The Parallels between the “Lavender Scare” and the “Red Scare”

The “Lavender Scare” was a phenomenon observed during the 1950s which led to the gross dismissal of people who were homosexual or were accused to be involved in homosexual activities. The “Lavendar Scare” was often amalgamated with “Red Scare” which like the “Lavendar Scare” was a paradigm that invoked widespread public panic in the United States due to it having communistic roots.  Furthermore, at the time, homosexuality was widely associated with communism. Hence, over time, this association led to the “Lavendar Scare”.  Senator Joseph McCarthy, a relatively well-known figure during the 50s, mostly due to his charade against homophobia which he used to promote his anti-communist agenda, became a victim of smearing, more specifically sexual smearing even though a huge part of his public conduct was directed against homosexuality. Andrea Friedman, in her article “The Smearing of Joe McCarthy: The Lavender Scare, Gossip, and Cold War Politics” states that how during the Cold War, liberals weaponized the “Lavendar Scare” and the “Red Scare “to pursue their own selfish agendas.

Sen. Joseph McCarthy, prior to becoming a senator in Washington, displayed himself as a man who had humble beginnings and a man who rose through the ranks to become a senator. He also portrayed himself as a tough guy and his personality often conflicted or clashed with his political opponents. Moving forward from his personality and character, Joe McCarthy’s support of the Lavendar Scare was what cemented the way to the gross campaign of smearing against him by his opponents (which were both journalists and politicians).  Drew Pearson, a journalist, was at the forefront of people who tried to discredit him after the Wheeling speech. In response, McCarthy, attacked him at a party and later started spreading rumors about Pearson molesting an African American boy in his youth. As a result, Pearson stopped his criticisms. After Pearson, Hank Greenspun, another journalist started to discredit McCarthy, calling him both a communist and a homosexual in his journalistic columns. Things began to really take a turn for the worse when McCarthy hired Roy Cohn and his friend G. David Schine. Both were accused of being sexually involved during their fact-finding tour to Europe and a year prior when they fought in Florida. When the army started investigating David Schine’s draft status, Cohn tried to manipulate the investigation by calling in his connections which gave the army leverage. Furthermore, McCarthy’s emotional episode with Frank Keefe which was broadcasted gave hints that He wasn’t the man he pretended to be and that He was at least involved in homoerotic relations. Lastly, the final nail in the wall was struck during the public hearings when Roy Cohn was seen frequently whispering into McCarthy’s ear, leaving many to speculate that Joe McCarthy was Roy Cohn’s pawn and that the relationship between them was also sexual (Friedman). Therefore, the smearing of Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s credibility shows how anticommunism and homophobia were used to vindicate discrimination and persecution based on the belief that communism was associated with homosexuality.

Sexual Innuendos are still indeed used in politics today but are not that widespread nor are that direct as they were during and before the Cold War. A good example can be Elon Musk’s treatment of employees in his company: SpaceX. He was accused of several allegations of sexual misconduct. However, despite this, he continues to be involved in politics and was recently seen and even gave a speech in President Donald Trump’s inauguration.