The Lavender Scare

During the Cold War era, the United States was engulfed in fear, leading President Dwight D. Eisenhower to label homosexuals as “security risks.” He mandated the swift dismissal of any government workers identified as gay or lesbian. This sparked a relentless witch hunt that persisted for four decades, devastating countless lives. Amidst this turmoil, an unexpected champion emerged, playing a pivotal role in the rise of the contemporary LGBT rights movement.