Topics on the Page
Summary of the Lavender Scare
Primary Sources
Multimedia Resources
Frank Kamney and Barbara Gittings, Gay Rights Activists
U.S. History Cross-Links
What is McCarthyism? And How Did It Happen?
Event Summary
Commonly referred to as the fraternal twin of the Cold-War era Red Scare, the Lavender Scare was arguably more vicious and impactful.
- Targeting members of the LGBTQ+ community, widespread homophobia in the U.S. government led to the firing of thousands of state department employees and an overall intolerance for non-heterosexual people in the workforce.
- Through documented evidence of employment discrimination a well as rhetoric across media channels, we can see that homophobia was fed by the anxiety surrounding the Cold War, and that LGBTQ+ people have faced stigmas, harassment, and institutionalized discrimination throughout US history.
Executive Order 10450: Security Requirements for Government Employment (April 27, 1953)
The Lavender Scare: The History You Didn't Learn
- I included this Youtube video about the Lavender Scare, which is when people were fired for being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. I included this because it is a very interesting video that tells personal stories from people who lived during the Lavender Scare. Because of this, I think it would be really engaging for students to watch. I also think it is important to include this resource because many people might not associate McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare with the LGBTQ+ community. This is a more unknown history that does not get told enough, so this video would be very educational for students (Jenna Boyer, April 2022).
For an overview of the Lavender Scare, link to this Wikipedia Page.
The Lavender Scare from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
The Lavender Scare: Gay and Lesbian Life in Post- WWII America
Kicked Out of the Air Force for Being Gay, Helen Grace James Wins Honorable Discharge, NPR (January 20, 2018)
Paper published in Western Illinois Historical Review on the Persecution of Lesbianism during the Cold War
Sketchnote by Isabella Koutsantanou (April 2020)
Primary Sources
For more background, go to this Lavender Scare article from the National Archives that includes primary sources and photographs.
For a Government Analysis of the Lavender Scare and the reasons behind it click here.
Employment of Homosexuals and other Sex Perverts in Government, 1950
Documented Evidence of Employment Discrimination & Its Effect on LGBT People, University of California School of Law (July 2011)
Transcript of Congressional Record from House of Representatives, 1950
1960s CBS Documentary Clip "The Homosexuals" from Mike Wallace that gives an idea of the general public opinion of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly gay men.
State Department Apologizes for the Lavender Scare: In January 2017, outgoing Secretary of State John Kerry issued a formal apology to the LGBTQ+ community for decades of discrimination from the State Department
Multimedia Resources
Lavender Scare Film Trailer
The Lavender Scare Videos on Vimeo
See also The 60th Anniversary of the Lavender Scare from Human Rights Campaign
The Second Red Scare's Fraternal Twin, Book Review of The Lavender Scare: The Cold War Persecution of Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Government, David K. Johnson (University of Chicago Press)
Frank Kamney, and Barbara Gittings, Gay Rights Activists
Frank Kamney, 2010
Frank Kamney
Frank Kameny: Gay Rights Pioneer Who Took on the U.S. Government from Independent (October 23, 2011)
- For a full autobiographical interview with Frank Kameny watch this video.
- Video about the Lavender Scare, highlighting the work of Frank Kameny from CBS News.
Frank Kamney from LGBT History month
Franklin Kamney, Gay Rights Pioneer, Dies at 86, New York Times, October 12, 2011
Frank Kamney, Fought to End Discrimination in the Federal Workforce, to be Honored with Induction in Labor Hall of Fame from the United States Department of Labor
Artifact Walls: Frank Kamney, National Museum of American History.
See also Remembering Frank Kamney: Civil Rights Pioneer also from National Museum of American History
Excerpts from an Interview with Frank Kameny discussing his life and work
Barbara Gittings
Barbara Gittings (2006)
Barbara Gittings Canva Poster by Tyler Volpe-Knock (March 2020)
Biography
Obituary. Barbara Gittings, 74, Prominent Gay Rights Activist since '50s, Dies, New York Times, May 15, 2007
Barbara Gittings from LGBT History Month
Barbara Gittings Lesson Plans from the Legacy Project
Today
The Long Road to Marriage Equality, a New York Times opinion piece that gives an overview of the history of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, and discusses the Lavender Scare
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