Unit 8: Lecture 5 LGBT Movement 1951-1st Gay Rights Orgs. -1969 Stonewall Riots-2013 Gays in the Military

Why were gay and lesbian Americans apart of an “invisible Culture?” Sex in general was not an open topic for conversation in America since the beginning. Homosexuality was considered an extremely taboo subject. Being gay was dangerous. You could be disowned by your family Be put in a mental institution or jail Most people lived double lives and kept their sexual preference a secret.

History of LBGT 1st Organizations Mattachine Society 1950 Founded by Henry Hay Daughters of Bilitis 1955 Founded by Del Martin & Barbara Gittings Scared of FBI Investigations all meetings were held in secret. November 11, 1950 In Los Angeles, gay rights activist Harry Hay founds America’s first national gay rights organization. In an attempt to change public perception of homosexuality, the Mattachine Society aims to "eliminate discrimination, derision, prejudice and bigotry," to assimilate homosexuals into mainstream society, and to cultivate the notion of an "ethical homosexual culture." Mattachine Society In Los Angeles, gay rights activist Harry Hay founds America’s first national gay rights organization. In an attempt to change public perception of homosexuality, the Mattachine Society aims to "eliminate discrimination, derision, prejudice and bigotry," to assimilate homosexuals into mainstream society, and to cultivate the notion of an "ethical homosexual culture.“ September 21, 1955 In San Francisco, the Daughters of Bilitis becomes the first lesbian rights organization in the United States. The organization hosts social functions, providing alternatives to lesbian bars and clubs, which are frequently raided by police.

What is the LGBT movement? Movement grows from increasing tensions and oppression of citizen’s constitutional rights. The movement’s goal is to educate people as to the injustice GLBT citizens undergo and fight to become seen and treated equally in the eyes of the law and American Society. People with negative attitudes towards lesbians and gays are more likely to be: Religious, Politically conservative Have little close personal contact with out gay men and lesbians, Support traditional gender roles. They may have a deep personal, moral or religious objection to homosexuality.

Before Stonewall Until 1973 Homosexuality was a diagnosable mental disorder, in which an individual could have been committed to a psychiatric (mental) institution, w/ or w/o their consent, to undergo conversion or re-pair therapy. At the time, the police used any number of reasons they could think of to justify an arrest on: Public indecency charges including: kissing, holding hands, wearing clothing traditionally of the opposite gender, or even being in the bar during the raid. Until 1973 Homosexuality was a diagnosable mental disorder, in which an individual could have been committed to a psychiatric (mental) institution, w/ or w/o their consent, to undergo conversion or re-pair therapy. At the time, the police used any number of reasons they could think of to justify an arrest on indecency charges including: kissing, holding hands, wearing clothing traditionally of the opposite gender, or even being in the bar during the raid.

Why were the Stone Wall Riots a turning point in the GLBT movement? June 28, 1969 Patrons of the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village riot when police officers attempt to raid the popular gay bar around 1am. Three-day riot during which thousands of protestors receive only minimal local news coverage. "Stonewall," as the raids are often referred to, is generally considered a turning point for the modern gay rights movement worldwide, https://youtu.be/2nFxpQG7nBQ June 28, 1969 Patrons of the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village riot when police officers attempt to raid the popular gay bar around 1am. Since its establishment in 1967, the bar had been frequently raided by police officers trying to clean up the neighborhood of "sexual deviants." Angry gay youth clash with aggressive police officers in the streets, leading to a three-day riot during which thousands of protestors receive only minimal local news coverage. Nonetheless, the event will be credited with reigniting the fire behind America's modern LGBT rights movement. "Stonewall," as the raids are often referred to, is generally considered a turning point for the modern gay rights movement worldwide, as it is one of the first times in modern history a significant body of gay people resisted arrest.

How did the Stonewall Riots inspire the GLBT community to organize? Solid gay rights organizations begin to form and take political action June 28, 1970 Christopher St. Liberation Day (1 year anniversary) America's first gay pride parade.NYC In the coming decades, the annual gay pride parade will spread to dozens of countries around the world. Solid gay rights organizations begin to form and take political action June 28, 1970 Christopher St. Liberation Day commemorates the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Following the event, thousands of members of the LGBT community march through New York into Central Park, in what will be considered America's first gay pride parade. In the coming decades, the annual gay pride parade will spread to dozens of countries around the world.

When was the 1st National Protest? October 14, 1979 An estimated 75,000 people participate in the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. LGBT people and straight allies demand equal civil rights and urge for the passage of protective civil rights legislature.

