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Writer's pictureFight for Rights

Beyond The Rainbow: LGBTQ+ History in the Making

“Cut the ending. Revise the script. The man of her dreams is a girl.”

— Julie Anne Peters, “Keeping You a Secret”


The above line, written along the pages of a novel by Julie Anne Peters, is a stark conclusion that signifies discovering and establishing one's identity in a world full of reproachful people. Like the protagonist, there are millions, perhaps billions of people worldwide, who face the same deprecating issue that narrows their horizon- homophobia.


In today's world, where major advancements across various domains such as education, healthcare & global connectivity are taking place, humankind is still lagging in one aspect- acceptance. Whether it is acceptance for people of color, or acceptance for queer people, the vision of a world where one can walk freely without being judged is still utopian.


In honor of this year's Pride Month, Fight4Rights presents the history of the LGBTQ+ community, giving you a glimpse of their unending struggle and ongoing fight for justice. From the Holocaust to the Stonewall Riots, LGBTQ+ individuals have been subjected to ruthless hardships and inequality, which goes to  show that living with a differing sexual orientation has never been easy. By reflecting upon their history through a timeline of major uprisings and milestones, we aim to honor the resilience and courage of those who have fought and continue to fight for equality and acceptance.


I - Homosexuality in Ancient India

One of the most prevalent arguments against homosexuality in India is that it defies traditional Indian norms. Yet, looking at pre-colonial texts, it is evident that ancient India was much more inclusive towards homosexuality. 


Hindu mythology includes numerous references to non-binary gender identities and same-sex relationships. The epics and Puranas, such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, contain stories that reflect the fluidity of gender and sexuality- In the Mahabharata, Shikhandi, who is instrumental in the Kurukshetra War, is born as a woman but later becomes a man. In Ramayana, King Bhagiratha was birthed through a union between two queens. 


Another example is Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire. In his memoir Baburnama, he expresses attraction towards a boy named Baburi in Kabul. He writes about him in a poem -

"May none be as I, humbled and wretched and love-sick;

No beloved as thou art to me, cruel and careless."


Apart from literature, homosexual references are abundant in ancient architecture, sculpture and paintings. Temples of Puri and Tanjore portray images of queer couples. Buddhist caves at Ajanta and Ellora, depicting the life of Gautam Buddha, are home to paintings displaying men and women engaging in lovemaking with the same gender.


II - 2nd Century (130 CE) : Antinous, Roman Emperor Hadrian's Lover

In the ancient Roman Empire, Antinous was a young man from Bithynia, subjected to the attraction of Roman Emperor Hadrian. He was known for his ethereal beauty, which was depicted by artists, often long after his death. 


It is probable that the young man came across Hadrian when the Emperor was touring his home city Nicomedia, which had suffered an earthquake around 120-122 CE.  It is believed that they met during a public celebration. The young boy was selected for Hadrian's entourage and sent to be educated in the Paedogogium- a boarding school in Rome preparing young men for service in the imperial palace or for the personal service of highly ranked individuals. 


When he became Hadrian's companion, it is likely that he became one of the Emperor's favorites. Hadrian seems to have favored men as sexual and romantic partners, and Antinous was his most favorite.  Antinous was not the first male companion of Hadrian, and this relationship was socially acceptable then.


There are multiple theories about Antinous' death. It is established that he drowned in the Nile, but explanations of his demise varied. They ranged from suicide to a sacrifice to cure the Emperor, or an assassination as a result of the court's intrigue. Shortly after Antinous’ death, a devastated Hadrian made a cult in his honor. This was the beginning of Antinous’ legacy and the birth of his legend. The cult quickly became popular, and Antinous was worshipped for his healing power since it was believed that his sacrifice cured the emperor. Numerous statues, temples, and coins bearing Antinous' image were created throughout the Roman Empire. This elevated Antinous' status to that of a divine figure, long after his passing.


III - 1924 : Society for Human Rights 

Moving towards major events in the previous decade, a noteworthy one was the establishment of the Society for Human Rights by Henry Gerber. While Gerber was stationed in Germany with the army, he witnessed a very open homosexual community as compared to America. Inspired by  Germany's Doctor Magnus Hirschfeld and his work with the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, Gerber produced the first American publication for homosexuals, Friendship and Freedom. 


