Society for Human Rights Founded (1924)

Wed Dec 10, 1924

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The Society for Human Rights, founded by Henry Gerber in Illinois on this day in 1924, was the first gay rights organization in the United States. The Society for Human Rights also published the earliest-documented homosexual periodical, Friendship and Freedom. Although Gerber (shown) founded the group, a black clergyman named John T. Graves was its first president, with Gerber serving as a director.

Gerber set out to expand the Society’s membership beyond the original seven but had difficulty interesting anyone other than poorer gays in joining. More affluent members of Chicago’s gay community refused to join his society, not wanting to ruin their reputations by being associated with homosexuality.

The Society was only a chartered organization for a few months before police arrested Gerber and several other members. After their arrests, the Chicago Examiner reported the story under the headline “Strange Sex Cult Exposed”.

Gerber was subjected to three highly publicized trials, and his defense, while ultimately successful, cost him his life savings. Unable to continue funding the Society, the group dismantled, and Gerber left for New York City, embittered that none of the wealthier gays of Chicago had come to his aid for a cause he believed was designed to advance the common good.