Living in the Shadows: LGBTQ+ Life in 1920s America
The 1920s was a time of social, cultural, and political change in America. Still, for the LGBTQ+ community, it was a time of deep struggle and unrelenting persecution. Due to the strong social stigma against homosexuality, queer people were forced to live in the shadows and keep their identities hidden – or pay the price.
While some urban areas like New York City and San Francisco provided some semblance of safe havens, queer-friendly spaces were often subject to police raids and crackdowns. Despite these challenges, however, early LGBTQ+ organizations like the Society for Human Rights in Chicago were formed and helped pave the way for future activism. In fact, every single queer person that lived back then helped to create the foundation for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States.
Their mere existence was a revolution – even if it was a quiet one.
Living in the Shadows in the 1920s
In the 1920s, LGBTQ+ people in America primarily lived in silence and darkness, forced to keep their identities hidden due to the strong social stigma and prejudice against homosexuality. The idea of queerness as a mental illness was immensely popular in mainstream society at the time. Not to mention that religious groups saw homosexuality as a sin, just as many do today. Add to that, it was against the law to be a homosexual! People were thrown in jail for it and heavily fined. Some people, mainly young men, went to jail for significant periods of time.
These aversions led to significant discrimination and the ostracization of anyone who even seemed queer. Being queer was a terrifying prospect, and many hid it as best they could. They stayed in the closet and defended it fiercely.
Many LGBTQ+ people couldn’t even fathom that they were homosexual because it seemed so opposite to their “well-bred” nature. They had thoughts, sure. But, they weren’t criminals. So, they kept those thoughts to themselves. Many never even acted on them. They completely internalized their sexualities, often for their entire lives.
However, despite the social pressures, many LGBTQ+ people sought out spaces to be themselves without fear of persecution. Urban areas like New York City and San Francisco became known as havens for queer people. They gathered in bars, nightclubs, and other venues where they could socialize under the radar.
We know about these spaces now, but they were mostly secret back then. Many in the LGBTQ+ community became highly skilled at hiding and living double lives, much like revolutionaries had to. Except queer people in the 1920s weren’t trying to overthrow the government – they just wanted to be themselves.
The Importance of Urban Areas and Harlem, NYC
Harlem in the 1920s was a vibrant and influential cultural hub for African Americans. Because that community was (and sadly, still is) heavily marginalized, the city within the city became a de facto gathering place for LGBTQ+ people of all colors.
What was later dubbed “The Harlem Renaissance,” a cultural movement characterized by a flowering of art, music, and literature, was likely a key factor in the development of the LGBTQ+ community in Harlem. Many lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals found a sense of belonging in the vibrant nightlife of Harlem’s speakeasies, dance halls, and jazz clubs.
Toward the end of the 1920s and into the early 1930s, Harlem’s famous “drag balls” became popular social events, providing a space for LGBTQ+ people to express themselves and their identities. Many people attended drag balls, and they weren’t always homosexual.
However, despite the relative freedom and acceptance that some found in Harlem, LGBTQ+ individuals still faced significant social stigma and discrimination in the larger society. They still had to be careful not to reveal their identities publicly or at work.
Persecution and Discrimination of LGBTQ+ People
Queer-friendly spaces were often subject to police raids and crackdowns, with LGBTQ+ people being arrested, publicly shamed, and thrown in jail. Many queer people were thrown into mental asylums and subjected to cruel and inhumane tests and “therapies.”
Due to this, they lived in constant fear. They had to keep their identities hidden in public and even in their personal lives, as coming out could result in losing jobs, homes, friends, and relationships. Many that were “outed” were financially ruined, often leading to suicide. Others were flat-out murdered, no questions asked.
The Society and Early LGBTQ+ Activism
Despite these overwhelming challenges, some LGBTQ+ individuals in the 1920s were able to form small activist communities. One such organization, the Society for Human Rights, was established for the sole purpose to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. It was founded in 1924 in Chicago by a group of brave pioneers, making it one of the earliest known LGBTQ+ rights organizations in the United States.
Led by Henry Gerber, a German immigrant and openly gay man, the Society was established to give much-needed support and community for queer individuals. The Society published a newsletter called “Friendship and Freedom,” which focused on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community and provided a space for members to share their experiences.
However, the group inevitably faced significant challenges, including opposition from the police and legal system. Sadly, authorities ultimately shut it down. But, despite its short existence, the Society for Human Rights paved the way for future LGBTQ+ organizations and helped lay the foundation for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States.
A Long Road Ahead
Life for LGBTQ+ people in 1920s America was a difficult and often isolated experience marked by heavy persecution and discrimination. But, despite the immense challenges, early LGBTQ+ communities emerged, providing a sense of belonging amongst queer people. These localized communities and the Society for Human Rights helped lay the groundwork for future activism and progress.
There is a lot of work to do, and we still suffer many of the same horrors and atrocities. But, we would not be where we are today if these people had not existed and done their part in helping to break the queer stigma. We owe them a great deal of gratitude, respect, and honor.
It would take many, many years for the LGBTQ+ community to gain greater acceptance and legal protections in American society. Still, the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before paved the way for the ongoing fight for equality and inclusion. The legacy of these pioneers serves as an inspiration to continue the work toward a better and more equitable world for all.