A few months after the establishment, Gerber and other members were arrested on "obscenity" charges, instigated by one of the member's wives. Even though the charges were later dropped, Gerber went bankrupt due to the legal fees and the scandal cost him his job. The group was forced to disband, crushing their hopes of promoting acceptance towards homosexuality. 


This instance goes to prove the strict intolerance towards homosexuality which was prevalent among the minds of America during the landscape of the 20th century. It only makes you speculate about the painful state of homosexuals during that time and the fear they had to live with. 


IV - 1933 - Nazi Germany and The Pink Triangle

During World War II, Nazi Germany adopted the system of allotting badges to identify Jewish individuals in an attempt to "dehumanize" and belittle them by taking away their individuality. Homosexuals were no less affected by these grim circumstances. A downward-pointing pink triangle was sewn onto the shirts of gay men in concentration camps to identify and further dehumanize them. 


As part of their mission to “purify” Germany, the Nazis arrested thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals, mostly gay men, whom they viewed as degenerate. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum estimates 100,000 gay men were arrested and between 5,000 and 15,000 were placed in concentration camps. At these camps, homosexuals were treated especially harshly by soldiers and prisoners alike.  An estimated 65% of gay men in concentration camps died between 1933 - 1945. Even after World War II, both East and West Germany upheld the country’s anti-gay law, and many gays remained incarcerated until the early 1970s. 


In 1972, "The Men with the Pink Triangle", the first autobiography of a gay concentration camp survivor was published. In the following year, Germany’s first gay rights organization- Homosexuelle Aktion Westberlin (HAW), reclaimed the pink triangle as a symbol of liberation. The symbol slowly started showing up in different corners of the world. Since the 1990s, signs bearing a pink triangle enclosed in a green circle have been used as a symbol identifying “safe spaces” for queer people. Pink triangle memorials in San Francisco and Sydney honor LGBTQ+ victims of the Holocaust. In 2018, for Pride Month, Nike released a collection of shoes featuring pink triangles.


This shows how the community adopted a symbol that was once used to dehumanize them and turned it into a symbol of empowerment. This symbol stands as a testament to the oppression faced by Jewish homosexuals, and a reminder of the persecution the community faced-  and still faces- across the world.


V - 1950 : The Mattachine Society

As the second half of the 10th century began, the first lasting gay organization, The Mattachine Society, was created by Harry Hay. It began as a secret organization and borrowed its initial structure from the Communist Party. It was so anonymous that even the members had no clue about the identities of their leaders, who called themselves the "fifth order". 


Their main goal was to promote a sense of solidarity and group identity among homosexuals. The name "Mattachine" was derived from a medieval French society of unmarried townsmen who performed during the Feast of Fools wearing masks. The key feature was that their performances were always thinly disguised protests against the aristocracy. Hay said he chose the name because homosexuals in the mid 20th century were also a "masked people, unknown and anonymous, who might become engaged in morale building and helping ourselves and others." 


VI - 1969 : Stonewall Riots

One of the most well-known uprisings that played a pivotal part in changing the trajectory of LGBTQ+ history were the Stonewall Riots.  While Facing intense discrimination and being ostracized by the public, homosexuals found solace in gay bars and clubs, where they could express themselves freely without any judgement. One such bar was The Stonewall Inn- registered as a type of private “bottle bar,” which did not require a liquor license because patrons were supposed to bring their own liquor.  Club attendees had to sign their names in a book upon entry to maintain the club’s false exclusivity.


Stonewall Inn was large and relatively cheap to enter. It welcomed drag queens, who faced disapproval at other gay bars and clubs. It was a home for many runaways and homeless gay youths, who shoplifted to afford the entry fee. And it was one of the few gay bars that allowed dancing. On the morning of June 28, the police burst into Stonewall Inn armed with a warrant. They roughed up patrons, found bootlegged alcohol and arrested 13 people.


