THE GAY LIBERATION FRONT
Are you wondering how the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) operate? Does it bother you how the agenda of the movement is moved? Worry not, for by the end of this research paper, the solutions to these queries will be availed. Gay Liberation Front comprises of various gay liberation groups. The movement was formed in the aftermath of Stonewall Riots that occurred in 1969 in New York City in the United States when the police clashed with gay demonstrators. The central concern of this paper is to provide a vivid document analysis of GLF with reference to relevant resource materials. This analysis will assist us in acquiring detailed information concerning GLF and the impacts it has on the social arena.
The Gay Liberation movement was formed to primarily advocate for the rights of those that faced social discrimination and hostility because of their sexual orientation. In the list of their demands, one of the major concerns was to have everyone being left to express their sexual preference publicly without getting intimidated freely. From the document entitled The Gay Liberation Front, Come Out (1970), the GLF concept is well articulated through the dialogue that involved a few people. It is said that GLF was initially formed to foster peace in the society[1]. Actually, from Kay’s point of view, for 9 to 10 years from the day it was formed, GLF was a peace movement. However, according to Bernard, the movement is more extensive than that. Having an experience of more than 50 years in the movement, he argued that GLF means any attempt to bring change either politically, economically, or socially. Arguably, the Gay Liberation Front sensitizes people to work towards making changes in the country. That’s why the movement recruits people that are ready to bring change in society.
Bernard explains that when he joined GLF, they were protesting to see that growing unemployment was addressed and also helping workers who were locked out. Besides, the movement was concerned about the prolonged oppressions against women, blacks, and children who were not treated well in their places of work. He cites an incident where they went to a public swimming pool with some of his friends. This was after the civil rights bill was signed. The swimming pool had almost 50 people but when they entered in only three people were left[2]. This was a clear message that they were not wanted in the society. The homosexuals were not left out. They faced oppression and discrimination from every corner of the society. During the early days of GLF, witnesses claim that the police were very violent against individuals joining the movement. People came up with a tactic that would discourage police from confronting them. In the tactic, they always remained under the hooves of police horses.
Arguably, Gay Liberation Movement should be seen as a process that will liberate gay people by making them full members of liberation movement. This will change any form of a system that oppresses people. Bob adds that Gay Liberation will ensure that all homosexuals will remain vigilant in ensuring that they are no longer treated like political prisoners. Before the movement was formed, there was no way homosexuals could express their views. They remained in different forms of discrimination. The society believed that homosexuality was sickness and anyone joining it was perceived as being mentally sick. Gay Liberation Front is more than the name suggests. Other than advocating for the rights of homosexuality, we earlier saw that the movement has other roles such as promoting peace and change in the society. Therefore, in my view, the movement should be allowed by the government provided that it operates for the good of the majority[3].
Bibliography
Library, T., 2020. NYPL, 1969. [online] Web-static.nypl.org. Available at: <http://web-static.nypl.org/exhibitions/1969/liberation.html> [Accessed 2 May 2020].
Wps.prenhall.com. 2020. Source Documents: The Gay Liberation Front, Come Out (1970). [online] Available at: <http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/173/177769/29_gayli.HTM> [Accessed 2 May 2020].
[1] Wps.prenhall.com. 2020. Source Documents: The Gay Liberation Front, Come Out (1970). [online] Available at: <http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/173/177769/29_gayli.HTM> [Accessed 2 May 2020].
[2]Wps.prenhall.com. 2020. Source Documents: The Gay Liberation Front, Come Out (1970). [online] Available at: <http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/173/177769/29_gayli.HTM> [Accessed 2 May 2020].
[3] Library, T., 2020. NYPL, 1969. [online] Web-static.nypl.org. Available at: <http://web-static.nypl.org/exhibitions/1969/liberation.html> [Accessed 2 May 2020].