The Roaring 20s were a great time for the LGBT community. First of all, with the Prohibition on the rise, speakeasies and illegal bars were becoming common. This was also the time period where the first gay bars were being opened. These bars were a place "where homosexuals could meet each other, and drag performances were just one part of the entertainment." As well as gay bars coming into play, the Roaring 20s were a time when sexual liberation was praised, especially for women. After World War 1, there were many more women in the workplace. Women were finally being acknowledged for their contribution to society, and the women's rights movement was gaining traction. There were women who ran bars and speakeasies, many of whom also happened to be lesbians. The flapper girls' ideas were defying gender stereotypes and getting more freedom for women. They would wear shorter clothes that could have been seen as scandalous at the time, and wore their hair short as well. Women were attempting to change people's image of them, and this also involved their sexuality. Women would live together and be in romantic relationships and people wouldn't bat an eye, as this was becoming normal for the time.
Another thing that contributed to the spreading of gay culture was the Harlem Renaissance. Many artists, musicians, and authors alike were openly gay or bisexual, and it showed in their music. Singers would write about their lovers and experiences with those of the same sex. Harlem was known for its art, known for the joyous attitude, streets filled with singers and parties taking place all over. These parties specifically were known for being welcome to all. There would be costume parties where men could wear dresses and makeup, and were often praised for looking better than the women in their clothes. Another type of party that took place were rent parties, where people were charged admission to the party in order to help pay rent. "The dancing and merriment would continue until dawn, and by morning the landlord could be paid. Lesbians and gay men were active participants in rent parties," says one article on the subject. The Harlem Renaissance and the fact that African Americans from all over the South were brought together in this one city allowed for homosexuality and acceptance to take root in the area.
Unfortunately, this Golden Era for homosexuality had to come to an end. This awakening came in the form of the Great Depression. As the stock markets crashed, everyone began to lose hope, so a religious revival took place to boost morale. As discussed before, homophobia seems to be a very Christian concept, so with this revival came the restriction of homosexuals once again. Being gay was enough to get people fired from their jobs, and the majority of gay bars were shut down during this time as well. It became illegal to mention homosexuality or any of its variants onstage, and "the new Hollywood production code prohibited gay characters and even talk of homosexuality in films." Once again, gay rights were pushed into the background. Luckily, after World War 2, the movement began in earnest.
Another thing that contributed to the spreading of gay culture was the Harlem Renaissance. Many artists, musicians, and authors alike were openly gay or bisexual, and it showed in their music. Singers would write about their lovers and experiences with those of the same sex. Harlem was known for its art, known for the joyous attitude, streets filled with singers and parties taking place all over. These parties specifically were known for being welcome to all. There would be costume parties where men could wear dresses and makeup, and were often praised for looking better than the women in their clothes. Another type of party that took place were rent parties, where people were charged admission to the party in order to help pay rent. "The dancing and merriment would continue until dawn, and by morning the landlord could be paid. Lesbians and gay men were active participants in rent parties," says one article on the subject. The Harlem Renaissance and the fact that African Americans from all over the South were brought together in this one city allowed for homosexuality and acceptance to take root in the area.
Unfortunately, this Golden Era for homosexuality had to come to an end. This awakening came in the form of the Great Depression. As the stock markets crashed, everyone began to lose hope, so a religious revival took place to boost morale. As discussed before, homophobia seems to be a very Christian concept, so with this revival came the restriction of homosexuals once again. Being gay was enough to get people fired from their jobs, and the majority of gay bars were shut down during this time as well. It became illegal to mention homosexuality or any of its variants onstage, and "the new Hollywood production code prohibited gay characters and even talk of homosexuality in films." Once again, gay rights were pushed into the background. Luckily, after World War 2, the movement began in earnest.