"A counterculture (also written counter-culture) is a subcuture whose values and norms of behavior differ substantially from those of mainstream society, often in opposition to mainstream cultural mores" -WIKIPEDIA
A gay culture began to take root in the United States, discretely, with its own styles, attitudes, and behaviors, and aspects of society began catering to this growing demographic group. For example, novels like The Well of Loneliness or The Velvet Underground, that were targeted directly at homosexuals were published. By the early 1960s, openly gay political organizations such as the Mattachine Society were formally protesting abusive treatment toward gay people, challenging the idea that homosexuality was an condition, and called for the decriminalization of homosexuality. American society began to acknowledge the existence of a sizable population of gays, though this acknowledgement was not widely sympathised.
MATTACHINE SOCIETY
There was a clash of tactics between the gay reform movements pre stonewall incident. The Mattachine society campaigned for toleration and decriminalisation; and were not focussed on improving attitudes or social acceptance. They were not wanting to change any negative views that society had on on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender members of the community, but quietly protested under the radar, aiming to achieve decriminalisation. The used protest actions such as lobbying, letter-writing, making submissions to legislation, and silent protests in formal clothes so as not to upset the public. Despite this though, they still had the intentions to improve civil rights for the LGBT community.
One of the earliest American gay movement (or homophile) organizations, the Mattachine Society began in Los Angeles in the winter of 1950. It was formed by Harry Hay , a leading gay activist and former Communist Party member , along with seven other gay men.
Other important homophile organizations on the West Coast included One, Inc., founded in 1952, and the first lesbian support network, Daughters of Bilitis, founded in 1955 by Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. Through meetings and publications, these groups offered information and outreach to thousands.
A gay culture began to take root in the United States, discretely, with its own styles, attitudes, and behaviors, and aspects of society began catering to this growing demographic group. For example, novels like The Well of Loneliness or The Velvet Underground, that were targeted directly at homosexuals were published. By the early 1960s, openly gay political organizations such as the Mattachine Society were formally protesting abusive treatment toward gay people, challenging the idea that homosexuality was an condition, and called for the decriminalization of homosexuality. American society began to acknowledge the existence of a sizable population of gays, though this acknowledgement was not widely sympathised.
MATTACHINE SOCIETY
There was a clash of tactics between the gay reform movements pre stonewall incident. The Mattachine society campaigned for toleration and decriminalisation; and were not focussed on improving attitudes or social acceptance. They were not wanting to change any negative views that society had on on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender members of the community, but quietly protested under the radar, aiming to achieve decriminalisation. The used protest actions such as lobbying, letter-writing, making submissions to legislation, and silent protests in formal clothes so as not to upset the public. Despite this though, they still had the intentions to improve civil rights for the LGBT community.
One of the earliest American gay movement (or homophile) organizations, the Mattachine Society began in Los Angeles in the winter of 1950. It was formed by Harry Hay , a leading gay activist and former Communist Party member , along with seven other gay men.
Other important homophile organizations on the West Coast included One, Inc., founded in 1952, and the first lesbian support network, Daughters of Bilitis, founded in 1955 by Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. Through meetings and publications, these groups offered information and outreach to thousands.