Biography
Bridgette W. Gunnels is a scholar in Latin American literature from the twentieth century with special emphasis in the short story of the Southern Cone. Dr. Gunnels possesses a deep preparation in Latin American history, especially Latin American identity, economic and environmental histories, and diaspora studies. For the past five years, her research focus has been in the Caribbean, more specifically Cuba. Current research focuses on migration from Cuba from the Mariel Port, and this generation’s experience in the United States as they settled mainly in the US Deep South. This project utilizes cultural ethnography as well as archival research to develop a nuanced view of what life was like during the 1970s, 80s and 90s for gay Mariel migrants living in the US Deep South, and compares it to rural/urban migration of US born gay men in the same decades. With uniquely shared historical ties, the regional identity politics of the US Deep South and Cuba converge in unexpected ways.
Research
Southern Masculinities: From Alabama to Havana is a project that traces the stories of US gay males in the US Deep South and Cuban males who have migrated to the US Deep South, with emphasis on those who left from the Mariel Port. This project spans the late 70s, 80s (post Mariel Boatlift), up to 1995, and explores the lasting effect of the AIDS crisis on both populations, as well as the changes in political and economic landscapes in both areas. Ethnographic research for this project, as partially funded by NOCGS, includes participant interviews in New Orleans, LA, Oxford, MS, Birmingham, AL, Atlanta, GA, rural parts of both South and North Carolina, and Nashville, TN. Archival research as well as participant interviews are conducted in Miami, FL, Tampa, FL, the city of Matanzas, Cuba and Havana, Cuba.