Frustrated by ongoing police harassment and social discrimination, patrons and neighborhood residents gathered outside the bar, becoming increasingly agitated as events unfolded and people were aggressively manhandled. Within minutes, a riot involving hundreds erupted. The mob repeatedly breached the barricades and attempted to set the bar on fire. The fire department and a riot squad eventually doused the flames, rescued those inside, and dispersed the crowd. However, protests, sometimes involving thousands, continued in the area for five more days, intensifying after the Village Voice published its account.


This riot was one of the key points in LGBTQ+ history. It lead to numerous gay rights organizations, including the Gay Liberation Front, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD (formerly Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), and PFLAG (formerly Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). On the one-year anniversary of the riots on June 28, 1970, thousands of people marched in the streets of Manhattan from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in the “Christopher Street Liberation Day,” America’s first gay pride parade. The parade’s official chant was: “Say it loud, gay is proud.” In 2016, then-President Barack Obama designated Stonewall Inn, Christopher Park, and the surrounding streets and sidewalks a national monument in recognition of the area’s contribution to gay rights.


VII- 1978 : The Rainbow Flag

The history of the emergence of the rainbow flag is a fascinating one. In 1970, a "self described geeky kid from Kansas"- Gilbert Baker- moved to San Francisco to pursue his dream of being an artist. He learned to sew, making all the fabulous 70s clothes that he wanted but couldn’t buy. 


In 1974, Baker’s life changed when he met Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person to hold a high public office in a major American city, who showed him “how action could create change.” Milk challenged Baker to create a symbol of pride for the gay community – a positive alternative to the pink triangle. Baker began working on the flag with a few volunteers and stitched together 8 strips of brilliant color that spoke volumes:  hot pink stood for sexuality, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, turquoise blue for art, indigo for harmony and violet for spirit.


The flag encapsulated the beauty of the contrasting colors as they blended together to create the perfect symbol for the diverse community. Recently, Baker said,

“The flag is an action – it’s more than just the cloth and the stripes. When a person puts the Rainbow Flag on his car or his house, they’re not just flying a flag. They’re taking action.” 


VIII - 1989 and further : Legalizing same-sex marriage

In 1989, Denmark became the first country in the world to legally recognize same-sex unions, without using the term "marriage". Later, Netherlands became the first country to formally legalize same-sex marriage. Denmark created “registered partnerships” that extended property and inheritance rights to same-sex couples. This marked the first time a national government guaranteed gay and lesbian households not only protection from harassment but also some of the legal rights long held by heterosexual married couples. Norway took similar action in 1993, followed by Sweden in 1995 and Iceland in 1996; other European countries followed suit in subsequent years. 


The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. In December 2000, the Dutch parliament passed legislation that gave same-sex couples the right to marry, divorce and adopt children. On April 1, 2001, the mayor of Amsterdam officiated at the ceremonies of the first four gay couples to be married. In the next six years, Belgium (2003), Spain (2005), Canada (2005) and South Africa (2006) have followed the Netherlands’ lead and legalized same-sex marriage.


New legislation related to same-sex relations is introduced somewhere in the world almost every month. In November 2006, Mexico City became the first of Mexico’s regional governments to recognize same-sex civil unions. After relentless pursuit for justice by the homosexuals of the United States, on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage and legalized it in all fifty states. 


IX - 1991 :  ACT UP Day Of Desperation

ACT UP is international organization founded in the United States in 1987 to bring attention to the AIDS epidemic. The organization was founded at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in Manhattan, New York. ACT UP's Day Of Desperation was a direct response to the US government's ignorance towards the quickly spreading disease. It reflected the anger and urgency of activists regarding the growth of the pandemic and the concern about their health and the health of their loved ones. Without concrete demands, the demonstration occurred just as U.S. troops were sent to the Persian Gulf- "Money for AIDS, not for war," demonstrators shouted.


The protesters led mass marches and delivered coffins to city, state, and federal offices that the group held responsible for perpetuating the AIDS epidemic. Many of the demonstrators were arrested and fellow activists continued throughout the years, subjected to intense police brutality as well as verbal and physical harassment. Despite their setbacks, by the early 21st century ACT UP had more than 70 chapters around the world and had expanded its vision to include an end to the worldwide AIDS crisis. It has been argued that their efforts radically changed the way the world saw the AIDS crisis and the power of the gay rights movement.X - Portrayal In Indian Cinema

Shifting towards the Indian subcontinent, where the fight for justice and equality for homosexuals is still on, mass media and the entertainment industry have always been one of the strongest ways to spread any message, and they also face the intense scrutiny of the entire nation. Numerous films questioning topics such as gender roles, mental health, and homosexuality have been released, but not all of them were accepted by the population.


