Harry Hay

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Harry Hay (April 7, 1912 – October 24, 2002) was a prominent American gay rights activist, labor advocate, and communist. He is best known for founding the Mattachine Society in 1950, one of the first LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations in the United States. Hay's work laid the groundwork for the modern gay rights movement, and he is considered a pioneer in advocating for the rights and acceptance of homosexuals in American society.

Early Life

Harry Hay was born in Worthing, England, and moved to the United States with his family at a young age. He grew up in California, where he was exposed to the burgeoning film industry and the radical political movements of the time. Hay's early experiences with homophobia and his involvement in left-wing politics would shape his activism in later years.

Activism

In the 1930s and 1940s, Hay became involved in the Communist Party USA, through which he engaged in labor organizing and other political activities. However, his commitment to advocating for gay rights eventually led to a split with the party, which did not support his views on homosexuality.

In 1950, Hay founded the Mattachine Society, an organization that sought to protect and improve the rights of gay men. The society was named after a medieval French secret society of masked men who, according to Hay, would criticize the ruling class during carnival time. The Mattachine Society was one of the first organizations to challenge the legal and social discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and it played a crucial role in the early stages of the gay rights movement.

Hay also helped organize the first gay rights march on the White House in 1965, and he was involved in the founding of other LGBTQ+ organizations, including the Radical Faeries, a movement that sought to reject heteronormative ideals and embrace LGBTQ+ culture.

Personal Life

Hay was openly gay at a time when homosexuality was largely considered immoral and illegal. His openness about his sexuality and his advocacy for gay rights were revolutionary. Hay's personal life, including his long-term relationships with men, was intertwined with his activism. He was married to a woman, Anita Platky, in the 1930s, but they divorced after Hay realized he could not live as a heterosexual man. He later had a long-term relationship with John Burnside, an inventor and fellow activist, with whom he lived until Burnside's death in 2008.

Legacy

Harry Hay's contributions to the gay rights movement are immeasurable. He was a visionary who saw the importance of creating a cohesive and supportive community for homosexuals at a time when such a concept was radical. Hay's work with the Mattachine Society and other organizations helped to lay the foundation for the progress in LGBTQ+ rights that would follow in the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st century.

Hay passed away on October 24, 2002, but his legacy lives on through the continued work of LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations and the annual celebrations of Pride Month that recognize the struggles and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community.

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