Honors Projects

Lucas LinerFollow

Abstract

The ongoing LGBTQ rights movement saw one of its biggest victories in the landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which recognized same-sex marriages in the United States. This decision was affected by not just scientific understanding of homosexual persons, but by artistic portrayal, demonstrations, and previous judicial decisions regarding homosexuality. The course of the American LGBTQ rights movement seems to run parallel to that of the German gay rights movement of the early 20th century, with a coming together of science, law, and art leading to change, both public and political. This paper highlights the work of Magnus Hirschfeld, a Polish-born sexologist who championed the German gay rights movement, as well as Charles Silverstein, an American therapist who helped to get the diagnosis of homosexuality removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). The topics of conversion therapy and the so-called “bathroom bills” in states such as North Carolina are discussed as parts of the movement which are not yet resolved, which will likely require a multi-faceted movement combining artistic, scientific, and judicial understanding of LGBTQ persons in order to effect change, and inspire future generations of queer people to help effect such change.

Department

Psychology

Major

Psychology

First Advisor

Kristie Foell

First Advisor Department

German, Russian, and East Asian Languages

Second Advisor

Carolyn Tompsett

Second Advisor Department

Psychology

Publication Date

Summer 7-10-2017

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