Queer Stories, Queer Spaces: Southern Illinois Histories and Queertographies

History is always contested, stories are always partial, our memories are always incomplete. Queer Spaces, Queer Stories is no different. Capturing a legacy is an impossible task, and while we have worked diligently to capture even a small part of the incredible history of the queer community in southern Illinois, we know we have not done it all. Specifically, most of the stories you hear are told from the perspective of cisgender, White queer storytellers. This mirrors the dominant discourse that surrounds us, much to the detriment of us all. The dearth of stories from Black and Brown, Asian, Indigenous, transgender, gender non-binary, and disabled queer siblings is a gaping hole in this exhibit. May we all vow to live our lives with open hearts and minds; may we seek out those stories that get pushed to the margins, and sincerely listen and learn; may we create spaces where the diverse queer community in southern Illinois readily enters, and knows they belong.

The drag community in southern Illinois is a cornerstone of both the broader queer community and the local entertainment scene. Kings, queens, and other drag royals have carved out their spaces, primarily in the vibrant bars around Carbondale, to explore the art of gender play. Beyond their roles as entertainers, the southern Illinois drag community has been instrumental in modeling gender exploration and has stood as a visible and fabulous force in the fight for recognition and rights in our region. Their presence continues to inspire and uplift, showcasing the power and resilience of queer artistry.

Southern Illinois was not spared from the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As the world grappled with the crisis, the queer community faced harmful rhetoric, denial of the disease, and further vilification by the federal government. This top-down discrimination fueled confusion, fear, abandonment, anger, and death at the local level. The lack of knowledgeable medical providers further exacerbated the harsh reality of living with HIV/AIDS during that time. Amidst this turmoil, people living with AIDS organized and pursued better treatment. The Jackson County Health Department responded to their call and emerged as a leader in HIV care for southern Illinois, providing crucial support and services. Their commitment to this cause continues to this day, offering hope and care to those affected.

Mainstreet east emerged as a key performance venue, welcoming both seasoned and novice performers to captivate audiences with their music, drag, and other forms of entertainment. Wild Pony Productions brought lesbian entertainers from across the country to southern Illinois, introducing the community to queer performers who appreciated the exposure. More than just an entertainment venue, mainstreet east became a vital part of the queer social scene during the 1980s. Over the years, despite changing names, it remained a central gathering space for the queer community. The history of several queer spaces, including mainstreet east, The Underground (formerly Cypress Lounge), and The Pit, is profiled in the 2011 documentary From Underground to Mainstreet by SIU graduate Rik Lee Leipold, available on YouTube.

Many of the activities of southern Illinois’ queer community, particularly in the 70s and 80s, were organized by and involved the vibrant lesbian community. The Stray Cats softball team, the New Minstrel Cycles band, and women’s house parties were just a few of the activities and spaces pioneered by southern Illinois lesbians. Additionally, Wild Pony Productions brought lesbian entertainers to the area. These venues and activities served as crucial hubs for community building, recreation, and fun, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity. Through these efforts, the lesbian community not only created safe spaces for themselves but also laid the groundwork for future generations to thrive and connect. Their legacy continues to inspire and shape the queer landscape of southern Illinois today.

Southern Illinois University (SIU) stands as a beacon of progressive values, with a rich history of fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Students, faculty, and staff have played pivotal roles in establishing the campus as a haven for queer individuals in higher education. Notably, SIU was home to one of the nation's earliest LGBTQ+ student groups, originally known as the Gay Liberation Organization. Despite facing challenges of homophobia and transphobia, the university's commitment to combating hatred has remained steadfast. This enduring dedication to equity and acceptance continues to shape SIU's legacy as a leader in advocating for queer rights and inclusion.

Southern Illinois, with its lush forests and serene parks, has long provided a sanctuary for the queer community to gather, celebrate, and find solace. The Pit, a beloved outdoor haven, originated as a lesbian hangout and transformed into a party venue. Many of the original lesbians who frequented The Pit ceased their visits until it was purchased by Billy Rogers and Hal Diebolt in the early 1990s. Billy and Hal restored it and established a safe space for the queer community. Over the next 20 years, The Pit became a cherished meeting spot where queer individuals could revel in cookouts, swimming, and joyous camaraderie amidst nature's splendor. The Pit was showcased in the 1997 documentary Tales of the Pit, by SIU graduate and lesbian filmmaker Anne Chamberlain, available on YouTube.

The secluded areas around Crab Orchard Lake offered a perfect retreat for those seeking privacy and connection away from prying eyes. Gay Bay was one specific area of Crab Orchard that became a popular cruising and hookup spot. It provided an opportunity for some queer folks to explore and experiment with their sexuality. In fact, Gay Bay saw the start of the fairy-tale romance between Billy Rogers and Hal Diebolt, and the music you hear reflects their time there. Such spots weren’t uncommon in the queer community, particularly during a time when open displays of affection and attraction, and even being out, carried enormous risks. Indeed, even in these idyllic settings, the shadow of danger loomed, as was evident in the tragic and heinous hate crime murder of Michael Miley in April of 1988. This event shook the community to its core and required resilience and courage to continue building spaces of safety and acceptance. 

Cartography is the art and science of map making, of articulating and codifying spaces, geographies, and landscapes in visual form. Queer Stories, Queer Spaces is a queertography—a multi-media, multi-sensory effort to map the stories that firmly establish the place of the queer community in southern Illinois. When maps are lost or altered, we lose the means to understand our surroundings, erasing perspectives that can guide us forward. The erasure of queer people and communities is not new, but today, efforts to erase our existence are alarmingly renewed. This exhibit counters that erasure, particularly within southern Illinois. This queertography declares, “We are here, we are queer, and we will not be erased.”

The Southern Illinois Queer Archive, or SIQA, is an active project of the Paulette Curkin Pride Resource Center and the SIU Special Collections Research Center. Our goal is to collect and preserve material that speaks to the histories, stories, and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, groups, organizations, and communities at SIU and in the Southern Illinois region. We are currently seeking donations of materials to continue to grow this collection, including but not limited to personal papers, photographs, letters and postcards, posters, stickers and pins, flyers, and print media (including LGBTQ+ books, magazines, and newspapers both from and outside Illinois). 

If interested, call 618-453-5627 or email lgbtq@siu.edu to learn more