Reddit LGBTQ+ People Share What It Was Like To Be Queer In The 50s, 60s And 70s

[Behind the Aegis]

Another day, another incredibly interesting Reddit thread to fill our time. This time on the LGBT thread, a curious user posted a simple yet fascinating question, asking LGBTQ+ people from the '50s, '60s and '70s about their experiences and “what it was like to live in those eras”.

A very fair question, considering how often we take for granted all we’ve accomplished in a short amount of time. And sometimes it is also difficult for younger generations to fully comprehend what it was like to be an openly queer person during those times.

Some stories were, as you would expect, pretty tragic. One thing they had in common was the fear of being openly queer when you knew that people would come after you for being “different”. And sadly, some people can tragically see thing moving backwards again.

“I'm 46, but was raised by lesbians, and let me tell you the '80s were a horrific time to be in the queer community. I couldn't be out about my parents (and later myself). Once a group of kids found out and surrounded our house throwing rocks. All my mom’s gay male friends were dying horrific deaths all around us. I did my grade five science fair project on HIV/AIDS and my teacher almost didn't let me. So many lesbians who had married men and had kids only to come out later had their children taken away.”

more...

While I completely disagree with the notion our rights were secured "in a short amount of time", especially given in some states it is still legal to fire us or deny us housing, I do think it is important for queer people to know our history, and for those who aren't part of the community to also learn what we endured.

I didn't come out until the end of the 80's so my experience is a bit different. However, to members here from those decades (before?) I hope you decide to share your own experiences so people can learn and try to understand.

[msongs]

1. cops used to raid bars, do ID checks, clothes/gender checks

even in So Cal during the late 70's an era known for its more liberalized attitudes. cops would come in, turn on all the house lights, and do ID checks, taking people outside for questioning, just harassment,

[beaglelover]

2. We have a much older gay friend who is in his late 80s now.

He told us that when he was younger, I believe in the 1970s, 2 men could not rent an apartment together in Los Angeles. He and his boyfriend at the time had to pretend that they were related.

[Hekate]

3. In the early '70sWaikiki police decided cross-dressers had to wear a name-tag that said "I am a boy"

This was due to complaints from tourists and sailors on shore leave who thought they were picking up a girl. So they said.

I don’t know how that all worked out or when it ended, but looking back it was all part of harassment.