Ph.D. Student in American Studies
University of Texas at Austin
Phil Tiemeyer is completing his degree in American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, before beginning a position as Assistant Professor of US History at Philadelphia University. His dissertation, entitled “Manhood Up in the Air,” analyzes the sexual and gender politics of male flight attendants throughout the 20th century. The history of these men illustrates how male flight attendants gradually helped to transform certain forces which were originally antagonistic towards homosexuality–such as corporations, labor unions, and even the law–into organs which have contributed significantly to a gay rights agenda.