FBI Files Reveal Much About LGBT History & Oppression

On July 4 1967, a group of gay men and lesbians from the Mattachine Society picketed Independence Hall in Philadelphia. They handed out leaflets that, in-part, bore these words which still ring true today.

The Declaration of Independence says: “All men are created equal.”
But in no walk of life, and in none of his dealings, whether with his fellow citizens or with his governments (Federal, state or local) is the homosexual American citizen treated as equal to others; he is always placed in a status of inferiority. Systematically and unrelentingly, he is placed into and kept in the category of second-class citizen….

The Declaration of Independence says: “All men are endowed with certain unalienable Rights – among these are – the pursuit of Happiness.”
But the homosexual American citizen, upon savage penalty of law, and upon pain of loss of livelihood and other severe disadvantage, is denied proper pursuit of harmless happiness open to other citizens.

This hand typed and mimeographed document contains much more and is part of the FBI files recently declassified and available online here. Though the government’s surveillance was despicable, the preservation of documents reflecting the history of LGBT struggles in America is a good thing. Without these files much of this would be lost. It is worth your time to download and read some of this.

Happily, several of these grievances have been addressed in recent years. The Supreme Court decision of Lawrence vs. Texas did a lot to change things. Most recently, the repeal of DADT has given new hope to LGBT activists that the long march toward freedom may be nearing its goal. As we approach the New Year, take a few moments to read some of these documents and consider how far we have come. They look at how far we still must go to achieve full citizenship in our own country.