During an era that saw protests for women’s and African-Americans’ rights, homosexuals were also beginning the fight for equality. In the 1960s when it was normal for homosexuals to be persecuted by police, the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, was raided by the police who began arresting the patrons. On June 8, 1969, members of the gay community and sympathisers alike took a stand and refused to cooperate with the police. This stand not only raised awareness to the lack of rights for the gay community, but helped bring an end to the raids and the undeserved arrests. The 1960s was an era of darkness for a lot of civil rights. African-Americans were being discriminated against for the color of their skin. They were forced to be segregated from white people in their everyday lives. Women were being discriminated against for their gender. They weren’t allowed to vote, hold office, be paid the same, and a lot more. Homosexuals were also being discriminated against during this time. Homosexuality discrimination is not as publically known as the other discriminations that were going on at this time. During this time, “homosexual sex was illegal in every state but Illinois”. (Introduction: Stonewall Uprising) “The act of homosexual sex, even in private homes, was punishable by a light fine, 20 years in prison, or even a life sentence.” (Introduction: Stonewall Uprising) Everywhere that gays and lesbians went, they were either caught and arrested, or bullied for their actions and lifestyle.
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Many religions during that time were the heart of many discrimination. “Gay men and lesbian women received almost universal moral condemnation from mainstream religions”. (Introduction: Stonewall Uprising) Even the American Psychiatric Association classified homosexuality as mental disorder rather than a way of life. Gays would be sent to seek help, and during the sessions the psychiatrists “would try to talk you into being heterosexual. If that didn't work, they would do things like aversive conditioning, you know, show you pornography and then give you an electric shock. This involves showing the gay man pictures of nude males and shocking him with a strong electric current. Over a short period of time, he will be unable to get sexually aroused to the pictures, and hopefully, he will be unable to get sexually aroused inside, in other settings as well.” (The Stonewall Uprising) If a person was viewed as a sexual psychopath, then they would be sent to a mental institution where they “were subjected sometimes to sterilization, occasionally to castration, sometimes to medical procedures, such as lobotomies, which were felt by some doctors to cure homosexuality and other sexual diseases.” (The Stonewall Uprising) Because of homosexuality being classified as a mental disease, if men in the armed forces were found to be gay, they would be forced to leave. During this time, World War 2 was taking place. Many homosexuals would be accused of being Communists and enemies of the state. (Burns, Kate) After they were gone, they wouldn’t be able to get a job. Some gay men decided to try to commit suicide because of this. If people in government positions or positions of power were found to participating in homosexual acts, they would be expelled from work. (Burns, Kate) Some gays tried to commit suicide because of this. Suicide rates among homosexuals was very high during this
Many religions during that time were the heart of many discrimination. “Gay men and lesbian women received almost universal moral condemnation from mainstream religions”. (Introduction: Stonewall Uprising) Even the American Psychiatric Association classified homosexuality as mental disorder rather than a way of life. Gays would be sent to seek help, and during the sessions the psychiatrists “would try to talk you into being heterosexual. If that didn't work, they would do things like aversive conditioning, you know, show you pornography and then give you an electric shock. This involves showing the gay man pictures of nude males and shocking him with a strong electric current. Over a short period of time, he will be unable to get sexually aroused to the pictures, and hopefully, he will be unable to get sexually aroused inside, in other settings as well.” (The Stonewall Uprising) If a person was viewed as a sexual psychopath, then they would be sent to a mental institution where they “were subjected sometimes to sterilization, occasionally to castration, sometimes to medical procedures, such as lobotomies, which were felt by some doctors to cure homosexuality and other sexual diseases.” (The Stonewall Uprising) Because of homosexuality being classified as a mental disease, if men in the armed forces were found to be gay, they would be forced to leave. During this time, World War 2 was taking place. Many homosexuals would be accused of being Communists and enemies of the state. (Burns, Kate) After they were gone, they wouldn’t be able to get a job. Some gay men decided to try to commit suicide because of this. If people in government positions or positions of power were found to participating in homosexual acts, they would be expelled from work. (Burns, Kate) Some gays tried to commit suicide because of this. Suicide rates among homosexuals was very high during this