Homosexuality
Homosexuality in American society has certainly changed since the 1950's, most obviously in the mainstream media explosion of the homosexual community, along with the growing cultural acceptance of same-sex unions. It is easy to see the cultural influence the homosexual community has on the American public today, with gay pride parades filling the streets of cities throughout the United States, and rainbow buttons or pins adorning the clothing of young people, but how was homosexuality viewed in the fifties? Why don't old photographs exist of couples of the same sex from this era, and furthermore, why was the societal voice of homosexuals in the 1950's so muted?
Homosexuality in the 1950's
Following World War II, and entering the anti-communist era of McCarthyism, a strict image of normalcy was expected from members of the American public. This is perhaps best shown in the image of the "Nuclear Family", which dominated this era. American society lived in fear of anything different, and this included homosexuality. Donald Downs, a homosexual man who attended college during the 1950's recalled the radical closed-minded nature of the time as such, "The only possibility I knew about male-male or female-female sexuality, or anything different was filtered through the whole overlay of the McCarthy era and these terrible fears everybody had" (Plaster).
It was during this period of time that homosexual and bisexual practices first came to be considered medical conditions, and those who participated in sex with members of their own gender were soon though of as biologically different from "normal" heterosexuals ("Brief…"). Even mental health professionals considered homosexuality to be a mental illness, and it was actually categorized as such by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders until 1974 (Plaster). Not only was homosexuality an illness, but many believed that it could be cured (Esterberg). This disease-like mindset towards homosexuality, by both heterosexuals and homosexuals of the time can all be traced back, in some way, to the stigmatization of any deviance from what was considered "normal" or American in the Cold War era (Plaster). Many deeply conflicted homosexual men and women of the 1950's sought out guidance from counselors and mental health professionals, only to be met with misunderstanding and confusion (Plaster).
It was during this period of time that homosexual and bisexual practices first came to be considered medical conditions, and those who participated in sex with members of their own gender were soon though of as biologically different from "normal" heterosexuals ("Brief…"). Even mental health professionals considered homosexuality to be a mental illness, and it was actually categorized as such by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders until 1974 (Plaster). Not only was homosexuality an illness, but many believed that it could be cured (Esterberg). This disease-like mindset towards homosexuality, by both heterosexuals and homosexuals of the time can all be traced back, in some way, to the stigmatization of any deviance from what was considered "normal" or American in the Cold War era (Plaster). Many deeply conflicted homosexual men and women of the 1950's sought out guidance from counselors and mental health professionals, only to be met with misunderstanding and confusion (Plaster).
"I am homosexual and I don't want to be"
-Tom Copeland, 1959
"I only knew that I wanted to be 'normal' like everybody else."
-Jim Humphreys
"BOYS Beware"
Homosexuality in the 1950's continued...
In addition to the public ignorance of homosexuality, an animosity and disdain for homosexuals brewed within many members of society. Homosexuals in 1950's America became the subject of various social injustices, including religious persecution, discrimination in employment, violent acts, and even police brutality (Ford). Police entrapped and abused homosexuals, while news media held an information blackout on all things homosexual (Ford). The public disgust for homosexuality was even approved by President Eisenhower himself in 1953, when he signed a law into effect stating that homosexuality among all federal employees was grounds for the employee to be fired immediately (Ford).
In the 1950's, homosexuality faced many cultural road blocks, ranging from religious condemnation to police brutality. Through this time, homosexuals as a whole were just beginning to grasp their societal identity. Very few opportunities were available for homosexuals to communicate or network openly, and therefore confusion about homosexuality was rampant even among homosexuals.
In the 1950's, homosexuality faced many cultural road blocks, ranging from religious condemnation to police brutality. Through this time, homosexuals as a whole were just beginning to grasp their societal identity. Very few opportunities were available for homosexuals to communicate or network openly, and therefore confusion about homosexuality was rampant even among homosexuals.
Homosexuality Today
Homosexuality in the twenty-first century is an extremely popular issue, and in obvious contrast to the culture of the 1950's, the homosexual community is very visible to the public eye. When peering into the society of the Millennial generation, it is apparent that the societal role of homosexuals has changed immensely since the fifties, and that the homosexual community is beginning to gain some political ground in America. This shift in public presence can mainly be attributed to the gradually increasing amount of Millennial men and women who are "coming out of the closet" (Ford). With this relatively recent publicity of homosexuals everywhere, the social climate surrounding human sexuality is changing ("Brief…"). Just in the past decade, 11 countries have recognized same-sex unions as legally equivalent to traditional marriages (Perrin). The United States, however, seems to be trailing behind many other countries when it comes to equal legal opportunities for same-sex couples. The most obvious example being that the majority of the 50 states prohibit the recognition of a same-gender marriage by law (Perrin). This hold on same-sex unions in America stems back to moral conflicts associated with homosexuality, and ultimately, public disagreement behind the cause of homosexuality.
What Causes Homosexuality?
The cause behind one's attraction to the same sex has been guessed at for many years, and answers thus far have stretched from satanic influences all the way to mental illness. Since the 1950's, several theories have been produced, which speculate as to the root of homosexuality. Theories on gay brain structure differences, homosexual family inheritance, birth order, nature vs. nurture, and most recently, the "Gay Gene" ("Brief…"). None of these educated guesses have any conclusive findings behind them, mainly because it is now known that many individuals will not precisely fit into the category of "gay" or "straight" ("Brief…"). It is now understood that sexual expression changes over time, and that human sexuality possesses a dynamic fluidity, which is molded by a myriad of experiences and encounters throughout a lifetime ("Brief…").
