When Did The Lavender Scare Start?

In the early 1950s, the United States government embarked on a campaign to identify and oust supposed homosexuals from federal employment. This era, known as the Lavender Scare, targeted LGBTQ individuals and devastated careers, families, and lives. But when exactly did it all begin?

The Lavender Scare was sparked by the Red Scare, a period of intense fear and paranoia about communist infiltration in the US government. On April 27, 1950, the federal government established a program called the Loyalty Review Program, which aimed to root out communists and other security risks within its ranks. As loyalty boards began scrutinizing employees’ private lives, investigators discovered that some of them were gay or lesbian.

While homosexuality itself was not illegal, it was seen as a moral failing and a security risk, making LGBTQ individuals vulnerable to blackmail or coercion from foreign agents. The presence of gay men and lesbians within the federal workforce was also seen as a sign of moral decay and a threat to American values.

In March 1952, President Truman signed Executive Order 10450, which barred anyone with “sexual perversion” or “homosexual tendencies” from federal employment. While the order did not explicitly name LGBTQ individuals, it became a powerful tool for rooting out perceived homosexuals. Over the next decade, thousands of LGBTQ people were fired from or denied government jobs, and their names were added to blacklists distributed to other employers.

The Lavender Scare also extended beyond government employment, with private companies and organizations enacting their own anti-gay policies. The FBI and police departments conducted raids on gay bars and enforced strict laws against homosexual activity. And LGBTQ individuals faced social ostracism and violence, with many forced to go underground or live in fear of being outed.

The Lavender Scare officially ended in the 1970s, but its legacy endures. Many LGBTQ individuals lost their livelihoods, reputation, and sense of security, and the impact of the purge on the broader LGBTQ rights movement cannot be overstated. However, the Lavender Scare also gave rise to new forms of activism and solidarity, as LGBTQ individuals and allies fought back against discrimination and fought for their rights. Today, LGBTQ people enjoy greater legal protection and social acceptance, but the fight for equality continues.

In conclusion, the Lavender Scare began in the early 1950s as an extension of the Red Scare, targeting LGBTQ individuals in government and beyond. The legacy of the Lavender Scare continues to impact LGBTQ individuals and the broader community today, but it also spurred new forms of activism and resilience in the face of oppression.

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Last update 2023-12-03. Price and product availability may change.