Last week was a momentous time for gays and their supporters in the United States. The events prompted me to consider their long struggle in the context of a historical pendulum—most likely prompted by the fact books comprising my Cut Hand Saga have one overarching theme: the change in attitudes among native cultures regarding “deviant lifestyles” brought about by the European fear of homosexuality in 19th Century America.
The
first and seminal book, Cut Hand, draws
a sharp comparison between the European posture toward berdaches and the more accepting and tolerant attitude of some (not
all) native cultures. When Cut Hand and Billy Strobaw build Teacher’s Mead,
there are few white men along the Yanube River, therefore they live among a
native culture with a high degree of toleration and even respect for
homosexuals, something Billy would never have found among his own people. When
Cut explains the “Circle of Life” to his lover, the young American finds it a
powerful concept which allows individuals—men and women—to live where they fit
without being forced to fit where they live. Liberating because it allows him
to be who he is.
….And
the pendulum swings
In
River Otter, set during the American
Civil War, the dominant European culture has become a more prominent factor in Otter’s
and James Morrow’s lives on their farm only seven miles from Yanube City and
its neighboring military post. This proximity requires them to be cautious and
secretive in their daily lives. From Otter’s standpoint, it is unnatural and
difficult to hide his true self from others. For James, nothing has changed as
this is the world in which he grew up.
….And
the pendulum swings
In
the upcoming Echoes of the Flute, the
white culture becomes even more of a factor in the daily lives of the inhabitants
of both Teacher’s Mead and Morrow Farm. A fact brought home because John
Strobaw’s mother and Matthew Brandt’s adopted mother is of Scandinavian descent
and a devout Christian. In addition, the mores of the dominant culture and the
teachings of its Church begin to infect tribal attitudes. Support for and
acceptance of “Two Spirits” who live outside the norm begin to wane.
….And
the pendulum swings
The fourth and final novel of the series, tentatively called Night Sky Hair, details not only stronger denunciation and persecution of people who engage in “unnatural” acts, but also the virtual destruction of the native cultures, which once provided such a rich heritage for the original Americans.
….And
the pendulum swings
When I was growing up in small-town Oklahoma—lo those many years ago—homosexuality was neither mentioned nor admitted…even when it reared its head. Boys caught comparing sizes or touching one another were merely “going through a phase.” And in truth, that was the case most of the time. Yet, on occasion, someone would appear on the horizon who was twisted, different, queer. Ostracism was instant and total…except for the few who used the poor fag to gain momentary pleasure. Although denying such people existed among them, parents were careful to frighten their children into shying clear of these nonentities. Of course, politicians were quick to claim their opponents were “soft on them.” Many times, fanning the flames of fear about queers affected the outcome of important elections.
….And
the pendulum swings
It’s not my intent to recount the detailed history of gay repression, persecution, and prosecution, but suffice it to say homosexuals were swept up in the McCarthy Era paranoia and lumped in with communists and anarchists. The federal government included them on “lists,” believing gays were security risks and lacked the emotional stability of normal persons. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s the FBI and police departments compiled lists of known homosexuals and the U.S. Post Office kept track of addresses where “gay” material was mailed.
….And
the pendulum swings
Bars catering to homosexuals were closed, their customers arrested, and exposed in newspapers. Cities did sweeps to rid neighborhoods, parks, bars, and beaches of gays. Thousands were publicly humiliated, physically harassed, fired, jailed, or institutionalized. Federal job applications were denied solely on the suspicion the applicant was gay. An unknown number of people were discharged from the military and fired from good civilian jobs. Pulpits rang with calls for these poor souls to give up their unnatural desires and join the healthy, happy multitudes…many of whom were mired in messy divorces.
…And
the pendulum swings
In 1952 the American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as a sociopathic personality disturbance. Psychologist Evelyn Hookers’s comprehensive study refuted this premise in 1956. Nonetheless, homosexuality remained in the DSM until 1973. This official attitude gave countless individuals license to perform physical and psychological mayhem on gays across the land. Some of these attacks resulted in death at the hand of tormentors.
….And
the pendulum swings
The HIV/AIDS epidemic which began somewhere around 1969, gave rise to widespread fear and renewed hatred as the “Gay Disease” swept the nation, and indeed, the world. Priests and pastors openly declared it as God’s punishment unleashed on those who practiced unnatural sex. Such proclamations began to fade when a growing number of heterosexuals succumbed to this form of cancer.
….And
the pendulum swings
Things began to change with the Stonewall Riots, which were spontaneous, violent demonstrations by the gay community against a police raid that took place in the morning hours of June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. Theories that the gay lifestyle was not a choice or the results of upbringing, but rather was the result of “hard wiring were heard.
….And
the pendulum swings
Gay rights activists began to tilt the playing field. In June 1970, the first Gay Pride marches took place in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Talk shifted from “unnatural sex” to “civil rights” for those with different tastes. For the first time this now prevalent (as opposed to dominant) culture began to see homosexuals and bisexuals as individuals, as human beings rather than monsters. Closet doors opened as more and more gays elected to stop living dual lives. States with laws criminalizing homosexual acts began to rescind them or see them fall before court challenges.
….And
the pendulum swings
And then last week, Supreme Court decisions struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and upheld the outlawing of California’s Prop 8. These were significant, but not total victories for the gay community. Thousands of words have already been written on the effects of the two announcements, and I have little or no insight that will add anything new on these matters other than to say they were welcome and to warn….
….The
pendulum still swings
Note: New posts are published
around the first of every month.
Comments are welcome, not
only on this post, but also about any relevant subject the reader wishes to
discuss.
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