RC
Articles
BB Network
BB eBooks
Lifted Hearts Links
NetworkOur
eBooks
Female to Female: The Ultimate
Guide to Lesbian Sex
Man to Man: The Ultimate
Guide to Gay Sex
Cunnilingus Academy: Curl her toes
with these tips and techniques
The Big eBook
of Gay and Lesbian Poetry
The Gay Man's Guide
to Getting Laid
How to Have a Successful
Same-Sex Relationship
Proud
member of
the
Network |
- |
The Rainbow Clause:
Giving us the right to choose who; where; when; why; and how.
The History of the Gay Rights Movement
While it may seem like the gay rights movement
has surfaced only in recent times, it has been boiling and seething under
the surface for most of the history of the United States - and with as much
fervor and passion that you see from activists today. The only difference
with yesterday's movements and those of today is that most movements were
forced underground in the early years, or had to fight for different rights
that were not full on gay topics.
One of the best examples of this is the women's
suffrage movement that took place in this country in the late 1800s and early
1900s. While you won't see it printed in any school text book, many of the
leaders of the movement that our children are taught to admire for their
courage and tenacity were, in fact, lesbians. One of the most recognizable
names is Susan B. Anthony. She was a lifelong spinster who was known for
developing long-lasting, close relationships with women. No, she was not
publicly gay, but many of the women with whom she chose to spend time with
were. In fact, Anthony's own niece, Lucy Anthony, had an intimate life
partnership with another National American Women's Suffrage Association
president, Anna Howard Shaw. So, was Anthony gay? My educated guess says
yes.
Then, in 1924 the first full-on gay rights movement
was established. It was called the Chicago Society for Human Rights and found
its inspiration from similar movements taking place in Germany. While the
movement did not last long before it was shut down by the local police, it
planted the seed.
After World War II, movements again surfaced
and this time in greater number. During this time the Mattachine Society,
the Daughters of Bilitis and One, Inc. were formed. A scandalous book entitled
"Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" written by Alfred Kinsey was also making
people think about sexuality and homosexuality during this time. In his book,
Kinsey claimed that 10 percent of males and 5 percent of females would have
a homosexual experience in their lifetime. These findings were a shock and
a major eye opener.
During the "Sexual Revolution" of the 60s, gays
and lesbians began to make their presence publicly known through the migration
of their numbers in masses to gay communities in certain cities. Gay bars
were built and a sense of gay identity and solidarity was born. But still,
social acceptance and social equality were elusive dreams.
The first wind of change occurred in 1962 when
Illinois became the first state to invalidate their sodomy law. Other states
followed but the movement was progressing at a slow, disheartening pace.
Then, in 1969, unable to sit back and take it any longer, the gay community
organized on a large scale which resulted in the Stonewall riots.
After the riots, groups such as the Gay Liberation
Front, Gay Activists' Alliance, and Gay Manifesto were created and gays
experienced more political power than they had ever had before. In fact,
the large number of gays living in San Francisco with political clout was
able to get Harvey Milk, a gay man, elected to the city board or city council.
Unfortunately, Milk was assassinated in 1978, along with the city's mayor,
George Moscone. But the gay community did not take that assault sitting down.
On October 14, 1979, the first gay rights march descended on Washington DC
with an astounding 100,000 people making their presence and views on equality
known.
Please see the article, The Gay Rights
Movement
Today
Back
to Articles |
