The Brian Lehrer Show

100 Years of 100 Things: The Fight for Gay Rights

Jun 24, 2025
Marc Stein, a leading historian and director of the OutHistory website, dives into the captivating history of LGBTQ rights in the U.S. He discusses the formation of the first gay rights organization in 1924 Chicago, the evolution of LGBTQ terminology, and the profound impacts of World War II on the movement. Listeners share personal stories of love and loss, highlighting resilience in adversity. The conversation also addresses the significance of LGBTQ neighborhoods and businesses in the fight for equality, illustrating the transformative power of community through history.
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INSIGHT

Origins of US Gay Rights Movement

  • The first gay rights group in the US emerged in Chicago in 1924, inspired by European movements.
  • Germany led early gay rights activism with organized communities and terminology like 'homosexuality'.
INSIGHT

Evolution of LGBTQ Terminology

  • Early 20th-century terms like pansy and fairy were sometimes reclaimed slurs within LGBTQ communities.
  • 'Homophile' replaced 'homosexual' mid-century to emphasize love over sexual behavior.
INSIGHT

Kinsey Report's Impact on Perspectives

  • The Kinsey Report framed homosexuality as a common behavior rather than an identity.
  • Kinsey argued scientific evidence should inform laws opposing suppression of these behaviors.
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