The Bonds of Oppression: Gay Life in the 1950s

This weeks articles look at the 1950's LGBT life in America. The growing threat of communism around the world (specifically the Soviet Union) to the US had a substancial impact on the public's opinions of their safety. After previously defeating Nazi Germany and their alies in WWI, the American government was prepared to take a stand against anyone who posed a threat to them. Somehow with the public's attitudes, theories, religious views, and laws established to penalize homosexuals; homosexuals were also included in the anticommunist movement in America.

The government took action against homosexuals first by declaring that they were a threat to the nation's safety, and began raids within the government to expel anyone who identified them self as gay. John D' Emilio the author of this article writes, "Even one 'sex pervert in a Government agency,' the committee warned, tends to have a corrosive influence upon his fellow employees. These perverts will frequently attempt to entice normal individuals to engage in perverted practices. This is particularly true in the case of young impressionable people who might come under the influence of a pervert. . . . One homosexual can pollute a Government office" (42). Another radical idea the government believed was that homosexuals were not mature or stable enough to resist communism or communist spys. From 1947 to 1950 on average there was a dismissal of five homosexuals a month from the executive branch alone. In the next year this statistic grew to more than 60 people a month. Also the military discharged about 1,000 homosexuals a year during this time. It was a rough time for LGBT people, as Emilio says, "The mounting terror as a  witchhunt spread, the assault on on'es self-esteem, and the expectation of permanent stigmatization tested even the sturdiest" (45). The raids within the government were brutal, but the government thought they needed to increase their efforts so they turned to the police.

The FBI established connections within police departments all over America. They gathered data on places such as gay bars, and looked up records of citizens whom were charged with homosexual offenses. In addition, the post office even became involved. "A professor in Maryland and an employee of the Pennsylvania department of highways, for example, lost their jobs after the Post Office revealed to their employers that the men received mail implicating them in homosexual activity" (Emilio 47). This homophobic movement in America allowed for the harassment of the LGBT community. It was hard for LGBT people to go out, have relationships, etc. They lived in fear of being arrested or losing their jobs because of their sexual identity. Emilio says, "In a strange twist, the individuals most in need of protection had become the target of the police" (51).

It is interesting how much influence the government had during that time. I also think its amazing how fearful the government was from anything "different" such as a homosexual; and how they immediately associated LGBT people with communism. It's unfortunate that the dominate view on homosexuals had to be so negative back in the 50's because I believe that has impacted the future's view on LGBT.