Lect 14B: LGBTQ

Wrapping up examinations of civil rights movements.
Series of lectures focusing on different elements:
- Racial equality
- Women's liberation
- LGBTQ+ movement.
Marginalized and underrepresented groups still struggle for equality and equity.

LGBTQ+ community has a long history dating back to the ancient world.
Presence in every civilization and society.
- Examples of multiple genders, homosexuality, transgender individuals.
Not a new concept or phenomenon.

Strong LGBTQ+ presence in most societies.
Multiple genders in many communities.
- Beyond typical male/female options.
- Third and fourth genders exist.
- India: Hijra (biological males who dress and act as females).
- Long history of acceptance, even honored in some ways.
Homosexuality in ancient Greece.
- Hyper-masculine military societies with prominent homosexual culture.
- Sparta: Warrior society where men often had love relationships with other males.
- Married to procreate but love relationships with other men.
Japanese samurai: Similar dynamics.
- Letters and poems expressing love for male partners.

Two-spirited individuals: Term for transgender community within Native American tribes.
Room for multiple genders.
Gender roles divided more equally compared to Western society.
Two-spirited individuals:
- Suspected at a young age through a series of tests.
- Leaders and family members determine if the child should live as the opposite gender.
- Accepted, seen as gifted and spiritually connected.
- Often healers and advisors.

Occurred in the 11th and 12th centuries in the Western world.
Catholic Church began to criminalize sexuality in general.
- Strict restrictions on sexual activity, even for married couples.
LGBTQ+ community became a major target.
Secrecy around LGBTQ+ identities and activities.
Taboo and criminalization led to groups going underground.

Examples of LGBTQ+ people in US history dating back to the colonial period.
Hidden and underground existence.
T. Hall in Jamestown (1629):
- Intersex individual who switched between male and female roles.
- Court case to determine their sex.
Eleanor Roosevelt: Speculation about having a female lover.
Frank Kameny and the Lavender Scare (Cold War era).

1950: US Congress report: "The Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government."
- Homosexuality declared a mental illness and a security risk.
1950: Founding of the Mattachine Society in Los Angeles by Harry Hay.
- One of the first sustained gay rights groups in the US.
- Focused on social acceptance and social equality.
1952: American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality as a sociopathic personality disturbance.
- LGBTQ+ individuals were sent to doctors and camps to be "fixed."
1987: Homosexuality removed from the list of mental disorders.
1953: Executive Order 10450 (Eisenhower): Banned homosexuals from working for the federal government.

June 27-29: Stonewall Inn, Greenwich Village, New York City.
Police raids on gay bars led to resistance and protests.
Over 400 people, including LGBTQ+ and straight allies, protested harassment of the gay community.
Defining moment for the gay rights movement.
Key figures emerged from the riots.

Lavender scare continued, claiming LGBTQ+ individuals were a security risk.
1993: President Bill Clinton replaced the ban with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
- Allowed LGBTQ+ individuals to work for the federal government but required them to remain closeted.
1955: Founding of the Daughters of Bilitis (lesbian rights organization) by Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin in San Francisco.
- Hosted private social events for LGBTQ+ women.
- Faced fear of police raids, violence, and discrimination.
- Lasted until 1969.

Illinois decriminalized homosexual acts between consenting adults in private.
1966: Compton's Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco.
- Transgender individuals and drag queens protested police harassment.
- Led to the establishment of the National Transsexual Counseling Unit.

Formed in New York.
Dissatisfied with the direction of the Gay Liberation Front.
Focused on political rights and political equality.
- Eliminating discrimination in employment, housing, etc.
- Securing basic human rights and dignity for the LGBTQ+ community.

First gay pride marches held on the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots (June).
Marches in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and other cities.
Celebration of LGBTQ+ culture.
Sylvia Rivera, Seymore Pine, and others shared their stories.

Lavender Menace:
- Betty Friedan (1969) described lesbian women as a threat to the feminist movement.
- Led to lesbian feminists forming their own movements.
1977: Harvey Milk elected as a county supervisor in San Francisco.
- Third openly out elected public official in the US.
1978: Harvey Milk assassinated by a fellow supervisor, Dan White.
- Significant advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
1978: First appearance of the Rainbow flag at the Gay Freedom Parade.
- Created by Gilbert Baker.
- Symbol of the LGBTQ+ movement and pride.
1979: National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
- 100,000 people attended in support.

Became associated with the gay community.
Dominated discussions about LGBTQ+ issues.
1983: Sally Ride:
- First woman in space.
- Lesbian.
1994: Greg Louganis:
- Four-time Olympic gold medalist (diving).
- Publicly came out.
- Wrote a book about his experiences as a gay athlete (Breaking the Surface).

1997: Ellen DeGeneres:
- Came out on her sitcom, impacting her career.
- Made a comeback and became successful.
1998: Matthew Shepard:
- Hate crime against a gay college student.
- Led to the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (2009).
- The Laramie Project: A film about Matthew Shepard's story.
2008: Proposition 8 in California:
- Banned same-sex marriage in the state.
2015: Obergefell v. Hodges:
- Supreme Court decision (5-4) guaranteed the fundamental right to marry to same-sex couples.
- Based on the 14th Amendment.
- Mandated that all states must follow the decision.