“More Than Just Marriage” Examines Lesser-Known Aspects of Gay Rights Struggle

The struggle for gay rights and dignity extends well beyond the debate over gay marriage: a 1950s backlash against gays in the federal government, surprising support for gays in the Christian community, and events and trends across Florida communities today.
The New College Gender Studies Program is sponsoring “History, Social Change and the LGBTQ Community: More Than Just Marriage,” a panel discussion of developments in the gay rights struggle, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 in the Mildred Sainer Pavilion of the College’s Caples Campus. The discussion is open to the public and admission is free.
The featured speaker is David K. Johnson, associate professor of history at University of South Florida. Johnson is the author of “The Lavender Scare: The Cold War Persecution of Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Government.” His 2004 book is a definitive analysis of the purge of gays from the U.S. Department of State and other agencies, a related and parallel effort to the McCarthy crusade against communists. The book won several awards, including the Herbert Hoover Book Award. A documentary film based on the book is in production.
Heather White, adjunct assistant professor of religion at New College of Florida, will speak on “1960s Protestant Churches and the Rise of Gay Rights.” White’s research has examined the history of Protestant church debates over homosexuality, reappraising the involvement of Christian leaders and laity in the history of gay and lesbian movement organizing. White received her doctorate from Princeton University and has taught at New College since 2011.
Ken Shelin, former Sarasota City Commissioner and board member at Equality Florida, will discuss “The State of LGBTQ Rights in Florida Now.” Shelin won several awards during his career in the Food and Drug Administration and while on the Sarasota city commission, he led the effort to persuade the commission to provide domestic partner healthcare benefits to city employees.
This event is free and open to the public. Contact the Gender Studies Program at [email protected] or 487-4645 for more information.