Who was Harvey Milk and how did he become a martyr for the GLBT cause? November 8, 1977 Harvey Milk wins a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors The first openly gay man elected to public office A year later, on November 27, 1978, former city supervisor Dan White assassinates Milk. White's actions are motivated by jealousy and depression, rather than homophobia He is remembered as being the first public servant to use the legislature to secure rights for the GLBT community. Milk is responsible for introducing a gay rights ordinance protecting gays and lesbians from being fired from their jobs. Milk also leads a successful campaign against Proposition 6, an initiative forbidding homosexual teachers.

AIDS CHANGESEVERYTHING July 3, 1981 The New York Times prints the first story of a rare pneumonia and skin cancer found in 41 gay men in New York and California. The CDC initially refers to the disease as GRID, Gay Related Immune Deficiency Disorder. May - June, 1988 The CDC mails a brochure, Understanding AIDS, to every household in the U.S. Approximately 107 million brochures are mailed https://youtu.be/FDVNdn0CvKI July 3, 1981 The New York Times prints the first story of a rare pneumonia and skin cancer found in 41 gay men in New York and California. The CDC initially refers to the disease as GRID, Gay Related Immune Deficiency Disorder. When the symptoms are found outside the gay community, Bruce Voeller, biologist and founder of the National Gay Task Force, successfully lobbies to change the name of the disease to AIDS. March 10, 1987 AIDS advocacy group ACT UP (The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) is formed in response to the devastating affects the disease has had on the gay and lesbian community in New York. The group holds demonstrations against pharmaceutical companies profiteering from AIDS-related drugs as well as the lack of AIDS policies protecting patients from outrageous prescription prices

How did LGBT community organize to push for a cure? March 10, 1987 Larry Kramer forms the group ACT UP AIDS advocacy group ACT UP (The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) is formed in response to the devastating affects the disease has had on the gay and lesbian community in New York. The groups protests are the reason AIDS people are able to prolong their life if diagnosed with HIV. https://youtu.be/phNPdSL7fj4 https://youtu.be/X4ZacAyc4b8 The group holds demonstrations against pharmaceutical companies profiteering from AIDS-related drugs as well as the lack of AIDS policies protecting patients from outrageous prescription prices They have achieved concrete changes in medical and scientific research, insurance, law, health care delivery, graphic design, and introduced new and effective methods for political organizing. These interviews reveal what has motivated them to action and how they have organized complex endeavors. We hope that this information will de-mystify the process of making social change, remind us that change can be made, and help us understand how to do it. (ACT UP continues to fight to end the AIDS epidemic.

https://youtu.be/s8wmqexVJBo https://youtu.be/lW85k1eAL5g

A History of Violence Mathew Sheppard In 1998, two men, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, abducted Shepard and drove him to a remote area where he was tied to a split-rail fence, beaten severely, and left to die in the cold of the night. Shepard died just a few days later on October 12, 1998 at the age of 21. His brutal and gruesome death has become one of the most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in American history and eventually led to the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (2009). https://youtu.be/_vSY7dW0CJs

What was Prop 8? Prop 8, officially titled Proposition 8 - Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry, was a statewide ballot proposition in California. On November 4, 2008, voters approved the measure and made same-sex marriage illegal in California.Jun 2, 2016 Hollingsworth v. Perry refers to a series of United States federal court cases that legalized same-sex marriage in the State of California. The case began in 2009 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, which found that banning same-sex marriage violates equal protection under the law. This decision overturned ballot initiative Proposition 8, which had banned same-sex marriage. After the State of California refused to defend Proposition 8, the official sponsors of Proposition 8 intervened and appealed to the Supreme Court. 

GAYS in the Military? Homosexuality Policies in the Korean War and Vietnam War conflicts.  1982 - Complete Ban of Gays in the Military The Birth of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" 1993 Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell 2010 In December of 2010, the House and Senate voted in favor to repeal the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell.“ During World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, the military defined homosexuality as a mental defect and officially barred homosexuals from serving based on medical criteria. However, when personnel needs increased due to combat, the military developed a habit of relaxing its screening criteria. Many homosexual men and women serviced honorably during these

Marriage Equality Obergefell v. Hodges wins Marriage equality for all 50 states throught Supreme Court June 26, 2015 https://youtu.be/ymrzc7a_LmU

What were/are the main goals of the GLBT movement? Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Trans-gendered Most under-represented group of Americans to present date. Issues: Equal Protection under the law Dispel myths of being socially deviant or being Mentally ill. Equal Access to Government Institutions: Military Service √ Marriage √ Civil Service Jobs Government Services: healthcare, access to adopt children.

Areas in Need of improvement Reducing the violence Including Trans-people Continue being visible in media Changing stereotypes Openly gay athletes in team sports

Lecture Focus Questions Why were gay and lesbian Americans apart of an “invisible Culture?” What were/are the main goals of the GLBT movement? Who was Harvey Milk and how did he become a martyr for the GLBT cause? Why were the Stone Wall Riots a turning point in the GLBT movement? How did the Stonewall Riots inspire the GLBT community to organize?