LGBTQ+ History and the Society for Human Rights

November 4, 2024:

By Violet Nichols (she/they), 18, Staff Writer

November 3, 2024

This year, during LGBTQ+ History Month, I found myself diving deeper into the history of some of the pioneers who shaped the LGBTQ+ rights movement. For instance, I was intrigued to learn about the Society for Human Rights, the first officially recognized gay rights organization in the U.S. It was formed 100 years ago but I’d never heard of it before!

Finding out about the Society made me realize how brave early activists were, standing up for their rights when being gay was considered a criminal offense in the U.S. Their fight for equality laid the foundation for the progress many of us benefit from today.

A Supportive Space

The Society for Human Rights was founded in Chicago in 1924 by Henry Gerber. While stationed in Germany during World War I, he was inspired by the efforts of another gay activist, Magnus Hirschfeld, as well as the activism and gay community he saw there.

Gerber envisioned creating a supportive space back in the U.S. for gay men to gather. At a time when they faced severe legal and social discrimination, it was rare for such groups to form publicly.

Friendship, Freedom and Facing Challenges

In applying for legal recognition of the Society, Gerber cited the right to the pursuit of happiness as stated in the Declaration of Independence, as well as the importance of fighting prejudice. Among other things, the Society published Friendship and Freedom, the first known gay-interest newsletter.

Unfortunately, the Society faced significant challenges. Months after its formation, the wife of one of the members filed that they were engaging in “obscene” behavior, causing Gerber to be arrested. Although the charges were eventually dropped, the legal fees left him bankrupt.

This struggle illustrates the harsh reality for LGBTQ+ people at the time and the societal backlash against those advocating for change.

The Society’s Lasting Impact

Despite the Society’s existence being so brief, it helped lay the groundwork for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, including advancements like the decriminalization of homosexuality and the creation of advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign. It was one of the earliest examples of visibility and representation that enabled LGBTQ+ people to become less stigmatized in the U.S. In 2015, the Society was declared a National Historic Landmark.

By acknowledging the contributions of early organizations like this one, we can better appreciate the history of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. We can understand more about progress made in the U.S. but also why it’s important to keep standing up against stigma and discrimination. In 1962, Illinois was the first state to decriminalize homosexuality, but it wasn’t fully decriminalized in the U.S. until 2003. This is pretty recent. Plus, there are still parts of the world where homosexuality and transgenderism are illegal and even punishable by death.

Our Voices Matter

Learning about the past can not only help build empathy but also encourage young people to be advocates for themselves and others by creating more inclusive spaces—locally and globally.

As I continue to learn more about LGBTQ+ history, I’ve recognized that our voices matter in this ongoing journey. We’re part of a larger initiative, one aiming to reverse bigotry and hatred and inspire inclusivity and equity.

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