Harry Hay
Overview
Henry "Harry" Hay, Jr. was a labor advocate, teacher and early leader in the American LGBT rights movement. He is known for his roles in helping to found several gay organizations, including the Mattachine Society
, the first sustained gay rights group in the United States.
Hay was exposed early in life to the principles of Marxism
and to the idea of same-sex sexual attraction. He drew upon these experiences to develop his view of homosexuals as a cultural minority.
Mattachine Society
The Mattachine Society, founded in 1950, was one of the earliest homophile organizations in the United States, probably second only to Chicago’s Society for Human Rights . Harry Hay and a group of Los Angeles male friends formed the group to protect and improve the rights of homosexuals...
, the first sustained gay rights group in the United States.
Hay was exposed early in life to the principles of Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
and to the idea of same-sex sexual attraction. He drew upon these experiences to develop his view of homosexuals as a cultural minority.
