Are We Going Through the Lavender Scare Again? Revisiting the 1940s–1960s
- I Am Me Inc
- Aug 31
- 5 min read
In the mid-20th century, amidst the Cold War tensions in the United States, a concurrent government campaign took place coined the Lavender Scare. A systematic effort to target and remove an estimated 7,000-10,000 LGBTQ+ individuals from federal employment, motivated by anti-communist paranoia and McCarthyism, took place concurrently with the Red Scare. Motivated by fears that homosexuality was linked to moral weakness and national vulnerability, this era of bureaucratic repression heightened public intolerance and the criminalization of LGBTQ+ individuals.
While much has changed since the 1960s, Donald Trump’s revival of Eisenhower-era-style policies raises a disturbing question; Are we witnessing a modern-day Lavender Scare? As anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, legislation, moral panic, and the prohibition of LGBTQ+ events like Drag Story Hour increase, past attitudes appear to be resurfacing and evolving to suit the current era. While there is no federal executive order today removing LGBTQ+ individuals from government positions, the portrayal of queer identities as threats to societal norms remains alarmingly familiar.
Let's Take a Look at the Lavender Scare
The Lavender Scare emerged in the late 1940s and intensified through the 1950s, peaking during Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist crusade. There was a specific belief that gay men and lesbians were not only seen as immoral but also considered security risks, as they were allegedly susceptible to blackmail by foreign agents. This resulted in the creation of a bipartisan, two-person congressional committee tasked with investigating homosexuals in government, deeming them unfit for public service. At the same time, homosexuality was labeled a "sociopathic personality disturbance" in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, reinforcing the notion of mental unfitness. Together, these actions fueled widespread stigma and discrimination. In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Executive Order 10450, explicitly barring individuals with "sexual perversion" from holding federal jobs. Thousands of suspected LGBTQ+ employees were fired or forced to resign across government agencies, and many were outed, harassed, and subjected to humiliating investigations.
The Lavender Scare extended beyond Washington, spreading fear and silence across the country. Being labeled as homosexual could mean the loss of employment, social status, and personal safety. Allies were also targeted and dismissed not because of their own sexuality or identity, but merely for their association with LGBTQ+ individuals. In search of safety from the broader community, Queer individuals established safe space districts within cities for support and protection. The Lavender Scare went largely unchallenged for decades, with few mainstream defenders of LGBTQ+ rights. It was a period defined by enforced invisibility, shame, and the destruction of countless lives.
The Modern Lavender Scare
In the 2020s, a wave of legislation and political rhetoric targeting LGBTQ+ people has reignited fears of a renewed cultural purge. Dozens of U.S. states have passed or proposed bills restricting the discussion of LGBTQ+ topics in schools (commonly labeled “Don’t Say Gay” laws), prohibiting drag shows, censoring school curricula, and restricting teachers' expression and identity. Simultaneously, books featuring LGBTQ+ characters and themes have become some of the most frequently banned titles in school libraries.
LGBTQ+ teachers and public servants have increasingly found themselves under scrutiny, with some losing their jobs simply for acknowledging their identity or defending inclusive policies. Social media has intensified this culture war, as conservative influencers and politicians brand LGBTQ+ individuals as "groomers" or dangers to children, thereby resurrecting a slanderous narrative that was central to the Lavender Scare.
Much like President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who used Cold War fears to justify attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, President Donald Trump has responded to anti-LGBTQ+ demands with a series of executive orders:
*Executive Order 14187-Halting federal funding for Gender Affirming Care for Minors
*Executive Order 14183-Banning Transgender individuals from serving in the military
*Executive Order 14168-Removal of LGBTQ+ references from federal websites and documents
*Executive Order 14173-Dismantles Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs
*Executive Order 14075 (Rescinded)-Protections against conversion therapy, affirming care and safe environments for LGBTQ+ youth
In addition to these orders, the Trump administration deprioritized efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, opposed the Equality Act, sought to legally redefine “sex” to exclude gender identity and sexual orientation, and supported policies enabling discrimination in housing, healthcare, the prison system, and foster care.
Similarities and Differences
There are evident similarities between the Lavender Scare and today's environment. Both eras are led by Presidents who are anti-LGBTQ+, motivated by fear, misinformation, and a desire to regulate morality. LGBTQ+ individuals become emblematic targets for broader societal fears. In the Lavender Scare, the focus was on communism and national security; today, the concerns are about gender, tradition, and the future of the American family.
However, today’s landscape is also markedly different. LGBTQ+ people now enjoy broader legal protections and greater public visibility. Pride celebrations, corporate sponsorships, and social media platforms have allowed queer individuals to create community and resist repression more visibly. Activism is more organized, and public support, especially among younger generations, remains strong despite political efforts to erode it.
Still, these differences should not be mistaken for immunity. This administration has demonstrated that legal protections can be overturned, public opinion can shift, and history shows that rights once gained can be lost if not actively defended. It also suggests that old prejudices are not disappearing but evolving to fit a new political moment.
Why This History Matters Now
Revisiting the Lavender Scare could be a warning from the past. It reminds us that discrimination, when sanctioned by the state and fueled by fear, can rapidly become systemic. It shows how easily a society can rationalize the exclusion and punishment of people simply for who they are. Moreover, it shows how the silence of bystanders, institutions, and allies enables persecution to flourish.
The lessons of the Lavender Scare urge us to recognize today's moral panic for what it is; a dangerous effort to suppress queer identity under the guise of protecting society. Whether it's book bans or legislative attacks on trans youth, these actions are part of a broader campaign to push LGBTQ+ people back into the shadows. I don't know about you, but I refuse to retreat back into the closet!
Are we going through the Lavender Scare again? Not in the exact same way but the spirit of that era has undeniably resurfaced. What are your thoughts? Is History repeating itself? Let us know in the comment section...
I hope you found value in our monthly educational blog, published on the first Monday of each month, which highlights the lives of LGBTQ+ events and individuals throughout history. Understanding history is crucial as it sheds light on our experiences, contributions, and the societal changes that are necessary. If you have a suggestion for a person to feature or wish to create an I Am Me History Blog, please reach out to Peirrce M. at peirrce@iammecorp.org.
Thank you for dedicating time to History!
Notes:
Retrieved from National Archives Foundation
Retrieved from National Park Service
Retrieved Time
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