Many scholars point to a narrative of progress as a characteristic of how we as a society like to portray American history. The idea that things are continually improving, with past injustices working themselves out and social betterment flowing more readily with time is a short-sighted perspective. What the progressive narrative of American history allows for is a belief or understanding that things will naturally get better with time.
This story of history overlooks the struggles and active fight for progress that Americans have endured throughout the history of our nation. Women's suffrage, after all, was not just something that was bound to happen eventually. Women fought, often against strong paternal opposition, to be made equal and contributing citizens within American society. Likewise, the abolishment of slavery, something we view now as common-sense, was a highly contested issue fought over so ferociously that it brought our country to civil war.
Historical change and progress do not just happen. There is nothing passive about history. Groups fight for inclusion and a voice within society on an ongoing basis. The LGBT movement is no different. Agency can be seen at every turn, as gay persons and their supportive allies have organized, enacted, fought, and spoken on behalf of the Gay Rights campaign.
This story of history overlooks the struggles and active fight for progress that Americans have endured throughout the history of our nation. Women's suffrage, after all, was not just something that was bound to happen eventually. Women fought, often against strong paternal opposition, to be made equal and contributing citizens within American society. Likewise, the abolishment of slavery, something we view now as common-sense, was a highly contested issue fought over so ferociously that it brought our country to civil war.
Historical change and progress do not just happen. There is nothing passive about history. Groups fight for inclusion and a voice within society on an ongoing basis. The LGBT movement is no different. Agency can be seen at every turn, as gay persons and their supportive allies have organized, enacted, fought, and spoken on behalf of the Gay Rights campaign.
1924: A Tough Beginning
Organizations for LGBT rights date all the way back to 1924 in the United States. While other countries, especially Germany, may have been progressively ahead of the United States on the issue of homosexuality, Henry Gerber held interest in starting a homophile (support of homosexuality) lobby in the United States. 1924 marked the establishment of Gerber's Society for Human Rights (Baim).
The organization was based in Chicago and was sanctioned by an Illinois charter, marking the Society for Human Rights as the first gay rights organization in the country. The organization began circulation of a homosexual publication, but these efforts were short lived.
In the summer of 1925, the organization was reported to the police on charges of degeneracy. Police raided the homes of Gerber and other members, arresting the men without warrant. Despite avoiding prosecution, Gerber's defense was financially costly and following the incident, the organization disbanded amidst a social scene Gerber himself characterized as a "solid wall of ignorance, hypocrisy, meanness, and corruption" (Baim, 36).
The organization was based in Chicago and was sanctioned by an Illinois charter, marking the Society for Human Rights as the first gay rights organization in the country. The organization began circulation of a homosexual publication, but these efforts were short lived.
In the summer of 1925, the organization was reported to the police on charges of degeneracy. Police raided the homes of Gerber and other members, arresting the men without warrant. Despite avoiding prosecution, Gerber's defense was financially costly and following the incident, the organization disbanded amidst a social scene Gerber himself characterized as a "solid wall of ignorance, hypocrisy, meanness, and corruption" (Baim, 36).
1950: The First to Last
Some time later, under a new era in civil society, the nation's first homophile organization to establish lasting existence was The Mattachine Society (Katz). Originally associated with the Communist Party, this organization was established as a fraternal organization for gay men.
Founder Harry Hay conceived the idea for the group in 1948 during discussions at a dinner party, but supportive action took a few years to materialize. The organization took form in 1950 based in Los Angeles. Leadership quickly splintered, especially with Red Scare, anti-Communist sentiments growing. This organization persisted into the 1960s, but also resulted in various other branch-off organizations.
Founder Harry Hay conceived the idea for the group in 1948 during discussions at a dinner party, but supportive action took a few years to materialize. The organization took form in 1950 based in Los Angeles. Leadership quickly splintered, especially with Red Scare, anti-Communist sentiments growing. This organization persisted into the 1960s, but also resulted in various other branch-off organizations.
