Laud Humphreys Books

Humphreys is renowned for his doctoral dissertation, "Tearoom Trade" (1970), an ethnographic study of anonymous male-male sexual encounters in public restrooms. He asserted that the men involved came from diverse social backgrounds and harbored varied personal motives for seeking homosexual contact in such venues, self-identifying variously as "straight," "bisexual," or "gay." His research, conducted during a period of intense societal stigma surrounding homosexuality, provided a nuanced perspective on the social dynamics and personal identities of those involved, challenging prevailing stereotypes.