Thanks to Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s ‘Lavender Scare’ culture, the 1950s’ became one of the most homophobic times in American history.   McCarthy  and his people created a world in which gay people were persecuted and ostracized both at work and at home.  After President Eisenhower’ issued an Executive ORder “sexual perversion”  it became grounds for the investigation and dismissal of federal employees. Taken together they created a climate that made one’s identification as homosexual an extremely dangerous label for gay people.

Gay men and women began finding community in the small hamlet of Cherry Grove in the late 1940s  and so by the troubled 1950’s it became a safe haven where people could take a reprieve for the toxic atmosphere in the City.

During that time  gay and lesbian members of this Cherry Grove beach community socialized openly (putting aside the ongoing police raids in the community’s “meat rack”), and often together with straight residents summering there. Costume-themed house parties and theatrical productions were all the rage in the Grove during the 1950’s, where gender fluidity, drag and costume provided an opportunity to openly express one’s homosexuality. While gay men may have initially come to Cherry Grove in the 1950’s primarily in pursuit of sex, men – and women – found a place that provided emotional and social support allowing gay and lesbians to flourish in a community unlike any other in the world.

Now the Cherry Grove Archives have assembled and restored some 60 stunning images from the late 1950’s which are going on Exhibit at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives in Wilton Manors, Florida.   The exhibition  curated by Brian Clark and Susan Kravitz will open on Friday, February 21, 2020, from 7 pm – 9 pm, with a curators’ talk at 7 pm.   The exhibit will remain on view until May 24, 2020. Stonewall Museum is free of charge. Suggested donation $5. .