Harry Hay

Date of Birth: April 7, 1912

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: October 24, 2002

Biography

Harry Hay, born Henry “Harry” Hay Jr., was an American LGBTQ+ rights activist, labor advocate, and a key figure in the early gay liberation movement. He was born on April 7, 1912, in Worthing, Sussex, England, and moved to the United States at a young age. Hay is best known for founding the Mattachine Society in 1950, one of the first sustained gay rights groups in the United States. His efforts laid the groundwork for future LGBTQ+ advocacy and helped to shape the modern gay rights movement. Throughout his life, Hay was also active in the Communist Party and labor movements, and he remained a vocal advocate for social justice until his death. He passed away on October 24, 2002, in San Francisco, California.

5 Interesting Facts about Harry Hay

1. Harry Hay founded the Mattachine Society in 1950, one of the earliest LGBTQ+ rights organizations in the United States.

2. He was also a proponent of Native American rights and participated in the American Indian Movement.

3. Hay was a member of the Communist Party USA and was deeply influenced by Marxist ideology.

4. He co-founded the Radical Faeries, a spiritual movement that seeks to redefine queer identity through a blend of pagan spirituality and activism.

5. Harry Hay was a trained classical pianist and was passionate about music throughout his life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harry Hay

1. “We are the only minority that doesn’t have a cultural history. We have a social history, but we don’t have a cultural history. And we need one.”

2. “Out of the closets and into the streets!”

3. “The assimilationist movement is one of the biggest dangers to our culture.”

4. “We must declare ourselves liberated from the heterosexual norms imposed upon us.”

5. “Being gay means being part of a unique culture that has its own history and values.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Harry Hay was not known for his wealth. His highest net worth is not documented as his life was largely dedicated to activism and social causes rather than financial gain.