Introduction
At midnight of 27 June 1969, few New York City police officers raided Stonewall Inn, which was a gay bar in Greenwich Village. A false warrant was served to the bar for selling illegal liquor and customers were asked to leave. This led to an upheaval and many movements, like the feminist supporters and the hippie movement advocating sexual liberation came into being.
Gay Liberation Front
In accordance to the Stonewall documents, the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was formed during this time, which believed that homosexual women and men had the same rights as their straight sisters and brothers. This was the first time that thousands of homosexual people raised their voice in protest to the injustice which existed towards them in New York City. It was formed by an innovative group of people who believed that until and unless the present social establishments are abolished, homosexual men and women will never be able to attain absolute sexual liberty. They wanted to be exactly who they are and if required create new public relations and forms. They believed that since their oppression is due to sex they must properly understand the different sex roles and their meaning. They also believed that every lesbian and homosexual solely survived in misery and not tolerance or patience. Not only was their kindness questioned, but their employment was made tenuous and their choice of housing restricted. They wanted the homosexuals to understand and make others understand that their being homosexual means that they are emotionally attached to their own sex.
The Homophile Youth Movement
The Homophile Youth Movement (HYMN) was also formed during this time, it believed that until, and unless homosexual people themselves took some action, their intolerable situation will not improve. They did not rely on the various government agencies to improve their condition, as they were aware that nothing was being done to help them. They wanted everyone to understand their position.
This understanding was demanded from the authority and society too. Society disapproves such attractions and the authority works in favor of the society thus forming a nexus to oppress the homosexual movement. Thus, when they say things like “oppression,” “freedom,” “revolution,” or “equality,” it means that they want a recognition of their sexual preferences and they demand their rights to be maintained and sustained by the law and the society as a whole. To put it in simple terms, their demand was to be treated as a fellow citizen and not discriminated on the parameters of sexual orientation.
The Student Homophile League Manifesto
As a result, they formulated a strategy. The Student Homophile League Manifesto was one of the most radical manifestos of all times. They believed that homosexuals were harassed to oppress the minorities, like the hippies, blacks and other radicals of society, and make them powerless. They assumed that their fate was also linked to the minorities and only through common struggle could they achieve victory. All the homosexuals and bisexuals supported the young students, hippies, Spanish-Americans, feminists, blacks and other victims of discrimination. They also asked for the support of these groups in return. They declared heterosexual standards to be immoral and demanded equality. They demanded that homosexuals develop their own esthetics and ethics, and consider themselves a part of a better community.
The Manifesto also demanded that all limitations on sex between people of any orientation, sex or age be removed regardless of place and money matters. They also wanted removal of censorship. They also urged the churches to support them and authorize homosexual liaisons between agreeing partners. They did not bother about a clean and good image in the public, but we’re more concerned about the youth. Since it was also the time of the war in Vietnam, they did not support the causes of the war and completely rejected it. They refused to participate in the war and support the war machines which could, in the future, be used against them. They also opposed to obtaining security authorization for the homosexuals as it meant contributing to the machines. This movement continuously engaged in political struggles in all directions. They wanted the homosexuals to see how cruel the society had become toward them.
Conclusion
The actions taken paid off quite well. Carl Wittman indicated in 1969 that due to the action taken it as possible the group consciousness has evolved and he further indicates that in future it would grow and that would be a better world to live in and today we know most of it has come true. The society and the law is much open to this cause of the movement and homosexuals are treated equally as citizen and can exercise the rights of the citizen without fear.
Works Cited
Stonewall Documents; “Homophile Youth Movement Flier”