The 1996 film Fire was no stranger to public outrage. It was one of the first films that introduced homosexuality, which was a heavily stigmatized and denounced topic in the country. The film, in which two sisters-in-law from a traditional household fall in love with each other, faced intense hostility to the point where it became violent. Rampages occurred during the screening of the film in various areas as people barged in with lathis, tore off posters and broke glass panes . What is even more alarming is that these outbursts received the support of various political parties & MLAs. Chief Minister Manohar Joshi expressed his support towards the outrage, saying "I congratulate them for what they have done. The film's theme is alien to our culture". 


Another such film was the 1971 film Badnam Basti, the first queer film in India. The industry branded it a failure, owing to the fact it was in theatres for just about a week.  Strangely, it vanished from the records, as if having never been created. The question was- How could a film created by the well known director Prem Kapoor disappear for almost half a century? 


The only answer to that is the theme of the movie, which included human trafficking as well as queer representation and self discovery within a rigid society were real struggles that existed and still persist, reflecting our societal norms. These incidents bring the fearsome state of Indian homosexuals to light. They are expected to make a home in the nation all while fearing for their lives.


XI - 2018 : Section 377

A pivotal movement in Indian LGBTQ+ history was the striking down of Section 377. Section 377 referred to 'unnatural offences' and stated "whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman, or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to pay a fine".


Gender rights activists have argued that Section 377 violates various Articles of the Indian Constitution- Article 14 guaranteeing equality before law to all individuals, Article 15 ensuring that no person is discriminated on the basis of caste, gender, creed etc. as well as Article 21 ensuring right to life and liberty. On September 6, 2018, all five judges signed a verdict and ruled that consensual gay intercourse is not a crime and stated that sexual orientation is natural and people have no control over it. 


This historic moment marked a major milestone in the unending fight for justice for the community. The decision has led to increased visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in India. It also helped break down social barriers and stereotypes surrounding sexual orientation.


XII - 2023 : Indian Supreme Court and Same-Sex Marriage

A major setback for the LGBTQ+ community occurred when India's Supreme Court declined to legalize same-sex unions. Hopeful individuals were eagerly waiting on the Supreme Court's judgement regarding same-sex unions, and expected a positive outcome similar to other nations. Their hopes were crushed when the Court refused to legalize the union despite considering 21 petitions by same-sex couples and activists.


The petitioners had argued that not being able to marry violated their constitutional rights as citizens of India and suggested that the court could simply replace "man" and "woman" with "spouse" in the Special Marriage Act - which allows marriage between people from different religions, castes and countries - to include same-sex unions. This notion faced strong disapproval from the government and religious leaders.


This judgement reflects the hostile mindset of the nation towards homosexuality. It is still considered "abnormal" and members of the community are harassed, mocked and further ostracized by society. Despite major advancements in our country, discrimination towards individuals that do not fit the "general" concept of how a person should be still prevails, proving that- as a nation- we still have a long way to go.



All these milestones and uprisings give you a sense of how LGBTQ+ individuals have struggled to attain the treatment they deserve. They have a long past marked with triumph and struggles alike, and a still longer way to go. Even till today, they struggle in public places such as their workplace and even their home environment is oftentimes than not, extremely harsh. They face malevolent people with narrow mindsets and they have to struggle for their safety even in places they call home while the question still stands- When will homophobia end? 


They have been forced to hide in shadows but have also been empowered to rise up and demand equal rights. The duty also falls on common individuals to advocate for the rights of those who are still marginalized and oppressed and stand in solidarity with all marginalized communities. We must honor the struggles of those who came before, and we must use their experiences as a catalyst for change.


The one and only motive of the community stands clear- to be accepted for who they are, and to love without fear- fear of persecution, fear of rejection, and fear of judgement- to live, to love and thrive without society's ideals holding them back.


Credits:

Writer: Sara Saif

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