Hey kids, I am writing a new feature and in my script there is a character who refers to a relative many, many years ago who was persecuted for being homosexual. Does anyone have any knowledge or a source of knowledge of common mistreatment and/or poor treatment of outed gays in the 1930's or 1940's in the USA. Asylums? Shock treatment? Imprisonment? I would assume the worst knowing the not so pretty history of our country but I was looking for specifics to keep my script responsibly accurate. thanks.
Anything Goes : help needed on historical knowledge of homosexuality in the US (like that's not confusing) by Travis Sharp
help needed on historical knowledge of homosexuality in the US (like that's not confusing)
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During that time homosexuality was considered a mental/health disorder but was still a punishable offense to act upon an individual's homosexuality. Asylums, shock treatment, and imprisonment were all things that could happen if you were found guilty in those times. And let's not kid ourselves about what happened in asylums - they were not hospitals so much as they could be centers of torture. It's also important to remember that during this time the United States was still practicing eugenics and it wouldn't surprise me if some people were subjects of experiments. I wish I could remember the name of the documentary I watched some time ago that talked about America's participation in what we normally attribute to Nazi Germany.
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thanks Ana. Yes, yet another wonderful reminder of our shady past and ugliness. Likely not a documentary to watch when you are eating. UGH.
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After Mae West was arrested for writing a gay play (Feb. 9, 1927), The N.Y. State legislature passed a law (March 1927) declaring any homosexual relationship or act depicted onstage or onscreen to be obscene, lewd, and a criminal offense. Moreover, if you openly identified as GAY, you could not join a union in the USA.
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The 1930s had other struggles to contend with like prohibition which is largely contributed to the resurgence of conservative attitudes after the revolution that was the roaring 20s -- free(ish) love being among the practices. Something to consider when writing because the decades leading up to that will leave their mark on your story and characters.
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These are great answers! I'd try reaching out to LGBT centers or doing a search on the net. I'm sure many have written about this topic!
If your story covers the Prohibition Era, keep in mind it ended Dec. 5, 1933 -- with numerous "REPEAL" parties.