Homosexuals, 1973-80: How Far Had Lives Improved

Question 1

Legal/State Rights

Limitations

Answer 1

Title VII of Civil Rights Act (1964) included sex, but not sexuality
**Homosexuality illegal **(rarely prosecuted) in many states

Question 2

Legal/State Rights

Progress

Answer 2

1974 - American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from psychological disorders
San Fran passed ordinance banning employment discrimination (1972, NYC in 1979)
Repealed discriminatory laws in Miami, Florida; St Paul, Minnesota; and Wichita, Kansas

Question 3

LGBT+ Consciousness

Impact of Stonewall

Answer 3

Led to growing pride + political militancy
More marches, newspapers, magazines, bars etc

Question 4

LGBT+ Consciousness

Organisations

Answer 4

1973, almost 800 across US
**New York Gay Liberation Front (1970) **- urged gays to come out
Castro in San Fran a totally homosexual community

Question 5

Social Attitudes

Political Shifts

Answer 5

1973 - NOW endorsed homosexual rights
1980 - Democratic party platform supported equality for all

Question 6

Social Attitudes

Elections

Answer 6

Election of George Moscone (San Fran, 1975) partly due to endorsement from homosexual community
Harvey Milk as city supervisor (San Fran, 1977) but assassinated for his sexual orientation in 1978

Question 7

Social Attitudes

Limitations

Answer 7

1977-8 - Baptist ministers Jerry Falwell + Tim LaHaye successfully battled against Miami pro-gay rights ordinance
Media unsympathetic, public debates
1980 - millions in closet, feared repercussions of coming out