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The Lavender Scare

The Cold War Persecution of Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Government
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( 965 ratings, 106 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Lavender Scare by David K. Johnson explores the lesser-known persecution of homosexuals in the U.S. government during the Cold War. The book delves into the systemic discrimination and fear-mongering that labelled gay people as security risks, parallel to the infamous Red Scare. Johnson sheds light on personal stories and the broader impact on American politics and society.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are interested in uncovering the hidden history of the 1950s Lavender Scare, which targeted homosexuals in the federal government under the guise of anti-communist investigations. Rich with historical detail and personal narratives, it offers a fascinating look at how fear and prejudice impacted lives and shaped American society.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
A new edition of a classic work of history, revealing the anti-homosexual purges of midcentury Washington.

In The Lavender Scare, David K. Johnson tells the frightening story of how, during the Cold War, homosexuals were considered as dangerous a threat to national security as Communists. Charges that the Roosevelt and Truman administrations were havens for homosexuals proved a potent political weapon, sparking a β€œLavender Scare” more vehement and long-lasting than Joseph McCarthy’s Red Scare.

Drawing on declassified documents, years of research in the records of the National Archives and the FBI, and interviews with former civil servants, Johnson recreates the vibrant gay subculture that flourished in midcentury Washington and takes us inside the security interrogation rooms where anti-homosexual purges ruined the lives and careers of thousands of Americans.

This enlarged edition of Johnson’s classic work of historyβ€”the winner of numerous awards and the basis for an acclaimed documentary broadcast on PBSβ€”features a new epilogue, bringing the still-relevant story into the twenty-first century.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

David K. Johnson's The Lavender Scare unearths the significant yet often overshadowed persecution of homosexuals in the federal government during the Cold War era, paralleling the Red Scare. Reviews commend the book for its detailed, fair-minded narrative and its crucial role in expanding the understanding of this historic period. It not only highlights the injustices faced by gay and lesbian communities but also their crucial contributions to the origins of the gay rights movement. The work is praised for combining social, cultural, and political history and for prompting a reevaluation of McCarthy-era history.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780226825724

Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 March 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: University of Chicago Press

Edition: First Edition, Enlarged

Illustration: 26 halftones

Contributors:

  • Epilogue by David K. Johnson
  • Epilogue by David K. Johnson

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 481g

Pages: 322

About the Author

David K. Johnson is professor of history at the University of South Florida and the author of Buying Gay: How Physique Entrepreneurs Sparked a Movement.

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    In 1951, a new type of publication appeared on newsstands β€” the physique magazine produced by and for gay men. For many men growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, these magazines and their images and illustrations of nearly naked men, as well as articles, letters from readers, and advertisements, served as an initiation into gay culture. The publishers behind...
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  • Buying Gay
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