Constructing the Heterosexual, Homosexual, Bisexual System, by Jonathan Ned Katz

This feature explores the human production of the terms and concepts "heterosexual," "homosexual," and "bisexual," which are presented here as evidence of the construction of a historically specific social order or regime. This is the social-historical institution or system that divides people, identities, desires, acts, relationships, and groups into heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual with profound subjective, objective, psychological, social consequences. The chronology includes scholarly works dating to the 1980s, when historians began to develop what is now called "critical heterosexual history," analysis that interrogates the historically specific discourses and institutions that comprise the hetero, homo, bi system. First published on OutHistory in 2014. Last edit: April 15, 2021.

1903, August 8: Alexander F. Chamberlain: “Hetero-sexual contact”

In a long essay denouncing American imperialism, published in a New York City paper, the Irish World, anthropologist Alexander F. Chamberlain includes a section headed: “The Presence of the American Soldier in the Philippines Has Been a Social Pest.” This begins:

Hetero-sexual contact means at the highest point marriage, and at the lowest prostitution. The best the primitive races can evolve falls victim to the worst product of modern culture. The soldier and the bachelor of adventure demand, as of old, the “maiden tribute” that belies alike the professions of Christianity and the decent instincts of mankind. The Anglo-Saxon is no exception to the rule.

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Note
Alexander F. Chamberlain, “’Strenuosity’ Hell Bent; The Enfeeblement of Political and National Morality the Natural Outcome of the Much Vaunted ‘Strenuous’ Life. Modern Materialism Paganism in a Gilded Form. Empires of Conquest Carry With Them Into the Wrold at Their Birth the Poison That Destroys Them Sooner or Later –America in the Twentieth Century, A. D., Cannot Survive by Means That Destroyed Babylonia in the Twentieth Century, B. C. ” Irish World (New York, NY), August 8, 1903: 1, 2. “The Presence”: 2. Accessed March 26, 2016 from Genealogybank.com which requires users to join to access its content.

Information about Chamberlain accessed from Wikipedia on March 26, 2016 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Francis_Chamberlain