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History Day - Post War United States (1945-1968)

Lavender Scare

Lavender Scare targeted homosexuals.

See also:

Lavender Scare Government Publications

Many of these may be found online through our subscription databases as well as freely accessed websites.

See also the links to other libraries' guides (below).

Federal

Congress

  • Senator Joseph McCarthy spoke on Senate floor. Congressional Record, 81st Congress, 2nd Session, Vol. 96, Part 2, pp. 1952–1981
  • Congressional Record. Feb 20, 1945. Extension of Remarks (Appendix) by Joseph Clark Baldwin (NY) in reference to Caligula and the downfall of Rome.
  • Report of the Joint Special Committee to Investigate Chinese Immigration. (1877)
  • 1891 immigration law
  • Immigration Act of 1917
  • 1917 Navy investigation at Newport Naval Station. In response, Articles of War were updated in 1920-21.
  • 1921 Senate Naval Affairs Committee recommended discharge of "suspected perverts."
  • 1921 Army Regulation 40-105 - screened recruits for medical defects and included sexual orientation.
  • Tariff Act of 1922 and Tariff Act of 1930 - Customs Service was not to allow "obscene" materials from other countries into the United States.
  • 1944 War Department Circular No. 3 addressed same-sex relations within military.
  • 1944 WAC training camp at Fort Oglethorpe screened women.
  • Employment of Moral Perverts by Government Agencies

Courts

  • Supreme Court Opinions 1952. Sweeney v. Woodall.
  • One, Incv. Olesen 
    • 241 F.2d 772, reversed. Eric Julberfor petitioner. Solicitor General Rankin, Acting Assistant Attorney General Leonard and Samuel D. Slade for respondent. PER CURIAM. The petition for writ of certiorari is granted and the judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is reversed. Roth v. United States, 354 U.S. 476.

Executive Branch

Lavender Scare Books, etc.

A few examples.

Search our catalog and databases for more. Always check date of publication to put information into historical context.

Articles, Databases, etc. - Lavender Scare

A few examples.

Search our databases for more. Always check date of publication to put information into historical context.

Articles

  • "History of LGBT: Federal Law and Policy" in Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History in America. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 2004.

Databases

A few suggestions.

Other Institutions - Lavender Scare

Federal

National Archives - NARA

Library of Congress (LOC)

Executive Branch

Others

Terminology and Usage Disclaimer

Please be advised that some of these resources--particularly those created in previous eras--contain descriptions for ancestral, racial, ethnic, and gender identity that may be offensive or harmful to individuals investigating these records, and are considered inappropriate to use in modern times. The descriptions and treatment of historically marginalized groups, women, and animals may be upsetting. Also, please note that inclusion in this subject guide does not necessarily constitute endorsement of the views therein--we encourage investigators to use their own judgment when evaluating books, websites, articles, documents, and other resources.

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