Lavender holds a special place in LGBTQIA2S+ culture. Lavender is associated with Sappho, and wearing a streak of lavender was used to signal that you weren't heterosexual. Historically lavender became a reference to vulnerability, effeminacy, and queerness. Lavender is a symbol of queer strength and love. For example, in the 1970s, the Lavender Menace, a lesbian activist group, stormed the stage of the Second Congress to Unite Women in response to comments made by Betty Friedan, a feminist author and activist, claiming that lesbians were a "'lavender menace' that would undermine the women's movement." In the 1920s, the "Lavender Song," or Das Lila Lied emerged as an anthem of pride in Berlin, Germany. Unfortunately, lavender also holds a place of pain for the LGBTQIA2S+ community in 1950s America with the Lavender Scare. The Lavender Scare was the systematic firing and banning of LGBTQIA2S+ people in the United States from the federal government during the 1950s.
A Post World War 2 America
The political climate of the United States was hugely shaped by the events and aftermath of World War 2. The U.S. was determined to enjoy peace on the heels of the depression and the end of the war. However, tensions were still high and quickly moved into the Cold War, an intense political and economic conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States. The Cold War significantly affected domestic politics, prompting an anti-communist crusade throughout the United States, better known as the "Red Scare." The paranoia of the "Red Scare" produced conformity and increased prejudice and discrimination. White middle-class Americans enjoyed the post-war economy's growth; unfortunately, those who didn't conform to these ideals were labeled communists. Politicians such as Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin sought more political power and became extremely popular, leading the charge to find out who was or wasn't a communist. Sen. McCarthy propagated a conspiracy theory that LGBTQIA2S+ Americans who worked in the federal government might be coerced into revealing state secrets to the enemy, claiming they were "security risks."
Initially, the State Department denied harboring any communists but admitted to firing 91 people accused of being "homosexual." 3 different congressional committees held hearings based on the question of whether "homosexuals-in-government" posed a danger. Military intelligence officials and local vice squad officers would anonymously testify that LGBTQIA2S+ citizens threatened national security without proof and couldn't point to a single instance of any of them betraying classified information. On April 27th, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed executive order 10450, which led to 5,000 to 10,00 people losing their jobs.
In the 1950s, there were no existing LGBTQIA2S+ organizations to protect these people. Democrats and the ACLU weren't willing to defend the rights of LGBTQIA2S+ employees at the time. Instead, they suggested it was a matter for mental health professionals, not national security experts. Thousands of LGBTQIA2S+ civil servants were confronted with the question, "Information has come to the attention of the Civil Service Commission that you are a homosexual. What comment do you care to make?". These actions forced many people to either resign to avoid formal charges or not apply for positions in the federal government. It wasn't until President Bill Clinton entered office that another executive order was signed declaring that the U.S. government wouldn't use sexual orientation as a basis for excluding people from national security positions.
History Repeating Itself.
While the "Lavender Scare" has ended, we still see people being attacked in government based on sexual orientation, with similar accusations to those in the 1950s. As with the "Lavender Scare," we see legislation being produced at all levels of government, with government officials making accusations of drag queens endangering children or trans athletes infiltrating women's sports. States like Tennessee, Florida, or Kansas, where the LGBTQIA2S+ community is being attacked, and their rights are being stripped away. As we enter Pride Month, it's essential to not celebrate yourself but take action to defend the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Defend human rights.
If you want to take action and support the LGBTQIA2S+ community, check out these resources below:
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