Gay activism in America

[Rick Munroe]

As we approach Gay Pride Sunday in NYC, here's an interesting history of where we've been and where we're going:

 

Part 1: http://rjr10036.typepad.com/proceed_at_your_own_risk/2006/06/the_myth_of_gay.html

 

Part 2: http://rjr10036.typepad.com/proceed_at_your_own_risk/2006/06/gay_activism_pa.html

 

http://rjr10036.typepad.com/proceed_at_your_own_risk/images/browning01.jpg

[+ Charlie]

Rick, thanks for the link, although the piece turns out to be an editorial rather than a history. Although he makes some excellent points, I think he overemphasizes the importance of civil rights laws; after all, there were civil rights laws for African Americans on the books--even Constitutional amendments--for a century after the Civil War, but they weren't seriously enforced until World War II changed the mindset of a majority of Americans. The effort to change the way people think, IMHO, is more important than focus exclusively on enacting laws, which is why the underfunding of organizations that educate the public on gay issues is so troubling. Nevertheless, I have contributed financially to both kinds of organization for many years, despite the setbacks, because I have seen enormous progress in both areas since my youth in the Eisenhower era.