Quakers and the Rise of the Gay Liberation Movement, 1946-1972, by Brian T. Blackmore

This exhibit highlights Quaker endeavors and projects aimed at supporting the advancement of gay, lesbian, and bisexual rights in the United States from 1946 to 1973. During this period, Quakers established the first organization in the nation aimed at reducing the harm caused by the criminalization of homosexuality. Known for their long history of standing in solidarity with marginalized and oppressed communities, Quakers also wrote the first public and positive evaluation of gay and lesbian sexuality from a religious perspective. This exhibit spotlights the experiences of Bayard Rustin, an openly gay Black Quaker and civil rights leader, and many lesser-known lesbian, gay, and bisexual Quakers who were leaders of homophile and gay liberation organizations. It includes images and documents collected from periodicals, pamphlets, business minutes, and personal papers showing how Quakers challenged Christian moral codes and advocated for cultural change and legal reforms.  The components of this exhibit were first explored as part of the author’s Ph.D. thesis at Temple University and subsequently appeared in his 2025 book, To Hear and To Respond: The Quakers’ Groundbreaking Push for Gay Liberation, 1946-1973. Published originally on OutHistory in October 2026.