In modern America, most people can feel freedom, equality, and the absence of strong pressure from stereotypes and prejudices. Of course, there are also those individuals who continue to discriminate others based on gender, age, or race, as well as infringe upon the representatives of the LGBT community. However, in general, the country has a rather favorable and inclusive atmosphere for diverse people, and it is all thanks to those who have fought for equality and freedom for decades. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the gay and lesbian rights movement of the 1960s and indicate its incredible importance.
This movement gained strength slowly and gradually as people were afraid to openly declare their involvement in or support of the LGBT community. Until the 1970s, homosexuality was defined as a psychiatric disorder, and there was severe and negative pressure on such people (American Experience, n.d.). Despite this fact, the representatives of this community wanted to be accepted, recognized, and allowed to live their lives openly and without shame and fear. Therefore, they decided to fight for their inclusiveness and rights.
In 1965, picketers gathered at Philadelphia Independence Hall to stage their first Reminder Day dedicated to drawing the public’s attention to the lack of civil rights for gay and lesbian persons. A year later, the members of the Mattachine Society (an early U.S. gay rights organization) decided to show their disrespect for the New York Liquor Authority’s prohibition of serving gay patrons in bars (American Experience, n.d.). On April 21, they came to the Julius Bar in Greenwich Village and organized a “Sip-In.” After the members announced their homosexuality, they were immediately refused service but later sued the New York Liquor Authority. According to researchers, the New York City Commission on Human Rights declared that homosexuals had the right to be served (American Experience, n.d.). Therefore, that “Sip-In” became a pivotal moment in the whole movement.
In August of 1966, the actions of LGBT representatives became more furious and decisive. When the management of a 24-hour San Francisco cafeteria called the police to deal with transgender customers, and a police officer pushed one of them, she threw coffee in his face, which resulted in a street riot (Downs, n.d.). The positive outcome was the establishment of the National Transsexual Counseling Unit, which became the first organization in the world to support transgender people (Downs, n.d.). On June 28, 1969, there was a disorder in the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. That event is “credited with reigniting the fire behind America’s modern LGBT rights movement” (American Experience, n.d., para. 14). When the police tried to raid the popular gay bar, it led to a three-day riot with thousands of protestors. That also was the last major gay movement event of the 1960s – a period that will always be remembered as the beginning of the LGBT community’s fight for freedom and acceptance.
It is hard to disagree that the gay and lesbian rights movement of the 1960s played an essential role in the readiness of the whole world to stop discriminating against such people and also the ability of LGBT representatives to accept themselves. It has never been easy for humans to fight for their rights, and today it is just as challenging. However, modern generations should thank those who stopped being afraid of the consequences and decided to act in the 1960s so that they and their children have a better life. Therefore, the main significance of the gay movement of that period is that it proved that it is never pointless to stand up for oneself and try to change others’ mindsets.
References
American Experience. (n.d.). Milestones in the American gay rights movement. PBS. Web.
Downs, J. (n.d.). The gay liberation movement. The Bill of Rights Institute. Web.