In the early 1900s, most people could not fathom the concept of people liking the same gender. In fact, there was not even a name for being gay or lesbian. People in this era were just expected to be with the opposite gender and to not question sexuality as it was just the way of life. When there finally was a word for liking the same gender, it was labeled “homosexuality” and was treated like a disease. The ones who identified as gay or lesbian often denied it because it was their only choice. If they were caught, they could face imprisonment, commitment to an institution, or even suicide. Gays and lesbians felt they could not tell their families about their sexuality because if they did, they would be disowned and often times, excluded from
…show more content…
A lot of gay people married during this time because of the social pressures. If you did not marry, the changes of being accepted by your family, or others, was slim.
In the 1950s, America’s first homosexual organization, the Mattachine society, was founded by a small group of men including Harry Hay and Chuck Rollins. These men were very careful in their meetings because they did not want to hurt the gay movement. During this organization, the first homosexual magazines were released: The Mattachine Review and One. In
1955, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon created the first lesbian civil and political rights organization in the United States, which offered support to lesbian women and the general public.
In the 1960s, paperback novels about gays and lesbians were coming out at an insane rate. After the Black Cat bar incident, Jose Sarria was a gay candidate running for city supervisor. All these events, and many more, resulted in the launching of the stonewall riots and what is known as the “gay rights movement.”
In more recent news, on June 24, 2016, President Obama designated a national monument at the Stonewall Uprising in New York City. This monument signifies a huge step
A lot of gay people married during this time because of the social pressures. If you did not marry, the changes of being accepted by your family, or others, was slim.
In the 1950s, America’s first homosexual organization, the Mattachine society, was founded by a small group of men including Harry Hay and Chuck Rollins. These men were very careful in their meetings because they did not want to hurt the gay movement. During this organization, the first homosexual magazines were released: The Mattachine Review and One. In
1955, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon created the first lesbian civil and political rights organization in the United States, which offered support to lesbian women and the general public.
In the 1960s, paperback novels about gays and lesbians were coming out at an insane rate. After the Black Cat bar incident, Jose Sarria was a gay candidate running for city supervisor. All these events, and many more, resulted in the launching of the stonewall riots and what is known as the “gay rights movement.”
In more recent news, on June 24, 2016, President Obama designated a national monument at the Stonewall Uprising in New York City. This monument signifies a huge step