Washington D.C.
Military psychiatrists warn that “psychopathic personality disorders” make homosexual individuals unfit to fight. The military issues the first formal regulations to list homosexuality as an excludable characteristic. Those in the military identified as homosexuals can be discharged and denied veterans benefits.
Washington D.C.
The U.S. military, under the influence of the psychiatric establishment, revises codes on homosexual behavior as part of a general revision of regulations brought on by World War II. Previously, soldiers could only be expelled if they were witnessed committing “sodomy;” henceforth, “homosexual” is sufficient cause for dismissal. The Army begins asking entering soldiers about their sexual orientations and expel any recruits or active-duty soldiers who “admit” to their homosexuality, whether or not they have ever acted on these desires. These expulsions are known as “blue discharges” because of the color of the paper on which they are printed. Approximately 100,000 Americans are discharged on this basis over the next 50 years.
Michigan
Club Frontenac in Detroit postpones female impersonator show due to arrest of stars on morals charges.
National
First appearance of "homosexual" in federal court case. Cain v. Universal Pictures Co., Inc., 47 F. Supp. 1013 (S.D. Cal. 1942)
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
United States LGBT History for 1942
State equality and discrimination bills
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