Clare Sears

Clare Sears is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University, known for research focusing on gender, sexuality, and social regulation in the late nineteenth century American West. Her most notable work is "Arresting Dress: Cross-Dressing, Law, and Fascination in Nineteenth-Century San Francisco" (2015), which examines how cross-dressing laws were used to police gender boundaries in San Francisco during the Gold Rush era and beyond. This book received the 2016 John Boswell Prize from the American Historical Association's Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History. Sears's scholarship combines historical analysis with theoretical frameworks from gender studies, queer theory, and critical race studies. Her research has contributed significantly to understanding how municipal laws and social practices shaped gender expression and public space in nineteenth-century urban America. Beyond her academic work, Sears has developed curriculum materials on LGBTQ history and serves on various academic committees focused on gender and sexuality studies. Her research continues to influence discussions about the historical regulation of gender expression and its implications for contemporary social policy.

"Arresting Dress" receives attention primarily from academic readers and those interested in LGBTQ+ history. The book holds a 4.0/5 rating on Goodreads from 52 ratings. Readers value: - Detailed archival research documenting San Francisco's cross-dressing laws - Clear connections between historical gender policing and modern issues - Accessible writing style for complex academic concepts Common criticisms: - Dense academic language in certain sections - Limited scope focuses mainly on San Francisco - Some readers wanted more personal narratives from the period One academic reviewer noted: "Sears effectively demonstrates how seemingly minor municipal regulations shaped broader social hierarchies." A graduate student reviewer mentioned the book "fills a gap in queer history by examining legal frameworks rather than just social attitudes." Amazon reviews (4.5/5 from 8 ratings) highlight the book's usefulness for gender studies courses and research projects.

Arresting Dress: Cross-Dressing, Law, and Fascination in Nineteenth-Century San Francisco (2015) An academic examination of cross-dressing laws in San Francisco between 1850-1900, analyzing how these regulations affected gender norms, public space, and social control.

Assassin of Youth: A Kaleidoscopic History of Harry J. Anslinger's War on Drugs (2016) A historical account of U.S. drug policy under Federal Bureau of Narcotics commissioner Harry Anslinger, focusing on his anti-drug campaigns from the 1930s through the 1960s.

Gender Regulations: Cross-Dressing and the Law in Victorian America (2014) A study of nineteenth-century American laws targeting cross-dressing, examining their implementation and impact on gender expression and civil rights.

Sarah Schulman writes about LGBTQ+ history and social politics in urban spaces, particularly focusing on gentrification and marginalized communities in New York City. Her work combines academic analysis with narrative storytelling, similar to Sears' approach to examining historical regulation of gender and sexuality.

Susan Stryker documents transgender history and politics in San Francisco, with detailed research into medical institutions and legal frameworks. Her examination of urban spaces and their impact on gender non-conforming people parallels Sears' work on vice districts.

Nayan Shah investigates race, sexuality, and public health policies in Western American cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His research on how law enforcement and medical authorities regulated immigrant communities shares methodological approaches with Sears' studies.

George Chauncey focuses on gay male urban culture and police surveillance in early 20th century New York City. His work on spatial politics and social control mechanisms reflects similar themes found in Sears' research on San Francisco.

Jennifer Terry analyzes the historical intersections of medicine, sexuality, and social control in American society. Her examination of how scientific discourse shapes public understanding of gender and sexuality aligns with Sears' investigation of regulatory practices.