Gay Liberation Movement Origins of Movement • 1920s: Laws restricting rights of homosexuals (part of Red Scare “Lavender Scare”) • Post-WWII: activist groups formed (globally) • July 4, 1965: Gay rights protest march in Independence Hall (Philadelphia) • New social movements of the 1960’s (Black Power, Feminism, anti-Vietnam War) inspired many LGBT activists. Origins: Misconceptions, Fear, Ignorance • Today terms like gender identity, pansexual, transgender, and marriage equality are openly discussed. But pre-1970, these topics were forbidden. This led to a general lack of understanding. For example, people believed: – Being gay was contagious; therefore, you had to stay away from gays – Being gay meant that you were perverted, sexually addicted or a pedophile – Being gay meant that you had a mental disorder (Up until 1970 homosexuality was categorized as a “mental illness” by American doctors) – Since being gay was an illness, it could be cured (Caused people to pursue “gay conversion” through therapy or electro-shock “treatments”) • See for yourself! Watch this 1950’s PSA (titled “Boys Beware!”) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17u01_sWjRE • The lack of understanding around homosexuality caused Americans to respond with fear and prejudice. • The desire to address these misconceptions spurred an entire movement! The overall goal of this movement was to find equality in society. Origins of the Movement The desire for equality centered around two hotspots of protest in the 1970s San Francisco, CA Greenwich Village, NYC Origins of the Movement: Stonewall The Stonewall • Serving homosexuals Inn, taken alcohol was illegal September 1969. under NY law The sign in the • Caused police to window reads: "We target gay bars – homosexuals frequent raids & plead with our arrests people to please help • Police Raid at the maintain Stonewall Inn in 1969 peaceful conduct on the (most famous Gay bar streets of the in Greenwich Village) Village Origins of the Movement: Stonewall • The raid led to the Stonewall Riots: series of demonstrations throughout Greenwich Village (NYC) • Most important event leading to Gay Liberation Movement Origins of the Movement: Stonewall • “We all had a collective feeling like we'd had enough of this kind of shit. It wasn't anything tangible anybody said to anyone else, it was just kind of like everything over the years had come to a head on that one particular night in the one particular place, and it was not an organized demonstration... Everyone in the crowd felt that we were never going to go back. It was like the last straw. It was time to reclaim something that had always been taken from us.... All kinds of people, all different reasons, but mostly it was total outrage, anger, sorrow, everything combined, and everything just kind of ran its course. It was the police who were doing most of the destruction. We were really trying to get back in and break free. And we felt that we had freedom at last, or freedom to at least show that we demanded freedom. We weren't going to be walking meekly in the night and letting them shove us around—it's like standing your ground for the first time and in a really strong way, and that's what caught the police by surprise. There was something in the air, freedom a long time overdue, and we're going to fight for it. It took different forms, but the bottom line was, we weren't going to go away. And we didn't.” • Stonewall Riot Participant (1969) Stonewall Inn is still an important historic site & monument to Gay Rights today! (This pic was sent to me by a former IB student! See - People do remember what they learn in history class! ) Remembering Stonewall • Last year marked the 50th anniversary of this monumental event within the movement! • Watch this clip and analyze Stonewall’s impact on the movement • https://www.youtub e.com/watch?v=bS1 XHoGPRdg Origins: Goals of Movement • End LGBT-based discrimination • Equal rights for LGBT civilians and couples • Challenge constructs of masculinity and femininity, homophobia and heteronormativity (especially within the family unit) • Changing laws and policies in order to gain new rights, benefits and protections • Counter societal shame with gay pride Gay Liberation Movement: Groups • Gay Liberation Front: • Motivated by job discrimination in NYC • It’s stated purpose was: – “We are a revolutionary group of men and women formed with the realization that complete sexual liberation for all people cannot come about unless existing social institutions are abolished. We reject society's attempt to impose sexual roles and definitions of our nature.” • Inspired by “Black Power,” the GLF championed the slogan "Gay Power“ • More militant • Inspired concept of “pride” • Highly involved in politics Gay Liberation Movement: Groups • Gay Activists’ Alliance (GAA) • Formed in 1969 by former-GLF members • Goal was to "secure basic human rights, dignity and freedom for all gay people.” • Organized the first Gay Pride March in 1970 • Published the Gay Activist newspaper • GAA members performed zaps - public • Watch this video about demonstrations designed to embarrass a GAA and their tactics public figure to bring attention to LGBT https://www.youtube.com/ rights watch?v=YY3djfXTF_w Reed Erickson • Born Rita Erickson • In 1963, he began transitioning to a male and legally changed his name. • Joined the successful family electronic business & inherited $40M after his father’s death • Created the Erickson Educational Foundation – focused on education and counseling for transsexualism. • Over the next 30 years, he invested in several research projects at John Hopkins university about transsexualism Brenda Howard • Living in a commune inspired to come out as bisexual • Howard became critical of movement’s domination by men join the Feminist Movement! • After Stonewall Riots, she became an active member of the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance's Speakers Bureau. • Focused on traveling/speeches to increase exposure to movement • Organized the first Pride March in 1970 (“Mother of Pride”) • Worked with NYC City Council to pass LGBT protections in 1986 – Organized the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights and the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights. Harvey Milk • Involved in the counter-culture movement of the 1960’s • Became the first openly gay elected official in Jan. 1978 • Most pro-LGBT politician in the United States at the time • Responsible for passing a gay rights ordinance for San Francisco • Assassinated in November 1978 martyr for the cause Harvey Milk • Milk is still considered one of the most influential Gay rights activists. Watch this video clip to learn why • https://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=69xLk1nn5z4 Mark Segal • Member of GLF from 1969–1971 • As a pioneer of the local gay press movement, he used the media to gain attention for the cause • Founder of the National Gay Press Association, the National Gay Newspaper Guild, and publisher of the award-winning Philadelphia Gay News. • Focused on publicizing the movement: Watch Segal in action and answer – Walter Cronkite the question on the wkst – The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson https://www.youtube.com/watch? and v=b7ZZzg6a9Lo – The Today Show with Barbara Walters Achievements • 1973: "homosexuality" is removed from the diagnostics manual of mental illness • Gay Lib v. University of Missouri (1977): The state has no right to restrict speech 'simply because it finds the views expressed to be abhorrent'." • 1980’s: Gained strength with increased HIV/AIDS awareness • Many achievements did not take place until 2013 under the Obama administration. To what extent was this movement successful? (Watch both clips before coming to your own conclusion!) • LGBTQ Top 10 Achievements – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbK9roswGRw • This clip covers modern implications of the movement and presents a different perspective – that the movement is ongoing and did not solve the original issues – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCjDnX-Xzhg Mrs. Bruggeman FUN FACT • I was at the San Francisco pride festival (June 26, 2015) when the Supreme Court announced legalization of same sex marriage. • It’s hard for me to put the reaction into words – celebration, relief, closure, happiness, love – but I would say this was probably one of the most impactful moments I’ve experienced. • Plus, it was cool to be part of history Review • Overview of the movement: • https://www.youtub e.com/watch?v=jrgt yIAv2bY.