HIST 103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 36: Blood Transfusion, Cross-Dressing, Gay Bar
Document Summary
1920s and 1930s: homosexual was polite and medical term, changes over time. Nyc (urban center) popular for gay population because it is filled with strangers, better anonymity. Way to escape scrutiny from small towns. In theater: gay individuals are often made fun of. Audience of plays are more cosmopolitan than the average population of people who go to movies-- can handle more mature themes. Movies banned from presenting gay individuals in a positive way. Reactions of people guided by these stereotypes. Hard to fight stereotypes because is very strong. Easier to hide gayness -- being in the closet -- act normal and avoid trouble but can"t be positive force in movement. Homosexuality put in dsm as a mental illness-- activists fought this. Bottom of 359: public image is not positive or negative: regular person . But because of newspapers: sinister, against law, mental illness --> hard to get allies.
