Many of us grow accustomed to the way things have always been, and when they change, it can make us feel uncomfortable. Change is scary. Change also affords us the opportunity to evolve and grow. One big change we are experiencing is the increased visibility of gender diversity.
It can be hard to distinguish discomfort from danger. History is full of examples of social majority groups targeting marginalized ones when they fear losing control in a changing society such as during the Red Scare and the Lavender Scare.
After WWII, people were more open about their sexual orientation diversity. To be clear, lesbian, gay, and bisexual people always existed, but the American public was just beginning to recognize us. It was also a time of significant social upheaval, and fears of communism captured America’s imagination. One target of that fear was gay people who were described as 'perverts,' mentally ill, and threats to American national security including threats to others’ safety. It was feared being gay could be used by evil, communist actors as blackmail. The danger of communism was used by those with the majority of social power to persecute gay people, not necessarily because of their sexual orientation, but because it could be used against them.
There were campaigns against sexual diversity, portraying gay people as dangerous and criminalizing us. During this period, called the Lavender Scare, at least 5 thousand federal employees were fired because they were gay or suspected of being gay. Many, who were like the two of us, were targeted by police, attacked, and fired. Just like during the Lavender Scare, American society is becoming more socially conservative even as more and more people become aware of gender diversity. We are in a time of social panic, another lavender panic, mistaking discomfort for danger about gender.
Although gender diversity has always been a part of human experience, many are just now learning about transgender and nonbinary people. This new awareness can be unsettling. In this lavender panic, transgender and gender diverse people are being treated like predators – or the cover for predators – even though gender diverse individuals are more likely to be victimized. Framed as public debate, misinformation has spread about whether it is safe to show acceptance of gender diversity, including in restrooms. Presenting the issue as concern about other bad actors takingadvantage of accepting social norms promotes rather than prevents harm.
A small group of Monroe County, Michigan community members have spread misinformation and fear about accepting gender diversity while real abuse appears to have been taking place among people who fit traditional gender roles. Misleading words and yard signs unjustly hurt marginalized groups by projecting fears onto them. They also take attention away from actual abuse and cover up abuse happening in our places of worship, our athletics, and our schools.
Community leaders cannot afford to spend their resources engaging in another lavender panic or they risk creating real cover for the harm they fear. We need to continue to learn the lesson that accepting diversity, including gender diversity, makes the community safer, for those who are transgender and non-binary AND for those who fit traditional norms.
Learn more about the Lavender Scare at: https://www.history.com/news/state-department-gay-employees-outed-fired-lavender-scare
For education materials or to attend a learning workshop, contact us at MonroeSOGD@gmail.com
— Jenna Bazzell (she, her), poet and educator, and Melissa Grey (she, her), psychologist and educator, are members of Stronger Together Huddle, a group engaged in supporting and promoting the common good. They can also be reached at mcneil102@icloud.com.
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