California
The Mattachine Society, the first national gay rights organization, is formed by Harry Hay, considered by many to be the founder of the gay rights movement.
Oregon
Portland police official Earl Biggs publishes his book Sex, Science and Sin: A Study of Normal and Abnormal Sex Activity of Our Time in Relation to Science, The Law, and Religion, in which he argues for the decriminalization of consensual homosexual behavior. After 20 years on the police force investigating sex crimes, Biggs comes to the conclusion that society is unjust in bringing the criminal law to bear on consensual behavior. As a result of the publication, Biggs is contacted by Dr. Alfred Kinsey. The two develop a warm friendship. Biggs visits the Kinsey Institute the following year, and Kinsey comes to Portland a few months after that.
California
A Senate report titled "Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government" is distributed to members of Congress after the federal government had covertly investigated employees' sexual orientation at the beginning of the Cold War. The report states since homosexuality is a mental illness, homosexuals "constitute security risks" to the nation because "those who engage in overt acts of perversion lack the emotional stability of normal persons."
Over the previous few years, more than 4,380 gay men and women had been discharged from the military and around 500 fired from their jobs with the government. The purging will become known as the "lavender scare."
Washington D.C.
Army Regulation 600-443 is published, identifying three categories of homosexuals. Those deemed to be aggressive are placed in Class I and are subjected to general court-martial. Homosexuals considered active but non-aggressive are placed in Class II and can avoid a court-martial by accepting a dishonorable discharge or resigning if they are officers. Personnel professing or exhibiting homosexual tendencies without committing a violation of the sodomy statute are designated “Class III,” and can be removed from service under general or honorable discharge.
Michigan
U. S. Rep. Clare E. Hoffman of Michigan blasts the employment of homosexuals in government.
President Harry S. Truman
Oregon
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission allows the reinstatement of a Portland bar’s liquor license only with the proviso that it cease drag shows. Beginning in 1949, Portland police began undercover infiltration of bars to report on drag shows, same sex dancing, and sexual solicitation.
New York
New York becomes the first U.S. state to reduce sodomy from a felony to a misdemeanor.
United States LGBT History for 1950
Washington D.C.
Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government: Interim Report Submitted to the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Department (Hoey Report) U.S. Senate. S.Doc. 241. 81st Congress, 2nd Session, 1950.
National
Donald Windham a writer publishes “The Dog Star”, which is about a love affair between a New York stockbroker whose wife has left him and a 17-year-old Italian boy in Rome, and “Tanaquil”, which is based on the life of George Platt Lynes
Washington D.C.
Under Secretary of State John Puerifoy speaks of a “pervert peril” in testimony before Congress. A Senate hearing reveals the majority of State Department dismissals are based on accusations of homosexuality. A Senate report titled “Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government” is distributed to members of Congress after the federal government had covertly investigated employees’ sexual orientation at the beginning of the Cold War. The report states since homosexuality is a mental illness, homosexuals “constitute security risks” to the nation because “those who engage in overt acts of perversion lack the emotional stability of normal persons.” Over the previous few years, more than 4,380 gay men and women had been discharged from the military and around 500 fired from their jobs with the government. The Senate approves further wide-ranging investigation of homosexuals “and other moral perverts” in national government. The purging will become known as the “lavender scare.”
Washington D.C.
A Senate hearing reveals the majority of State Department dismissals are based on accusations of homosexuality; Senate approves wide-ranging investigation of homosexuals “and other moral perverts” in national government
Washington D.C.
Report of the Investigations of the Junior Senator of Nebraska on the Infiltration of Subversives and Moral Perverts into the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government (file courtesy of ProQuest) U.S. Senate. Committee on Appropriations for the District of Columbia. S. print 4179. 81st Congress, Second Session, 1950.
State equality and discrimination bills
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