The Homophile Movement emerged globally after World War II, primarily from the 1950s to the late 1960s, laying crucial groundwork for LGBTQ+ rights. Organizations like the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis in the U.S. sought to cultivate a sense of community and dignity among sexual minorities.
Key figures like Harry Hay, Del Martin, and Phyllis Lyon advocated for acceptance, often through educational efforts and by emphasizing the “wholesome” aspects of same-sex relationships, rather than overt political confrontation. Their goals included challenging discriminatory laws and providing social networks through publications like ONE Magazine.
While some early groups adopted cautious approaches to gain mainstream acceptance, others, like Frank Kameny’s Washington Mattachine Society, pushed for more radical visibility through pickets and sit-ins in the mid-1960s. The movement’s efforts, though often understated compared to post-Stonewall activism, fostered a collective identity and established the foundational organizations that paved the way for the broader Gay Liberation movement.
