A Minority's Plea: U.S. Homosexuals Gain in Trying to Persuade Society to Accept Them

Charles Alverson's article was written in 1968, it is an overview of the actions that America's LGBT community had been taking to create equality for themselves. Specifically, Alverson says "Homosexuals in many instances are boldly challenging the right of others to make them second-class citizens. With growing support from heterosexuals, they are fighting discrimination on legal, economic and social fronts" (361). Alverson talks about the Mattachine Society which we read about previously and the actions they took in New York city such as, complaining to the city's Human Rights Commission about discrimination in the work place. They were successful, in 1967 employers stopped asking their employees about their sexuality or sexual preferences. Another action the Mattachine Society took was having a "sit it" at a bar that posted a sign that said "If You're Gay, Stay Away", since there was no law saying bars could not serve homosexuals. Finally this article talks about Mr Wentworth, who worked as an electronics technician at a private research lab. He was accused for committing sexual acts and having sexual relations with another man, and instead of quitting his job he fought the charges. Overall, Alverson's article was an overview of what was going on during the late 1960's for LGBT.