Gay Today - June 26
Oh Life!
On this day in 1964, Life magazine did a 14-page article titled “Homosexuality in America.” It referred to the “gay world” as sad and sordid, and presented promiscuity, leather bars, and S & M as typical of the gay experience.
It’s hard to imagine a US before “Will & Grace” and “Queer Eye” and Ellen. But one did exist, and it was a much darker, more dangerous place for GLBT individuals. Just look at this text from the article:
Homosexuality shears across the spectrum of American life — the professions, the arts, business and labor. It always has. But today, especially in big cities, homosexuals are discarding their furtive ways and openly admitting, even flaunting, their deviation. Homosexuals have their own drinking places, their special assignation streets, even their own organizations. And for every obvious homosexual, there are probably nine nearly impossible to detect. This social disorder, which society tries to suppress, has forced itself into the public eye because it does present a problem — and parents especially are concerned. The myth and misconception with which homosexuality has so long been clothed must be cleared away, not to condone it but to cope with it.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
I remember this article very, very well. I was in high school at the time and read it at a drug store magazine rack, absolutely terrified someone would notice what I was reading. It was the first time I ever remember seeing the word “homosexual” written in a magazine and I was as fascinated as I was horrifed. There were grainy photos of guys in puffy sweaters, and guy supposed cruising in a park in Los Angeles (I think it was). A few years ago I emntioned the article to a gay friend about my age and he said he remembered it vividly, as well. Yes–very much a different time, a different society. Though those attitudes are still in place in much of the U.S., for all the enormous strides we’ve made.
June 26th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Well, we can see that some have learned to “cope” better than others. It certainly was a fear-based article (Beware the ones nearly impossible to detect!). Interesting to see that conservative Christians and followers of Judaism are only about 43 years behind the times.
June 26th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Hola, me llamo Javier y soy de Pontevedra (España), leo atentamente todo lo que en esta pagina se dice y comenta acerca de la condicion de gay, y me alegra que en ese otro lado del mundo tambien la gente luche por sus derechos, que tienen que ser iguales a los del resto de las personas. Veo con tristeza lo dificil que resulta en algunos paises mostrarse tal y como uno es, sin tener que esconderse de nada ni de nadie. Aqui en España donde desde hace tiempo tenemos los mismos derechos sea cual sea nuestra condición sexual y a unos dias del EUROPRIDE MADRID 2007, entiendo perfectamente el lema de este año “AHORA EUROPA, LA IGUALDAD ES POSIBLE”, pero para eso tenemos que luchar en muchas direcciones y aunque veo con preocupación lo dificil que puede ser en algunos sitios, se que la unión de todos puede hacer que pronto todo esto solo sea un mal sueño.Gracias por buestra web y os damos la nuestra para lo que vosotros necesiteis.Un beso.
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:16 am
Speaking of an inability to cope - Life Magazine ceased publication in March!
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/business/media/27life.html?ex=1332648000&en=fe79daa757acf307&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss