In the 2020 documentary P.S. Burn This Letter Please, directors Michael Seligman and Jennifer Tiexiera offer an intimate exploration of LGBTQ+ life in 1950s New York City. Through a rediscovered collection of letters written by drag queens of the era, the film brings to light the personal histories of a community that, until recently, was largely erased from mainstream historical narratives. The documentary captures the triumphs, challenges, and everyday lives of these marginalized individuals, revealing the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community during a time when their identities were often criminalized and hidden. The filmmakers provide a fresh, personal perspective on a time that was both a period of great artistic and cultural expression and one fraught with oppression and danger. Through a combination of archival materials, expert commentary, and intimate interviews, P.S. Burn This Letter Please reclaims a forgotten chapter of LGBTQ+ history, making it accessible to modern audiences.
At the heart of the documentary lies a box of letters discovered in 2014. These letters, written to a man named Reno Martin, were penned by his friends - many of whom were drag queens in New York City during the 1950s. The letters offer a unique window into the lives of people who were living on the margins of society at a time when their very existence was criminalized in many parts of the United States. What makes these letters so extraordinary is their raw honesty, wit, and insight into the experiences of drag queens who navigated both the public and private spheres of a hostile world. The letters, often infused with humor, flamboyance, and a fierce sense of individuality, stand as a testament to the ability of these individuals to carve out spaces of joy and self-expression despite overwhelming adversity. As the documentary explores, the lives of these drag queens were not just about performing - they were about survival, about fighting to be seen and heard in a society that refused to acknowledge their existence in any meaningful way. The discovery of these letters is monumental not only because they provide a firsthand account of the time but because they speak to the broader issue of how LGBTQ+ people have historically been erased from the historical record. In an era when the only way to document your identity could mean risking your safety, these letters become a vital piece of history that had been almost lost to time.
Throughout P.S. Burn This Letter Please, Seligman and Tiexiera focus on bringing the stories of these drag queens to the forefront. These queens - many of whom were once obscure or forgotten - now receive the attention and respect they deserve. The documentary goes beyond mere historical record, delving into the emotional journeys of these individuals who had to navigate the intersecting challenges of gender, sexuality, race, and societal expectations.
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One of the key figures in the film is Robert, a man whose story exemplifies the way that the system often rejected LGBTQ+ individuals. His story includes the heartbreaking experience of being dishonorably discharged from the military because of his sexuality. But rather than being crushed by this rejection, Robert’s experiences pushed him to embrace drag as a form of self-expression and empowerment. His success in the drag community is presented not just as an artistic triumph but as a form of resistance to a system that sought to silence him. The film presents a nuanced portrayal of his life, highlighting both the triumphs and the obstacles that shaped his identity and journey. Other figures featured in the film, like Anna Genovese, provide further layers to the narrative. Anna’s story is particularly poignant - she was a woman who, despite being overshadowed by her infamous husband Vito Genovese, built her own empire. The documentary sheds light on how Anna, despite the limitations of her time, managed to make her mark as a businesswoman and entrepreneur in a world dominated by men. Her story, however, was often reduced to the role of "Mrs. Vito Genovese," as if her identity was somehow secondary to that of her husband. This erasure is something that Seligman and Tiexiera actively seek to correct, highlighting the untold stories of women like Anna who were marginalized even within their own communities.
P.S. Burn This Letter Please does not shy away from showing the darker side of history. The documentary provides essential context by reminding viewers of the dangers LGBTQ+ individuals faced when they expressed their true selves. During the 1950s, not only were drag queens stigmatized, but they were often criminalized. Laws in New York City, for instance, made it illegal for men to wear women's clothing in public or for individuals to be served alcohol in a bar if they were known to be LGBTQ+. These laws created an environment where LGBTQ+ people lived in constant fear of arrest, discrimination, and violence. However, the film also emphasizes how the drag community, particularly the ballroom scene, became a sanctuary for those who needed a place to be themselves.
In contrast to the exploitative nature of many clubs, where straight audiences watched drag performances for entertainment, the balls were spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals could perform for their peers, seeking respect and recognition from one another. These events, often held in Harlem, were integral to the formation of a distinct LGBTQ+ culture, one that prioritized community and mutual admiration rather than the exploitation that often came with performing for straight audiences. The ballroom scene was, in many ways, an act of resistance. As the film explains, the drag queens performed for each other to gain respect and support. Their performances were about more than just spectacle - they were about asserting their identities in a world that wanted to erase them. It is this spirit of resistance and resilience that pulses through the documentary, creating an emotional connection with the audience as they witness the courage and creativity of the individuals featured in the film.
What sets P.S. Burn This Letter Please apart from other LGBTQ+ documentaries is its focus on the personal and emotional aspects of history. While there are many films that explore the history of LGBTQ+ rights and activism, this documentary chooses to center on the lived experiences of individuals whose stories were never told. The film allows these queens to speak for themselves, sharing their personal triumphs, failures, and insights in their own words. Through this approach, the film highlights the fact that LGBTQ+ history is not just a series of political milestones - it is a collection of personal stories, each one as unique and important as the next. The filmmakers succeed in shifting the focus from institutional history to the personal and emotional histories of those who lived through one of the most challenging periods for LGBTQ+ people in the 20th century.
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The documentary also acknowledges the impact of early LGBTQ+ media on both the individuals featured in the film and the wider LGBTQ+ community. Shows like Tales of the City (1993) provided an early glimpse of LGBTQ+ life to a mainstream audience, offering a sense of hope and validation to those who had long felt isolated. Michael Seligman, one of the directors, reflects on how watching Tales of the City as a young person in the closet made him think that maybe being gay wasn’t as bad as society often made it seem. This personal connection to early LGBTQ+ media underscores the importance of visibility and representation in shaping the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially those who grew up without seeing their own stories reflected in mainstream culture. Jennifer Tiexiera, the other director, also highlights the profound impact of TV shows like My So-Called Life, which provided a language and a space for LGBTQ+ youth in small towns and communities where being gay was not accepted. For many young LGBTQ+ individuals, these shows served as a lifeline - a way of knowing that they were not alone in their experiences and that, eventually, they too might find a place to belong.
P.S. Burn This Letter Please is a powerful and emotional documentary that highlights the richness of LGBTQ+ history through the personal stories of drag queens in 1950s New York City. By focusing on these individuals and their experiences, Seligman and Tiexiera offer a profound exploration of resilience, creativity, and resistance in the face of adversity. Through the rediscovery of these letters and the exploration of the ballroom scene, the film reclaims a history that was almost lost to time, providing an invaluable resource for understanding the LGBTQ+ community’s journey through the 20th century. The documentary reminds us that history is not just about events; it’s about people - real, vibrant individuals who lived extraordinary lives despite the challenges they faced. By telling these stories, P.S. Burn This Letter Please not only brings the past to life but also offers a message of empowerment and hope for future generations.
Image credits: YouTube
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