Gay is Good: The Life and Letters of Gay Rights Pioneer Franklin Kameny

A lively look at the life of a civil rights hero, as revealed by his letters. By the late 1950s, Frank Kameny (b. 1925) had a promising career as an astronomer with the Army Map Service, and dreams of becoming an astronaut. When word of an earlier incident resulting in his arrest for “lewd and indecent acts” at a gay cruising spot reached his employer, Kameny was fired and barred from working for the federal government, his career aspirations quickly put to rest. This humiliating incident helped him to find his life’s work: fighting discrimination against homosexuals in the federal government. He started an intense letter-writing campaign targeting various government officials, including J.F.K. He was also the founding member of the Mattachine Society of Washington, which organized marches and raised public awareness for the cause. His letters, both personal and public, provide insights into various aspects of Kameny’s life: he was a careful activist who insisted that all participants in marches dress conservatively, but also a son who was upset that his mother did not understand or support his work. Kameny was often demanding to work with, but he achieved remarkable progress. This collection is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the gay rights movement. (Dec.)