“The Gay Liberation Movement”

John D’Emilio

Origins of Gay Liberation Movement

Stonewall Inn Raid: June 27, 1969(Freeman: Crisis)

StoneWall Riot: Sparked Gay Organizing: Draws on New Left

Word of the riot spread rapidly through New Left networks of young radicals. Within a year, GL was a national movement.

Origins of Gay Liberation Movement

Gay Liberation and New LeftNew Left community provided a network within which GL

could take root.

GL adopted both the tactics and analysis of the NL, and applied them to the oppression of homosexuals and lesbians. (Freeman: co-optable comm. network)

Origins of Gay Liberation Movement

GL incorporated into New Left EventsGL contingents at anti-war ralliesGL ran workshops at Nat. Student Assoc (which

helped launch SDS)

Attended Black Panther gatherings in 1970. Gay “Tribe” attended 1971 May Day Protest.

Origins of Gay Liberation Movement

GL and NL shared a Political Perspective“GL spoke of liberation from oppression, resisting

genocide, and making revolution against ‘imperialist Amerika.’” (33)

GL used much more radical Tactics than Homophile Movement.

Origins of Gay Liberation Movement

Coming Out as an Organizing StrategyThe longevity of GL even after the NL faded was due in

part to two factors:

1) Politicizing “Coming Out”2) Lesbian Movement