Public inTolerance
With this superior understanding of human sexuality, and with over 2 million American children being raised by at least one openly homosexual parent, one would assume that tolerance would not be an issue in American society (Perrin). Yet, even in the educated society of today, it is easy to find hatred and disdain towards members of the homosexual community. In many respects, life has not become easy for a member of the Millennial gay community. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, violence against gays, and the destruction of gay property is on the rise in some parts of America (Ford). Acts of oppression against gays, as well as lifestyle disagreements with members of many religious organizations may continue to hold homosexuals back in Millennial America.
Cultural Implications
Comparing and contrasting the cultural differences between two generations in regards to homosexuality may seem a like mundane task, however, the cultural implications of the acceptance of homosexuality within American society may possess greater meaning than what is visible on the surface. It is easy to see that the argument for the place of sexuality in the world stems from the desire to be with someone, and in the place of the homosexual or bisexual, it may be with someone of the same sex. Pairing with a mate, would traditionally bring about children, and therefore, a family. However, with same-sex couples, adoptions or other means are necessary to produce children, or a family. The family is the basic cell of society, a building block in the architecture of the whole. The values and morals of the family will dictate the values of the society of the time, and children raised within the family will pass down the societal morals their piers promote, ultimately shaping the culture of the time. This is why looking at homosexuality, an obvious change in American family structure, is so crucial.
Homosexuals in the 1950's were afraid to be anything different than what they were raised to be, because the society and families of the time prohibited anything out of the norm. The era of McCarthyism brainwashed families to strive towards the ideal American lifestyle, and when the so called "Nuclear Family" is examined, it is easy to see that Americans of the time were determined to emulate this image. However, in the Millennial generation, McCarthyism and the ideal American family are only reminders of a radically different time. As the values of our culture shift to accept the homosexual lifestyle, special attention must be paid to the children raised under the influence of homosexual parents as well as those raised in close contact with couples of the same sex.
Until recently, I was fairly uncommon to see two gay men raising a child, while families with lesbian parents became quite populous (Perrin). However, in recent years, homosexual men have been caring for more and more children in America, bringing the total amount of children raised by a homosexual parent past 2 million (Perrin). With a large population of children raised under gay parents, it is vitally important to evaluate how these children are developing, and how American society will be shaped in years to come. Will homosexuality in the family change America for the better, or worse?
Many studies in the past three decades have been dedicated entirely to the psychological assessment of children raised by gay or lesbian parents, and findings from the data produced by these studies will make it possible to see if homosexual parenting is detrimental to the children raised in these non-traditional families (Perrin). Many of these studies note that a family's social and economic resources, in addition to the quality of relationships between members of the family are far more important variables than the sexual orientation of the parents, when observing the development and well-being of the child (Perrin). In addition to these notations, a large body of scientific literature demonstrates that children raised by homosexual parents fare just as well as children raised in traditional families when comparing emotional, cognitive, social, and sexual function (Perrin). These studies would go on to conclude that most children raised by gay or lesbian parents are developmentally and socially well adjusted to the world, but that the social stigma placed upon those whose parents are homosexual negatively effects them more than the sexual preference of their parents ever would (Perrin). Although every case is different, it is apparent that if children are raised by loving and dedicated parents, no matter the sexual orientation, they will be able to function perfectly in the society of the Millennial generation. Thus, one could conclude that although the basic cell of society is visibly being altered, the values of society will, for the most part, remain the same.
Homosexuals in the 1950's were afraid to be anything different than what they were raised to be, because the society and families of the time prohibited anything out of the norm. The era of McCarthyism brainwashed families to strive towards the ideal American lifestyle, and when the so called "Nuclear Family" is examined, it is easy to see that Americans of the time were determined to emulate this image. However, in the Millennial generation, McCarthyism and the ideal American family are only reminders of a radically different time. As the values of our culture shift to accept the homosexual lifestyle, special attention must be paid to the children raised under the influence of homosexual parents as well as those raised in close contact with couples of the same sex.
Until recently, I was fairly uncommon to see two gay men raising a child, while families with lesbian parents became quite populous (Perrin). However, in recent years, homosexual men have been caring for more and more children in America, bringing the total amount of children raised by a homosexual parent past 2 million (Perrin). With a large population of children raised under gay parents, it is vitally important to evaluate how these children are developing, and how American society will be shaped in years to come. Will homosexuality in the family change America for the better, or worse?
Many studies in the past three decades have been dedicated entirely to the psychological assessment of children raised by gay or lesbian parents, and findings from the data produced by these studies will make it possible to see if homosexual parenting is detrimental to the children raised in these non-traditional families (Perrin). Many of these studies note that a family's social and economic resources, in addition to the quality of relationships between members of the family are far more important variables than the sexual orientation of the parents, when observing the development and well-being of the child (Perrin). In addition to these notations, a large body of scientific literature demonstrates that children raised by homosexual parents fare just as well as children raised in traditional families when comparing emotional, cognitive, social, and sexual function (Perrin). These studies would go on to conclude that most children raised by gay or lesbian parents are developmentally and socially well adjusted to the world, but that the social stigma placed upon those whose parents are homosexual negatively effects them more than the sexual preference of their parents ever would (Perrin). Although every case is different, it is apparent that if children are raised by loving and dedicated parents, no matter the sexual orientation, they will be able to function perfectly in the society of the Millennial generation. Thus, one could conclude that although the basic cell of society is visibly being altered, the values of society will, for the most part, remain the same.