Gay and Lesbian Rights Movement Laura Bozzi Sydney
Gay and Lesbian Rights Movement Laura Bozzi, Sydney Parker, Allie Tabakin, Monica Tshanakas
Beginnings of the Movement • • Groups supporting gay rights appeared after WWII They emphasized: – Using the term “homosexual” – Love over sex • • Referred to their cause as the Homophile movement One, Inc. was the first public homosexual organization formed – By the late 1960 s, many other organizations were founded for gay rights. • The Roman Catholic Church disapproved of homosexuality and made it scandalous.
Modern Gay Rights Movement • • • Believed to have begun officially in 1965 when homosexuals marched in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Direct action was also taken in 1966 when transgender prostitutes rioted against harassing police in San Francisco. – Underground police violence towards homosexuals increased. Gay Subculture continued to thrive.
Modern Gay Rights Movement • Black Power and Anti-War movements inspired a more radical approach of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community (LGBT) • Stonewall Riots of 1969 – a series of violent conflicts between LGBT people and New York City police officers – People had never before acted together in such large numbers to forcibly resist police harassment directed towards their community – Many also credit the events as igniting a movement to celebrate gay pride with events such as pride parades and dyke marches
Modern Gay Rights Movement • Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and the Gay Activists' Alliance (GAA) were formed immediately after Stonewall • The GLF’s "A Gay Manifesto" set out the aims for the fledgling gay liberation movement – Influential intellectual Paul Goodman published “The Politics of Being Queer” (1969)
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