“Out West” Museum Series Highlights Gay Contributions to American West

Thursday, December 17, 2009
Charlotte "Charley" Parkhurst

In an attempt to redefine the history of the American West, the Autry National Center in Los Angeles is presenting a first-of-its-kind exhibit examining the roles of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the old frontier. Consisting of a gallery tour, panel discussions, lectures and performances presented over the course of the next year, “Out West” features stories such as that of One-Eyed Charlie, , a legendary stagecoach driver who, upon his death , turned out to be a woman named Charlotte Darkey Parkhurst She was said to be one of the best drivers in the wild West and may have been the first woman to have voted California, thanks to her cover as a man.

-Noel Brinkerhoff
 
Out West (Autry National Center)

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