Outlaw Marriages Audiobook By Rodger Streitmatter cover art

Outlaw Marriages

The Hidden Histories of Fifteen Extraordinary Same-Sex Couples

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Outlaw Marriages

By: Rodger Streitmatter
Narrated by: Christopher Hurt
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For more than a century before gay marriage became a hot-button political issue, same-sex unions flourished in America. Pairs of men and pairs of women joined together in committed unions, standing by each other "for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health" for periods of 30 or 40 - sometimes as many as 50 - years. In short, they loved and supported each other every bit as much as any husband and wife. In Outlaw Marriages, cultural historian Rodger Streitmatter reveals how some of these unions didn’t merely improve the quality of life for the two people involved but also enriched the American culture.

Among the high-profile couples whose lives and loves are illuminated in the following pages are Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams and Mary Rozet Smith, literary icon Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, author James Baldwin and Lucien Happersberger, and artists Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg.

©2012 Rodger Streitmatter (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Americas Biographies & Memoirs Gender Studies Social Sciences Sociology Inspiring

Editor's Pick

Queer love that flourished ahead of its time
"June 26, 2015 will always be cherished and remembered as a landmark moment for the entire LGBTQIA+ community; it was the day a Supreme Court ruling made same sex marriages recognizable in all states. But even before this landmark ruling, queer couplings can be found all over history. Even without the legal distinctions awarded to queer unions in 2015, LGBTQIA+ couples loved, supported, and in every other way acted as husbands and wives."
—Michael C., Audible Editor

Interesting Biographies • Factual Writing • Cultural Insights • Romantic Stories • Educational Content

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In Outlaw Marriages, cultural historian Rodger Streitmatter reveals that gay marriage is not a 21st century idea— and that in fact, there have always been numerous well-known gay couples who lived an "outlaw" life together, despite conventional mores.

Some of the notables profiled are playwright Tennessee Williams, literary icon Gertrude Stein, and movie legend Greta Garbo.

Not only were some of the last two centuries leading artists gay, but they were in committed relationships. Our Arts history is heavily influenced by these unknowns.

Who had the long-lasting relationships— and who had a tumultuous love life? Whose lover ended up being their muse for their most famous work? This book gives the answers.

Sames Sex Couples Through History

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Not a lot of specifics but enough to get a sense of the people.

interesting and enjoyable.

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I absolutely loved this book. I loved it so much, I purchased the Hard Cover. Loved hearing the stories of the gay and lesbian couples who influenced our culture.

Wonderful

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This was fascinating and I really enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed the triangular relationship chapters.

Awesome book.

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i enjoyed the writing style and the succinct descriptions of the lives of these incredible people. it was inspiring.

fantastic journalism

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