Coming of Age During the 1970s: Chapter 1: A Surge of Energy

The Rise of Gay Liberation

During the 1970s, the gay liberation movement in the United States witnessed a surge of activism and organizing. Following the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, hundreds of new organizations formed, demanding an end to discrimination, the repeal of anti-LGBTQ laws, and the removal of homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses. Activism took various forms, including zaps (attention-grabbing protests), dances, and alliance-building with other social justice movements. This period saw the birth of organizations like the Gay Activist Alliance, Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), and the Lesbian Feminist Liberation. The movement grew rapidly, with LGBTQ individuals finding community and support in safe spaces like the Firehouse in Soho, New York, and Alternate You dances. The era culminated in major milestones such as the Democratic Party National Convention in 1972, where Madeline Davis became the first openly lesbian delegate and called for gay rights to be included in the party's platform. Although progress was made, discrimination remained, and the fight for equality continued.