 |
| The original "Rock" |
Those protective subterfuges were occurring during the "red witch-hunts" led by Senator Joseph McCarthy through the House Un-American Activities Committee, a campaign that spread from exposing "commies" to exposing "queers" in government, a dangerous time Hofler vividly evokes.
Even the FBI became involved in an investigation of Hudson's sex activities, despite the fact that insiders knew that FBI head J. Edgar Hoover was gay and, it was steadfastly rumored, had appeared at a New Year's eve party in drag with his friend Cardinal Spellman. The bully at McCarthy's right hand was Roy Cohn, who eventually died of AIDS, and who, during the hearings to expose "commies and queers," was accompanied by his lover, David Schine.
Exposure was not the only reason for hiding. A sex act in private between consenting adults was punishable with years in prison. Men dancing with men in clubs might be arrested for "lewd conduct." A vice raid on an innocuous pajama party netted Arthur Gelien, who five years later became Tab Hunter.
Wily maneuvers witnessed by this reviewer were needed to overcome such arrests. In a club in Topanga Canyon, lights flashing off and on warned same-sex couples on the dance floor to shift partners. Gay men would dance with lesbians, a legal coupling.
Thwarting a raid by provoking embarrassment, the pianist in a Hollywood gay bar would burst into the strains of the bridal march when a cop and a member of the shore patrol were identified walking down the stairs together like a couple.
 |
| Madison Avenue B & B in the 1950s and 60s |
 |
| My other dress is a dress (with sequins). |
 |
"There is no Cosa Nostra"
|
 |
| Roy - "I'll just watch." |
 |
| "Oh Lindsey" - "Oh Mitchelle" - "What a beautiful dress." http://republicansindrag.blogspot.com/2013/01/celebrate.html |
.
No comments:
Post a Comment