Gay Activism After The 1950's

Gay and Lesbian Activism After the 1950s

In the aftermath of World War II, the United States underwent profound transformations, not only in its economy but also in its pursuit of social reform. Industries were undergoing transformative changes and scientific discoveries were being made. After having viewed same-sex relations as a mental disorder for many years, Americans began to shift their perspectives, given the new scientific advancements that were being made. Following WWII, same-sex relations garnered greater attention in the United States than ever before which enabled, enabling LGBTQ individuals to congregate and form communities, to initiate the call for policy changes, and to change the definition of what being gay meant in a political

Consequently, LGBTQ individuals were able to were able to congregate and form more socially acceptable organizations, that were considered more socially acceptable compared toin comparison to the pre-1950s era. These developments served as a foundation for raising public awareness about the LGBTQ community in the United StatesU.S. The Stonewall riot occurred during a periodat a point in time when many Americans were increasingly curious about same-sex attraction and actively sought out information on the topic. The riot, which took place on June 28, 1969, served as a critical catalyst following a series of prior public confrontations. The event startedbegan as a routine raid on the Stonewall bar, however crowds gathered outside the bar and overwhelmed the police, until the officers barricaded themselves inside for protection. As more police officers arrived, so did more LGBTQ community members. One of the men who was at the riot, Mark Segal, described it as “one of the greatest nights in history for gay people.” As it was the first instance of such large-scale resistance by members of the LGBTQ community against the police force, news of the event spread throughout the country within a matter of days. LGBTQ individuals and the Mattachine society, a national gay rights association in the United States, members used the momentum the rriot created and posted flyers across New York City on July 24, 1969. The display of solidarity atduring the Stonewall Riot provided LGBTQ individuals with a sense of reassurance that there were others within and beyond their community who shared their fervor for equality. This increased their enthusiasm to participate in public meetings and gatherings specifically tailored for LGBTQ individuals. The captivating