of material readily available to the public; however, not

many people choose to gain sufficient knowledge on the

subject. Therefore, given the amount of materials and

opportunity for individuality the subject of homosexuality

seemed to be a prime choice for a paper. This paper will

address the history of persecution that gays suffered under

United States policies of the past, how they fought for the

rights that they now have, and what rights they eventually

Early US settlers believed that homosexuality was a

terrible crime, a crime punishable by death. The earliest

execution occurred in the year 1566 in St. Augustine

Florida, when a Frenchman was executed by Spanish military

authorities. Many such executions also occurred in colonial

Virginia, Connecticut, & New York. 1

At this time, Lesbians did not receive the death

penalty, although they did receive some harsh treatment.

However, in 1636 a proposal was made in the Massachusetts

Bay colony, requesting that women homosexuals receive the

same punishment as men, death.1 And in 1656 the New Haven

colony in Connecticut passed a law requiring death for both

weren't invoked very often, one man who was convicted of

Alfred Kinsey published studies showing that 37% of adult

treatment in efforts to force a cure. 3

found that some animals including monkeys exhibited same sex

government is opposed to granting homosexual couples the

Mississippi, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, South

life. Homosexuality was linked with Communism and

helped patrons of the bar fight back. Black and Civil

Some common words found in the essay are:
Utah Virginia, Radclyff Hall, , Thomas Jefferson, Cold War, Penal Code, Psychiatric Association, Black Civil, Beach Published, Massachusetts Bay, gay rights, 20th century, 20th century doctors, published studies, gay lesbians, century doctors, consenting adults, sex marriages, believed homosexuality, attitudes homosexuals, 76 cultures,
Approximate Word count = 1115
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)