John D

Born in the Bronx, went to college and graduate school in Manhattan, and lived in NYC til I was 35. Got involved in what was called "gay liberation" in 1973 and decided to research and write LGBTQ history, which I've been doing now for almost 50 years. I taught US history in North Carolina for 12 years; created and worked as director of the Policy Institute of the National LGBTQ Task Force for a couple of years; and moved to Chicago in 1999 for a job teaching LGBTQ history and studies at UIC. Have lived in the Uptown neighborhood for 25 years. I retired 10 years ago, and I miss my interactions with students - a major motivation for joining this project. I love sharing perspectives and experiences across generational lines and the ways we can learn from each other. I've published several books, and am still writing and doing historical research.

Photo attached is from 2014 - but you'll still recognize me!