The Little Review was a celebrated literary magazine co-edited by Margaret Anderson (1886-1973) and her friend/business partner/lover Jane Heap (1883-1964) from 1916-1929. The magazine was published in New York City from 1917-1921 and featured contributions from some of the most important transatlantic modernist writers, including queer writers Gertrude Stein, H.D. (Hilda Doolittle), Hart Crane, Jean Cocteau, and Djuna Barnes. The April 1917 issue displayed here contains a (not wholly complimentary) article about the newest book by the controversial and openly bisexual Canadian-American writer Mary MacLane, possibly penned by Jane Heap (signed “jh”).
The flyers featured here advertise events, venues, and organizations by and for queer women in New York City during the 1990s, including at least two events that still occur: the Dyke March is held annually, and Lovergirl still hosts pop-up dance parties.
Pansy Beat (1989-1990) was a short-lived fanzine published by Michael Economy, which chronicled New York City’s exuberant gay and drag club scene and featured icons such as Lady Bunny, Quentin Crisp, Deee-Lite, and Leigh Bowery. The book in this exhibit, published by Economy in 2017, contains the original five issues of Pansy Beat in their original format as well as new interviews and artwork from some of the zine’s original contributors. The Spring 1990 issue, seen here, includes a photoshoot with trailblazing trans model, performer, and artist Connie Fleming (aka “The Connie Girl”) in a variety of outfits and poses that cheekily reference Barbie dolls.
