Vintage Lesbian Couples -GirlfriendsMeet Blog

We have definitely come a long way, from the Stonewall riots in the Greenwich Village (neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City) in 1969 to the passing of gay marriage by the US Supreme Court this past month. I am proud to have been born in a time where I can express my love openly and honestly. I couldn’t image what some women throughout history have had to go through. Hiding and lying about the true nature of your affections can be demoralizing at best. While our fight is far from over, It could not have been easy in years past.

During the early twentieth century, same-sex relations in America were punishable by arrest. In the 1920’s in Harlem, New York there was an underground blues scene where women could explore new sexual enjoyment. It was a place where they could be themselves and even hinted in their lyrics about their sexuality.

Since then, women have stood up for what they believed in and have helped pave the way to where we stand on LGBT issues today. Let’s celebrate some of these beautiful vintage lesbian couples.

Ethel Waters was an American actress and jazz/blues singer and kept her lesbian relationship with dancer Ethel Williams private, making sure 20th century biographies didn’t mention that they lived together. The two Ethels went to great lengths to conceal the truth about their relationship.

Here are some love stories to celebrate!

Dorothy Putnam met Lois Mercer in the 1930’s and they started dating. The two ladies were partners for over 50 years. During World War II, Dorothy served in the Women’s Ambulance and Transport Corps of California (W.A.T.C.C.), and later the Air Force, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant.

(Above) This couple was arrested and brought to the Racine Avenue Police Station in Chicago in 1943 for violating the cross-dressing ordinance. Evelyn “Jackie” Bross and Catherine Barscz.