Mattachine Society Of Fools: The Gay Rights Movement

Before World War II with high tensions and lurking dangers gay men in New York had to be careful about exposing about their sexuality, so they adopted a way to sign to others like them: wearing red neckties. This was referred to as flagging, and was not the only way those within the gay community used clothing and items to safely express their sexuality. Lesbian women would often gift those they were courting with violets, and men in England during the Victorian era would pin green carnations to their lapels. While their were those who were more bold in their expression through clothing it’s easy to see why so many men and women preferred subtlety.

Screening during enrollment required soldiers to answer questions about their sexual orientation,

Originally called Society of Fools, the organization’s goals were to unify the gay community, have leaders rise within the community, and assist those who were victimized due to oppression. Hay structured the Mattachine Society so that it resembles that of the Communist Party with multiple levels of membership, cells, and oaths of secrecy. In 1952 one of the founding members Dale Jennings was arrested and charged for lewd behavior when he invited an undercover cop, looking to apprehend gay men, to stay the night at his apartment, Hay and the rest of the Mattachine Society decided it was time to fight back. Contesting the charges against Jennings the Mattachine Society raised funds to hire Jennings a criminal defense attorney, George Shibley, and distributed news of the trial across the nation. With Shibley arguing “that the only true perverts in the courtroom were the cruising policemen intent upon entrapment” (Victory: the Triumphant Gay Revolution, by Linda R. Hirshman) Jennings and the Mattachine Society successfully won the case. News of the victory spread and the Mattachine Society’s numbers

Upon moving to San Francisco from New York Milk quickly became a community leader and in 1973 Milk declared that he would be running for the San Francisco Board of supervisors. Milk was known for strongly advocating for gay rights in his campaigns, and often had it as a central point in his speeches. Losing the election but determined Milk would run again in 1975, only to yet again lose, but just barely this time. Since his first election Milk had become well known and had gained many powerful political allies including: San Francisco’s mayor George Moscone. In fact Milk had gained so many followers within Castro that he was “known affectionately as the ‘Mayor of Castro Street’”. (Harvey Milk, Biography.com). Milk was finally victorious when he ran yet again in 1977, but it wasn’t without opposition. Dan White a man with a more conservative viewpoint also on the board, who frequently clashed with Milk, eventually leading him to enter city hall with a gun and shoot both Milk and his long-time ally George Moscone. In wake of the trial where White was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder protests that were once peaceful quickly became violent, with police for eventually taking action and leaving numerous people with