Ben Waber reviewed The Lavender Scare by David K. Johnson
An Important, Chilling Account of a Shameful Period of US History
5 stars
This period of American history is unfortunately more relevant than it's been in decades, and this book is an excellent in-depth account of the legislative and bureaucratic efforts to systematically ban, demonize, and ostracize LGBTQ+ people from the government and beyond. Johnson shows how the resistance activities that built up against these activities are arguably responsible for some of the gay rights movement's biggest wins in the 1970s, and represents a blueprint for the present. Highly recommend
This period of American history is unfortunately more relevant than it's been in decades, and this book is an excellent in-depth account of the legislative and bureaucratic efforts to systematically ban, demonize, and ostracize LGBTQ+ people from the government and beyond. Johnson shows how the resistance activities that built up against these activities are arguably responsible for some of the gay rights movement's biggest wins in the 1970s, and represents a blueprint for the present. Highly recommend
