The narrative explores the complex dynamics between gay Americans and military policies during World War II, highlighting the clash between their service and the prevailing antihomosexual sentiment. Allan Berube utilizes GIs' letters, interviews with veterans, and declassified documents to reveal a transformative power relationship, illustrating how both the military and gay citizens evolved through their shared experiences. This account emphasizes the dual battles fought by these individuals: one for their country and another for their rights and identities within the armed forces.
Allan Bérubé Books
Alan Berube was a pioneering historian and the founder of the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay History Project. He is most recognized for his groundbreaking book that illuminated homosexual life within the military during World War II. Berube's work significantly advanced the historical understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences and their place in broader societal narratives. His legacy is defined by meticulous research and a dedication to uncovering often-overlooked historical accounts.


Coming out under fire: the history of gay men and women in World War Two
- 400 pages
- 14 hours of reading
Based on interviews with gay and lesbian veterans, wartime letters, recently declassified government documents, and other sources, Berube tells the story of how the military's mobilization for war made soldiers confront homosexuality in their personal lives and changed the ways that homosexuality fit into American institutions. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR