1982 J. Clark Henley 'Butch' Map of the United States

A rare and humorous 1982 J. Clark Henley pictorial map of the United States as a 'butch' alli-GAY-der paradise. The map follows on Henley's 1976 'Alligator Oz' map of San Francisco (see Geographicus: SanFranciscoAlligatorOz-henley-1976), in which he first introduced the alligator as a symbol of gay America. Here homosexual alligators, some in drag, frolic and enjoy themselves, their notably salacious thoughts on clear display - and as such is one of the few maps picturing any aspect of gay life. The map emerged during a period of LGBTQ+ awakening, after the 1969 Stonewall Riots, but before the full extent of the AIDS Epidemic became evident. It was a period of positivity and widespread expectations of emerging acceptance.

A Closer Look

The map takes the form of a pair of masculine buttocks wearing jean-shorts cut-off roughly in the shape of the United States. A handkerchief in the right pocket represents the Great Lakes and Florida is a set of keys hanging from a belt loop - both readily-recognizable signals in the gay community.

Henley takes considerable license with geography, essentially dividing the United States into east (New York) and west (California), twin meccas of 1980s American gay culture. 'The Midwest' is reduced to the gluteal cleft, with the Grand Canyon taking pride of place. Throughout, naked male 'alligators' engage in a variety of activities, some quite raunchy. Important sites related to gay culture are noted, including the Castro, Christopher Street, Providence, Fire Island, and Santa Monica. Henley even advertises his own book, The Butch Manual, at a magazine stand near Santa Monica.

Publication History and Census

This map was issued in 1982 by J. Clark Henley. Although presumably printed in some quantity, this is one of only 2 or 3 known surviving examples. We note two references in OCLC, Boston Public Library and University of Southern California. Co-owned with Boston Rare Maps.