Memories of a Gay Catholic Boyhood

John D’Emilio is Emeritus Professor of History and Gender & Women’s Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago. He is the author of numerous books, including Making Gay History: Memoir of a Scholar-Activist and The World Turned, both published by Duke University Press, as well as Queer Legacies.

“In this fascinating self-portrait and insightful portrait of his times, a prominent queer historian recalls growing up in the 1950s and ’60s—a smart, pious, conservative, Catholic boy from a working-class Italian family in the Bronx transforms himself into a radical left, openly gay Columbia University student.”—Jonathan Ned Katz, author of, The Daring Life and Dangerous Times of Eve Adams "[D'Emilio's] memoir is a love letter to Manhattan. but also to the Bronx of his childhood, to the schools that educated and occasionally hindered him, to the family members who nourished him—even when they no longer understood him—so he would someday find his life's work. . . . Based on the many pleasures offered by this book, I hope he decides to write the sequel."—Daniel A. Burr, Gay and Lesbian Review "In Memories of a Gay Catholic Boyhood, D’Emilio creates a captivating, and often charming, narrative of growing up in a world that went against his true self. . . . D’Emilio’s work is not only a welcome addition to the evergrowing field of LGBTQ history, but also a chronicle of the influence of differing ethnic and cultural backgrounds in twentieth-century America."—Raymond R. Mitchell, Journal of American Ethnic History "D’Emilio, who has been an eminent historian of the American gay man’s experience and struggle during his lifetime, has turned his searching eye inward and now gives us a different kind of history—one that’s pegged to his own life, loves and learnings. Every page is fork-tender with emotion, and to be honest, in my mind’s eye, I imagined him going back to a huge file of every sweet or difficult or thoughtful observation he’d ever excised from one of his academic books and sewing them together with hindsight for this volume."—S. Bear Bergman, Xtra! "What makes Memories of a Gay Catholic Boyhood unique is its unparalleled commingling of historical worlds in twentieth century American history: the ethnic, Catholic neighborhood; the Jesuit classroom; the gay subculture of mid-century New York; and campus war protests of the 1960s. In this intimate memoir, accomplished historian John D’Emilio delivers a story, his, that brings them all to life."—Mary Ellen O'Donnell, American Catholic Studies "As D’Emilio applies his skills as an acclaimed social and cultural historian to his own youth, Memories of a Gay Catholic Boyhood offers us a caring and thoughtful window into a time of enormous change in American society and the Catholic Church. His account is warm and gracious; he is quick to acknowledge his own limitations while acknowledging the crucial role of his friends and family in shaping and loving the gay Catholic man he became."—Brian Linnane, America "Unusual among today’s memoirs, this one is upbeat and generous spirited about its author’s early life and challenges. . . . The author’s compassionate spirit suffuses the text to such a degree that one hopes for a future continuation into his years as a professional historian. A warm, humane coming-of-age memoir. . . ."—Kirkus Reviews "D’Emilio’s youthful reminiscences make for a classic work of literature that deserves a wide readership. One hopes this memoir is only the first in a succession." (Starred Review)—David Azzolina, Library Journal

• Preface ixPart I. An Italian Boy from the Bronx1. An Italian Family 32. Big Grandma's House 113. School: Becoming a Big Boy 174. Baby Jim 255. Change, and More Change 326. A Family of Friends 407. God Help Me! 498. A Beginning and an End 57Part II. A Jesuit Education9. A Whole New World 6510. Striving to Win 7611. My Sexual Desires 8412. Another Ending 9413. Working in the City 105Part III. Everything Changes14. God Is Dead 11915. War and Peace 12816. This Is Me 14017. I Come Out, Sort Of 14818. Her Name Is Margaret Mead 16019. And Then I Studied 16920. Now What Do I Do? 18221. A Door Opens 194Postscript 205Acknowledgments 207