Homosexuality During The 1920's Analysis

The latter part of the twentieth century was known to be a period in which sexuality was both repressed expressed through the creation of subcultures. Unlike the sexually liberated era of the 1920s, the post World War II America was defined by conformity, sexual repression and strict legislation that target homosexuals and other obscene peoples. During this period, the government’s strict laws on abortion, pornography, and homosexuality made it difficult to consume certain goods without turning to illicit markets to fulfil their desires. Keeping that in mind, it’s hard to believe that during this time gay communities and sexual subcultures were even able to form let alone flourish. This exponential growth in the consumption of sexual materials as well as the growth and establishment of the gay community in America were both result of Capitalism. …show more content…
In Escoffier’s Political Economy of the Closet the role of capitalism assists in the flourishment of the gay community by way of bar culture in the early formation of homoeconomy. The bar was the center of economic life for gays due to the fact it was the only place in which they were allowed to meet. During the mid-1900s homosexual behavior in the United States was illegal and highly stigmatized which led to homosexuals forming their own underground communities. Seeing that homosexuality itself was criminal it comes to no surprise that those who ran the bars that accepted gays were run by illegal operations, which in a majority of these cases was the mob. This turning to illegal markets in order to receive goods and services, be it sexual or health wise, becomes a very common occurrence at this