The Homosexual Rights Movement in the United States

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Abstract
In this short account, the homosexual rights movement in the United States, traditionally overlooked by historians, is presented as a minority movement. References are made to the European origins and the early efforts in America. The author sees eight stages in the growth of the movement. In Stage 1, form 1908 through 1945, there were sporadic individual attempts to defend the rights of homosexual men and women. In the years immediately following World War II, Stage 2 witnessed the dawning of a minority consciousness among gay people living in the cities. Stage 3, form 1950-1952, represented a search for identity. During the years 1952-1953, Stage 4, righteous indignation flared up within the movement. In stage 5, from 1953-1960, the movement emphasized information and educational approaches. The decade of the sixties, Stage 6, brought civil-rights activism to the homophile movement. In Stage 7, beginning in 1969, gay liberation emerged. Finally in Stage 8 (1973-1979), the movement and the government responded to each other through institutional channels. The 1970's ended with tow major confrontations, giving the decade of 1969 to 1979 a unity and sense of accomplishment.

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