkward.ā She chuckled.
You reached out for her, hoping for an embrace before hissing in pain. Sadie rolled her eyes.Ā
āWhat am I going to do with you? Let me.ā she huffed before wrapping you in her arms before planting her lips to yours.
Stucky and Angie/Peggy History reading list! (Or, a 1930s-1950s LGBT History List)
It took me a considerable amount of time to create this list. Please take just a second to ālikeā or even reblog my list. It makes a huge difference. I researched two different library databases, which took hours, and scoured through Amazon.
If you don't have time to read the whole list - my recommended pick overall is number 7.
I have tried to find free copies of the book when I can, but it's not easy with the newer books. Off we go!
Gay New York: Gender, Urban Culture, and the Making of the Gay Male World, 1890-1940 by George Chauncey
Amazon Link: Here.
Archive Link: Here.
This is one of two defining gay in New York books. Itās an older book, but it has earned its place in the LGBT Book Hall of Fame. However, the book can be a bit dry. There are sometimes so many details that you lose the point of the passage. On the other hand, the details are incredibly useful, as heās able to locate historical places by address and name the buildings around them, along with their histories. Most historians donāt bother to indicate exactly where buildings were located or where they are now. (Standing or not standing). I donāt know why more historians donāt follow this example. As a historic preservationist, itās not that hard. There are times when the book is sexually explicit, so just be aware! Much of the book predates WWII, but two things: 1. You need to know the history that precedes it. Where did we come from? What has changed? 2. If youāre looking for Stucky history, youāre going to want the 30s and 40s, so youāre going to want the second half of the book.
2. A Queer History of the United States (ReVisioning History) by Michael Bronski
Amazon: Here.
Archive: Here.
Iād be crazy not to include this book. Itās a more modern guidebook to LGBT+ history. I included the Disability History of the United States in the disability guide. This is a great introduction to LGBT+ history, and I think it provides a solid foundational understanding of the subject. Yes, WWII is mentioned, but I think the general history is great in the book. It does not shy away from difficult topics, and some people may find the book triggering as it contains blunt language to these topics that people may not be used to. However, this is the norm for minority history. Sometimes, we need to use more direct language to convey our point. The book is easy to read, so I highly recommend it. There is also a great deal of diversity between races and religions.
3. Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in Twentieth-Century America by Lillian Faderman
Amazon: Here.
Archive: Here.
I own this book. Lillian Fadermen is literally the premiere historian of lesbian history. Like, there may be only ONE other historian that rivals her. If you want lesbian history, this is where you go. Don't let the age of the book fool you. Look at the beginning for the reasons why again. This book is actually on two of my LGBT lists because of the span it covers. This book covers everything, I swear.Ā Ā
With all that said, her writing can be a bit dry. Some parts of the book were a bit of a slog, but she does use a lot of primary resources, and that livens it up a bit. Her book definitely has diversity in it, especially covering Harlem. There is definitely a lot of content that would work for Peggy and Angie. It's at least three chapters worth, but I still recommend the whole book.
4. Fighting Proud: The Untold Story of the Gay Men Who Served in Two World Wars by Stephen Bourne
Amazon link: Here.
No archive link, sadly.
Iām actually thinking of buying this book. This is probably the easiest to read out of all the books. The tone is more conversational or story-like. The authorās preface and introduction were great. The first half of the book discusses World War I, which is almost never discussed, so that was refreshing. I recommend reading it but feel free to skip to the WWII section. He writes with great respect and reverence for the subject. It was extremely easy to read through the preview. (I used the Google Books preview.)
5. When Brooklyn Was Queer: A History by Hugh Ryan
Amazon: Here.
No Archive link, sadly.
I didnāt expect to like this book, given the way the author focuses on himself sometimes, but he approaches his history through storytelling and interviews with members of the community. The information that couldnāt be gleaned from an interview came from his own investigations and subsequent historical research. The book kind of reminded me of Anthony Bourdain. It has a very rich span of history, and the last third of the book is most pertinent to Stucky, but the content preceding that is actually quite nice as well.Ā Heās similar to George Chauncey (First pick) in that heās able to pinpoint locations. Whatās unique about this is that the book was written in 2019, so his investigations would have to be updated from what Chauncey found decades earlier.Ā
If you like Walt Whitman, youāll especially appreciate the first chapter.Ā
I recognized many of the locations discussed in the book as they were places featured in Steveās history, including Red Hook.
6. Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and Madeline D. Davis
Amazon: Here.
Archive: Here.
I'm not sure how much this book pertains to Angie and Peggy, ONLY because of the discussions of lesbian bars. It's up to you all if you hc Angie and Peggy visiting these. The book is set in NY but more outside of it.Ā
It also discusses being in the closet, but focuses more on out lesbians or at least, lesbians who didn't explicitly hide them selves. (I use lesbians in my writing just for ease. The book pertains to bisexual women as well!) The only thing that may frustrate some people is that femme women take a back seat in the book.Ā In a book about lesbians, it would be way better to have equality. However, the book talks about the working class a lot, which is a refreshing change. That fits Angie more in terms of her job, but I'm not sure about lifestyle. Peggy is more middle class. The book is also incredibly diverse, talking extensively about African American and Latinx communities. So, honestly, you have to decide whether this book is enough about Peggy/Angie or if you're interested in that aspect of history.
7. Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World War II by Allan Berube
Amazon: Here.
Archive: Here.
I liked this book so much that I actually bought it on Amazon after reading the preview.That should tell you all you need to know. In all seriousness, this is a great book. It's my number one pick. Itās highly respected for its high-quality research and writing. Itās a little bit technical in tone, so you may have to read carefully. I didnāt have much of a problem. I just skipped some of the acronyms, and I was fine. He conducted numerous interviews, which was wonderful. I went through the book very quickly. One thing I LOVE is that he works VERY hard to give lesbians their light in the book. Itās been very frustrating to see most of these books neglected women. Some of the book was actually humorous, and unsurprisingly, some of it was heartbreaking. I definitely recommend this book.
8. Hidden from History: Reclaiming the Gay and Lesbian Past by Martin Bauml Duberman (Editor), Martha Vicinus (Editor), George Chauncey.
Amazon: Here.
Archive: Here.
It is another old book, but it is considered a must-read for historians or those interested in LGBT+ history. Many classes read from it.Ā
It discusses how to research these individuals while also providing diverse chapters on various subjects from different historians. The last six chapters of the book are most closely related to Peggy/Angie and Bucky/Steve.
One of the authors for one of the chapters is actually Allan Berube, who was already included in this list. Madeline Davis also has a chapter in the book. George Chauncey has a chapter on World War I for those interested. I donāt have the time or room to discuss each chapter. Youāll just have to see it for yourself.
Important Notes:
You may notice that there arenāt a lot of books about women. That is partially due to laziness and misogyny, but also the true problem that there isnāt as much easily accessible information about lesbian, bisexual, or transwomen outside of stereotypes. There are academic papers that discuss how difficult it is to write about WLW. I can prove it. However, I call some of these historians lazy as while it is true that it is significantly harder to find sources about women, I get the feeling that some of these historians didnāt even try.Ā
A lot of the books are older, but that doesnāt mean they arenāt worth reading. A lot of the books have updates to them. They didnāt achieve such a high status of quality and success for nothing. For some reason, there were more scholars interested in the subject, OR they had more resources, even though we have a more advanced internet with databases.
