The Lavender Scare
How did the conditions of the Cold War lead to the criminalization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans?
How were gays and lesbians viewed and treated by the U.S. government?
Students will study the treatment of gay and lesbian federal workers during the period of McCarthyism.
Were the 1950s truly the “dark ages” for gay Americans as some historians have claimed?
Students will analyze 6 -10 (or more depending on the class) primary and secondary sources. These sources will serve as historical evidence for students as they determine their response to the inquiry question. After students read and annotate each source, they will then collaborate and create a DBQ Poster. The DBQ poster process requires students 1) to sort the sources into 2 or more categories, 2) to consider all historically relevant content and 3) construct a group thesis that directly answers the inquiry question.
The Legacy of the Hays Code
This lesson plan covers queer film representation from the 1920’s to 1970’s, specifically focusing on the impact of the Motion Picture Production Code, otherwise known as the Hays Code. The goal of this lesson is to explain the historical context behind LGBTQ+ stereotypes that still persist today in Western media.