House of Swann: Where Slaves Became Queens — And Changed the World

In this new book, Joseph tells the story of William Dorsey Swann — a formerly enslaved Black man who was the first drag queen recorded in history and held secret drag balls in Washington D.C. Using archival records, Joseph highlights the life of the queer activist including the impact Swann had on the community through the 1880s and 1890s. House of Swann (Crown) explores the untold history of queer resistance and liberation.

Paw in print

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PAW's July/August 2025 issue cover, featuring a photo of people dressed in orange and black, marching in the P-rade, and the headline: Reunions, Back in Orange & Black.
The Latest Issue

July 2025

On the cover: Wilton Virgo ’00 and his classmates celebrate during the P-rade.