So this is me deciding to finally start a long term writing project. Basically, a history of the Gay Liberation movement (as it was first called), what started it, and what it became.
Some warnings: This will be done piecemeal as I get to parts of history that I know, and some things in this might not be correct because (especially at the start) I'll start with what's already in my head from books I've read in the past, then do more research to build off of this. There will be a crap ton of edits as I add to the story, so don't expect the stuff to be static.
Also, as all good histories do, this history will be an attempt to prove a (or really multiple) points, and we'll see if I do that successfully or not, or if my hypothesis has to change.
So first, I'm going to outline a few theses that should span the history, and to keep in mind. Of course, I need to prove them, but that'll take a while. I plan on working on this a little each day.
First, opposition to gay rights took largely two forms: Gays don't exist, and gays aren't acceptable. So much of the gay rights movement can be analyzed at a strategic/tactical level by looking at how pro-LGBT factions did (or didn't) deal with the opposition.
Second, acceptance lead to less degeneracy, and thus gay rights accomplished the one of the biggest family values wins in decades.
Third, why is it now off the rails? For this, I have a few hypotheses, but I'm not sure which is correct, and I need to look at it closer. My current hypotheses are a) career activists ran out of actual problems, b) silent majority type problems, and c) useful idiots by the Democratic machine. I will admit, this is the part I'm shakiest on.
Fourth, capitalism deserves a lot of credit for gay rights. The history of gay rights as a blow to capitalism is hilariously wrong.
Some warnings: This will be done piecemeal as I get to parts of history that I know, and some things in this might not be correct because (especially at the start) I'll start with what's already in my head from books I've read in the past, then do more research to build off of this. There will be a crap ton of edits as I add to the story, so don't expect the stuff to be static.
Also, as all good histories do, this history will be an attempt to prove a (or really multiple) points, and we'll see if I do that successfully or not, or if my hypothesis has to change.
So first, I'm going to outline a few theses that should span the history, and to keep in mind. Of course, I need to prove them, but that'll take a while. I plan on working on this a little each day.
First, opposition to gay rights took largely two forms: Gays don't exist, and gays aren't acceptable. So much of the gay rights movement can be analyzed at a strategic/tactical level by looking at how pro-LGBT factions did (or didn't) deal with the opposition.
Second, acceptance lead to less degeneracy, and thus gay rights accomplished the one of the biggest family values wins in decades.
Third, why is it now off the rails? For this, I have a few hypotheses, but I'm not sure which is correct, and I need to look at it closer. My current hypotheses are a) career activists ran out of actual problems, b) silent majority type problems, and c) useful idiots by the Democratic machine. I will admit, this is the part I'm shakiest on.
Fourth, capitalism deserves a lot of credit for gay rights. The history of gay rights as a blow to capitalism is hilariously wrong.
Last edited: