William Dorsey Swann (1858-1925)
From LGBTQIA+ Archives Wiki
William Dorsey Swann (circa 1858-1925) was the first known drag queen and first known to lead a gay liberation organization in the United States. William was born into slavery and called himself the "queen of drag".
Modern Articles About Swann
PBS (2021), "William Dorsey Swann: The First 'Queen of Drag'"
Historical Articles About Swann
- Library of Congress, Evening Star describes Swann's "Hell of Iniquity" and the "downfall of young men" (January 13, 1896)
External Resources
- American Academy in Berlin, William Dorsey Swann, Queen of Drag: Uncovering America’s Black Queer History
