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

Image
The February 2026 cover of PAW, featuring a photo of Joseph Nye.
The Latest Issue

February 2026

Lives Lived & Lost in 2025, Saying ’yes’ to more housing; AI startup stars