"Capitalism and Gay Identity" by John D'Emilio: A Summary

In his essay, D’Emilio has created an argument regarding the rise of gay and lesbian identity and the growth of capitalism in 20th century American culture.  His main discussion centers on the family unit, specifically comparing families from the 17th century to those of the 20th century and beyond.  

In the early years of the United States, a “family” was a typical patriarchal structure:  father, mother and children. They operated as a self-contained unit, eating, sleeping and working together to sustain their lifestyle.  Everyone in this family unit had a job, and together the family reaped the benefits of their individual labors.  

D’Emilio theorizes that because of this family setup, there was no time for activities outside of the house which would permit an opportunity for someone to have a personal life.  Therefore, sex, within this system, was largely purely for procreation as well as carrying on a family name or trade. The birthrate for women in colonial New England averaged seven per woman of childbearing age. (p. 469). 

As time progressed and we entered the early 20th century, more goods and services were produced away from the home.  D’Emilio argues that as consumerism rose, the family unit began to shift away from that of the patriarchy into a family life not centered in the home, yet in the outside world where individuals could find social situations outside.  In essence, the family unit began to fall apart in relation to the need and interdependence on one another.  

D’Emilio also points to World War II as a catalyst for those who choose to identify with the homosexual lifestyle.   Specifically, he states that the war was responsible for “…disrupt[ing] traditional patterns of gender relations and sexuality, and temporarily created a new erotic situation conducive to homosexual expression.” (p. 471). He discusses individuals leaving Midwestern towns during this period, and not returning when the war was over because their sense of self and their non-belief in the “traditional” family was not supported.  He expands further on this thought, addressing the communities created by GIs remaining in port cities such as San Francisco after the war, calling the men and women of that era “pioneers” for the gay lifestyle.    

 D'Emilio addresses how capitalism has changed the ideal of the security of the patriarchial familial construct, essentially "weakening the bonds that once kept families together" (p. 473).  He discusses how as the family structure has changed, capitalism has created the opportunity for homosexual love to become center in an individual's life, and in turn, challenge the ideal that there is no one type of family.  Interestingly enough, D'Emilio does not address gay and lesbians as having families, rather "affectional communities" in which they can campaign for their right to be accepted. 

Source:  D'Emilio, John.  "Capitalism and Gay Identity".  The Lesbian and Gay Studies Reader. Ed. Abelove, Henry. Barale, Michele. Halperin, David. New York, NY: Routledge, 1993.  Pages 467-476. Print.