‘The Forgotten LGBT Pioneers’

‘The Forgotten LGBT Pioneers of 1956’

By Simon Hall

This article focusses on the hidden underlying work of people who tried to ‘integrate homosexuals into society’. This work focusses heavily on the monthly magazine ‘The Ladder’, the ‘official’ monthly magazine of the ‘Daughters of Bilitis’ organisation. The Daughters of Bilitis were the first lesbian rights organisation in America.

Within the article, the Daughters of Bilitis were suggested to have been a positive influence in American society. They aimed to “educate the public and challenge ‘erroneous conceptions, taboos and prejudices’ about homosexuality”.[1] They were not particularly radical, as they reflected on how their behaviour could help integrate them into society. They heavily focussed on “middle class respectability and integration”.[2] Therefore, when they released their magazine the Ladder, it appeared particularly risky at the time.

The first edition of the magazine included features such as ‘What Are You Afraid Of?’ and the ‘President’s message’.[3] These included a debate on lesbian’s fears, as well as encouraging homosexuals so have the same determination as seen in other female pioneers.[4]

This article is an important piece of work, primarily because of the topic that it surrounds. It can sometimes be seen that the early history of the struggle for homosexual rights, has almost been forgotten. As early as 1924, early initiatives included pamphlets including ‘Friendship and Freedom’ by Henry Gerber, Chicago.[5] In addition, the firs gay rights organisation was founded in 1950 by activist Harry Hay.[6] This was set up to “eliminate discrimination, derision, prejudice and bigotry”.[7] Moreover, within America, homosexuals have faced a lot of discrimination in their own history. For example, President Eisenhower had signed the executive order in 1950, ‘banning homosexuals from working for the federal government’.[8] 

Today, the LGBT community and their campaigning for equal rights is widely known. From this, there has emerged charities such as the LGBT Foundation. Advocating for the equal rights and opportunities for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders, this is an inclusive charity that seeks to ensure that the voices of the LGBT community are heard and that their needs are met.

Therefore, it is understandable as to why both this article and the LGBT movement are so important. In recent history, we have seen some of the biggest milestones, such as the equal marriage in the United States. However, we have also witnessed some of the biggest tragedies surrounding the LGBT community, such as the Orlando shooting. LGBT rights is still an ongoing movement globally, and their influence is so widely spread both within America and the world.

Sources:

https://lgbt.foundation/about/

http://www.baas.ac.uk/usso/the-forgotten-lgbt-pioneers-of-1956/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/stonewall/

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[1] http://www.baas.ac.uk/usso/the-forgotten-lgbt-pioneers-of-1956/

[2] http://www.baas.ac.uk/usso/the-forgotten-lgbt-pioneers-of-1956/

[3] http://www.baas.ac.uk/usso/the-forgotten-lgbt-pioneers-of-1956/

[4] http://www.baas.ac.uk/usso/the-forgotten-lgbt-pioneers-of-1956/

[5] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/stonewall/

[6] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/stonewall/

[7] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/stonewall/

[8] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/stonewall/