The "lavender scare" refers to the rampant fear and persecution of homosexuals in the United States during the 1950's, in the McCarthy era. Homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness, and gays and lesbians were feared to become susceptible to be blackmailed into agents on behalf of the communist Soviet Union.
    
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Thursday, June 18
Word of the Gay: "Lavender Scare"
The "lavender scare" refers to the rampant fear and persecution of homosexuals in the United States during the 1950's, in the McCarthy era. Homosexuality was regarded as a mental illness, and gays and lesbians were feared to become susceptible to be blackmailed into agents on behalf of the communist Soviet Union.
