During the first half of the 20th century, attitudes toward homosexuality were overwhelmingly negative. Homosexual activities were hidden and spoken of only in whispers, and homosexual behavior, even among consenting adults, was a criminal offense in most of the United States. Homosexuals were subject to stereotypes and prejudice. Gay men were viewed as effeminate, lesbians were portrayed as mannish, and both were seen as being obsessed with sex, with little self-control or morality. Homosexuals frequently were thought to be potential child molesters. In the 1930s and during World War II (1939-1945), homosexuals were targets of persecution in Nazi Germany. Lesbians and gays back in the 19th century had to hide their sexuality. After the war people came out to support their gay identities. This led people to stay in bigger cities that then formed a culture it led to more gay bars opening in the 1940s.
During this outcome of many people wanting to come out and showing this culture to others built a lot of hatred towards homosexuality. During the 1950s a lot of people started to get fired from their jobs because of their sexuality. President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued an executive order in 1953 barring gay men and lesbians from all federal jobs. The FBI then formed a surveillance program against homosexuals. By the Federal Government taking action at this led police to harass gay citizens. The police had daily routine raids in gay bars or randomly arresting numerous gays and lesbians.
In the 1960s laws in most states prohibited homosexual acts. They also did not allow couples of the same sex to marry or adopt children. State and federal laws often made it illegal for gay men and lesbians to work for the government, and private employers routinely discriminated against them. The armed forces did not allow gay men or lesbians to serve. And most Americans felt it was acceptable to scorn, ridicule, and even physically harass homosexuals. As a result, gay Americans usually hid their sexual preference.
In recent years, people who support homosexual rights have worked and demonstrated to increase those rights. In the United States, the watershed event for homosexual activism was the Stonewall riot, which protested a police raid on a gay bar in New York City in 1969. At a New York City gay bar, the Stonewall Inn, gay men spontaneously protested when police attempted to arrest them and close down the bar. It was the first public protest by homosexuals against harassment by police.
The gay rights movement had a dual agenda: to gain acceptance of homosexuality and to end discrimination against homosexuals. Activists sought to make homosexuality acceptable to the larger society and thus encourage gay men and lesbians to reveal their homosexuality.
Since then, homosexual communities in the United States have organized to work for gay rights. Such groups include the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a civil rights organization that promotes equality and freedom from prejudice and discrimination for gays and lesbians; Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, which provides legal representation for gays and lesbians; and the Human Rights Campaign Fund, which lobbies state and national legislators.
Support what we have been through!
