Sam MarkleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-3-2025

Keywords

LGBTQ+ Rights, Queer Rights, Immigration, Cold War, Mattachine Society, ONE Magazine, Homophile Movement, Immigration and Nationality Act

Disciplines

History of Gender | Political History | Queer Studies | United States History

Abstract

By analyzing the United States Lavender Scare and immigration policy of the 1950s, this paper attempts to shed light on how the distinction between “American” and “Un-American” remains at the center of Queer rights advocacy. The heightened fear over the survival of the nation, along with the view of Queer immigrants as threats to the nation, was used to tighten immigration restrictions. This restriction, however, is complicated by existing prejudices against racial minorities and women. Queer rights groups began to rise to prominence during this time and mobilize against claims that they were anti-American or subversive deviants, working through the court system to achieve constitutional rights. What this strategy highlights, however, is that their advocacy for rights was based on a discourse of entitlement as patriotic citizens, which resulted in Queer immigrants, who were by their nature non-citizens, being neglected by these organizations. Even when rights groups did champion the cause of Queer immigrants, they selectively chose their cases to defend white men. Reflecting on publications from the Mattachine Society and One Magazine, the article argues that while early homophile organizations championed the cause of Queer rights, they were distinctly championing the cause of white male gay rights. This analysis reflects on the long-term implications of the shortcomings of liberal Queer rights discourses, the modern co-optation of Queer rights as a tool of Western hegemony, and the implications for the long-term staying power of recent Queer rights victories in the United States.

Department

History

First Advisor

Dr. Elise Boxer

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