Growing Support
One such group to emerge out of the Mattachine Society fracturing was ONE, Inc. This Los Angeles organization grew out of the idea for a gay publication, which was discussed at a Mattachine Society meeting (ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives). ONE, Inc. was incorporated November 15, 1952 and began publishing ONE Magazine in January of 1953. The Magazine is recognized as the first pro-gay publication in the United States.
Despite contentious social terrain, the organization sold magazines openly on the streets of Los Angeles. Opposition was paramount. In 1954, ONE Magazine faced charges of obscenity, which would have halted distribution had the group not fought in the landmark First Amendment case Roth v. United States. ONE, Inc. won the case in 1958 after years of fighting in court. Publication and distribution continued through 1967.
One of the most prominent gay rights organizations was the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), which operated from 1969 through 1981 (Lauritsen). This organization, which had its most significant contributions from 1970 to 1974, was at one time the world's most prominent gay rights organizations. The New York based group was founded by Arthur Evans, Marty Robinson and Jim Owles. They sought to establish an orderly and democratic organization committed exclusively to the liberation of homosexuals.
Materials produced by the GAA are important markers in the gay liberation history. The constitution for the organizations establishment, approved on December 21, 1969 serves as a declaration of gay rights and an obvious marker of organizational activism. The original constitution of the GAA can be read and examined here.
Another prominent gay rights organization in the United States is PFLAG, which stands for the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays, Inc. In 1972, Jeanne Manford, the mother of a gay son, marched with her son in New York's Christopher Street Liberation Day March (PFLAG). After numerous promptings by other gay individuals for Manford to talk to their parents, the idea sprung forth for a support group geared especially towards parents and friends of gays.
The first formal meeting took place on March 26, 1973 and included about 20 people. Through the 1970s similar groups sprang up across the country and in 1980, PFLAG began to distribute educational materials to institutions nationwide. Enacting significant progress for the Gay and Lesbian community through the 1980s, PFLAG became a national organization in 1990 when it moved its offices to Washington D.C. 1998 was an important year, as PFLAG added transgender people to its mission - the first organization to do so - marking the inclusion of this group and setting the precedence for LGBT organization.
Despite contentious social terrain, the organization sold magazines openly on the streets of Los Angeles. Opposition was paramount. In 1954, ONE Magazine faced charges of obscenity, which would have halted distribution had the group not fought in the landmark First Amendment case Roth v. United States. ONE, Inc. won the case in 1958 after years of fighting in court. Publication and distribution continued through 1967.
One of the most prominent gay rights organizations was the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), which operated from 1969 through 1981 (Lauritsen). This organization, which had its most significant contributions from 1970 to 1974, was at one time the world's most prominent gay rights organizations. The New York based group was founded by Arthur Evans, Marty Robinson and Jim Owles. They sought to establish an orderly and democratic organization committed exclusively to the liberation of homosexuals.
Materials produced by the GAA are important markers in the gay liberation history. The constitution for the organizations establishment, approved on December 21, 1969 serves as a declaration of gay rights and an obvious marker of organizational activism. The original constitution of the GAA can be read and examined here.
Another prominent gay rights organization in the United States is PFLAG, which stands for the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays, Inc. In 1972, Jeanne Manford, the mother of a gay son, marched with her son in New York's Christopher Street Liberation Day March (PFLAG). After numerous promptings by other gay individuals for Manford to talk to their parents, the idea sprung forth for a support group geared especially towards parents and friends of gays.
The first formal meeting took place on March 26, 1973 and included about 20 people. Through the 1970s similar groups sprang up across the country and in 1980, PFLAG began to distribute educational materials to institutions nationwide. Enacting significant progress for the Gay and Lesbian community through the 1980s, PFLAG became a national organization in 1990 when it moved its offices to Washington D.C. 1998 was an important year, as PFLAG added transgender people to its mission - the first organization to do so - marking the inclusion of this group and setting the precedence for LGBT organization.
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