A recently discovered documentary, called (appropriately) “The Rejected," on the “homosexual problem" shows some differing views on homosexuality from several different standpoints. It was done by KQED in San Francisco and National Educational Television in 1961.
Considering the year in which it was done, it’s amazing for it's frankness and focus on homosexuality as a problem for homosexuals and society in general. Some people speak out asking for more tolerance and understanding. Some sound even more progressive. A few others toe the conservative line.
There’s an anthropologist (Margaret Mead), religious leaders, attorneys, a psychiatrist, a public health physician, members of the Mattachine Society and others. They discuss information from the Kinsey Report, touch on Freud and present some other modern (for that period) information.
Interestingly, some of the same opinions that were held then are still held by people today. Things like: Sexual orientation can be altered through psychiatry, prayer or, early on, having a heterosexual sexual experience. Pedophilia is mentioned as something that gays do. Most gays are thought to be “swishy” or “queens.” It’s unbelievable how these ideas and stereotypes have persisted for decades.
Some of the information they present is inaccurate or just plain wrong. But the information is based on the knowledge (and, to a degree, opinions) that was available at the time.
Additional information and a link to the video are below the orange gay DNA helix.
Some of the high points:
Dr. Margaret Mead discusses homosexuality as something found in almost all cultures as well as in many other animal species. She mentions that transvestites are esteemed in some Native American societies. She even mentions that one tribe sanctioned male-male marriages.
Dr. Carl Bowman, past president of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) discusses Kinsey. He talks about bisexuality, about how to ameliorate problems that homosexuals have, that homosexuality is a psychological illness ("sexual deviancy.") [Homosexuality was considered an illness by the APA for several more years.] Several other issues, like transvestitism, lesbianism are also briefly mentioned. At about 18 minutes into the video, Bowman quotes extensively from a letter Sigmund Freud wrote. It’s frank and very supportive of homosexuals. Something I’d never heard before.
Members of the Mattachine Society provide input on what it’s like to be homosexual in society, what their lives are like. They discuss the reasons for forming the Mattachine Society and its goals. They also offer some poignant insights about things like ostracism and loneliness. This is also shown in a scene at the end of the program. A therapist is interviewing a homosexual client who talks about how he has to hide who he is from colleagues, friends and family, never able to be himself in public even for a moment, lest he lose those relationships. He asks for help, but admits that he doesn't know if the therapist can do anything at all for him. It's amazing to see these men, appearing publicly on television and outing themselves. It really must have taken courage to do that at that time.
Two religious, a rabbi and a Christian, present their religions' views on homosexuality. Biblical teachings, sinning, forgiveness, prayer are discussed.
The physician from the public health department makes several good points about Sexually Transmitted Illnesses (STIs) and the high incidence in homosexual men. He says that one reason may be that men don’t seem to realize that men can get STIs from other men. Presumably because when that generation grew up, they were taught that STIs were spread by female prostitutes.
There is an interesting debate between two attorneys who take pro and con sides on legal issues surrounding homosexuality and homosexual acts. The debate gets a little far-ranging, but it is interesting. As mentioned previously, some of the arguments presented don't seem to have changed much in 60 years.
This is a great show and definitely worth watching if just for the historical perspective. But there are many other reasons to watch. Seeing and listening to Margaret Mead is one. Watching how some of the people on the show struggle with their ideas about homosexuality is another. Hearing the liberal and conservative cases from that period is still another. Watch it, it’s an amazing time capsule of a bit of out history.
https://www.youtube.com/...
The video was found in the archives of the Library of Congress. It's about an hour long and the quality isn't always excellent, but it's easily viewed and heard.
h/t to Thomas Alberts at The New Civil Rights Movement.
http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/...