Alfred Kinsey and homosexuality in the '50s: The recollections of Samuel Morris Steward as told to Len Evans

Journal of the History of Sexuality

Volumn 9, Issue 4, 2000, Pages 474-489

  Kissack, Terence ^a  

^a NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ARTICLE; HISTORY; HOMOSEXUALITY; HUMAN; LITERATURE; MALE; METHODOLOGY; PROSTITUTION; SEXOLOGY; SEXUAL BEHAVIOR; TATTOOING; UNITED STATES;

HISTORY, 20TH CENTURY; HOMOSEXUALITY, MALE; HUMANS; LITERATURE; MALE; PROSTITUTION; SEXOLOGY; SEXUAL BEHAVIOR; TATTOOING; UNITED STATES;

EID: 0034287942     PISSN: 10434070     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (31)

1. For the sake of continuity and coherence, this interview has been heavily edited. I have omitted ellipses and have, in some instances, rearranged the order of the text. Words and phrases that appear in brackets have been added by the editor. The original transcript is available at the archives of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society of Northern California. I'd like to thank Kevin Greene and Tim Retzloff for their help.
2. See Michael Williams, "In Memoriam: Samuel Morris Steward," Journal of Homosexuality, 30 (1996): xiii-xv. See also Samuel Steward, Chapters From an Autobiography (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1981).
3. See Michael Williams, "In Memoriam: Samuel Morris Steward," Journal of Homosexuality, 30 (1996): xiii-xv. See also Samuel Steward, Chapters From an Autobiography (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1981).
4. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
5. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
6. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
7. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
8. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
9. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
10. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
11. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
12. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
13. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
14. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
15. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
16. See Phil Andros, Below the Belt & Other Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1982); The Boys in Blue (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); Different Strokes: Stories (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Greek Way (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1975); Greek Ways (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1984); The Joy Spot (n.p.: Frenchy's Gay Line, 1969); My Brother, My Self (San Francisco: Perineum Press, 1983); My Brother, the Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Renegade Hustler (San Diego: Greenleaf Classics, 1972); Roman Conquests (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1983); San Francisco Hustler (n.p.: Parisian, 1971); Shuttlecock (San Francisco: Grey Fox Press, 1984); $tud (Washington: Guild, 1966).
17. John Preston, "The Long Gay Life," Stallion 1 (1982): 55.
18. On Steward's relationship with Kinsey see Jonathan Gathorne-Hardy, Sex the Measure of All Things: A Life of Alfred C. Kinsey (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2000). Steward ultimately published a study of tattooing. See Samuel Steward, Bad Boys and Tough Tattoos: A Social History of the Tattoo with Gangs, Sailors, and Street-corner Punks, 1950-1965 (New York: Haworth Press, 1990).
19. On Steward's relationship with Kinsey see Jonathan Gathorne-Hardy, Sex the Measure of All Things: A Life of Alfred C. Kinsey (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2000). Steward ultimately published a study of tattooing. See Samuel Steward, Bad Boys and Tough Tattoos: A Social History of the Tattoo with Gangs, Sailors, and Street-corner Punks, 1950-1965 (New York: Haworth Press, 1990).
20. See Donald Webster Cory, The Homosexual in America: A Subjective Approach (New York: Greenberg, 1951).
21. On race and homosexuality in Chicago see Allen Drexel, "Before Paris Burned: Race, Class, and Male Homosexuality on the Chicago South Side, 1935-1960" in Creating a Place for Ourselves: Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community Histories, ed. Brett Beemyn (New York: Routledge, 1997), 119-44.
22. See Samuel Steward, "Dr. Kinsey Takes a Peek at S/M: A Reminiscence," in Leatherfolk: Radical Sex, People, Politics and Practice, ed. Mark Thompson (Boston: Alyson Publications, 1991), 81-90.
23. See David K. Johnson, "The Kids of Fairytown: Gay Male Culture on Chicago's Near North Side in the 1930s" in Creating a Place for Ourselves, 97-118.
24. Phil Sparrow was the name Steward adopted while working as a tattoo artist.
25. See Anthony J. Sansone, Modern Classics (New York: Sansone, 1932) and Rhythm (New York: Sansone, 1935).
26. See Anthony J. Sansone, Modern Classics (New York: Sansone, 1932) and Rhythm (New York: Sansone, 1935).
27. See Hubert Kennedy, "The Ideal Gay Man: The Story of Der Kreis," Journal of Homosexuality 38, no. 1 and 2 (1999). Kennedy notes that "Der Kreis mostly published original material and was for some authors - Samuel Steward, for example - the beginning of successful literary careers. . . . Although Der Kreis gave Steward his literary start and he continued his collaboration for many years, he soon felt restricted by the Verbot that Der Kreis placed on descriptions of explicit sex, so that when more liberal Scandinavian publications became available to him, he began his long career there as 'Phil Andros.'" The volumes of Der Kreis that Kennedy used for his study and that are now housed at the Center for Research and Education in Sexuality, located at San Francisco State University, were originally Steward's.
28. Rudolf Burkhardt was an alias used by Rudolf Jung. See Samuel Steward, Chapters from an Autobiography, 110.
29. Elsewhere Steward states, "During the first six years as a tattoo artist, I kept count of the number of overt homosexuals who were tattooed: 31 out of approximately fifty thousand persons." See Phil Sparrow as told to Phil Andros, "Tattooing and Sex: How Much Do You Reveal About Yourself," Vector 6 (August 1970): 36.
30. See Samuel Steward, Understanding the Male Hustler (New York: Harrington Park Press, 1991).
31. Steward used a system of symbols to document specifics about the sexual encounters recorded in his "stud file."