Harry Hay

Date of Birth: April 7, 1912

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: October 24, 2002

Biography

Harry Hay was an influential American gay rights activist, labor advocate, and a founder of the modern LGBTQ+ movement. Born in Worthing, England, he moved to the United States early in his childhood. Hay is best known for founding the Mattachine Society in 1950, one of the first sustained gay rights groups in the United States. His work laid the groundwork for future LGBTQ+ advocacy and activism. Throughout his life, Hay was dedicated to civil rights and social justice, advocating not only for gay rights but also for labor rights and other progressive causes. His passion for social change and equality made him an enduring figure in the history of American activism.

5 Interesting Facts about Harry Hay

1. Harry Hay was a member of the Communist Party USA, which influenced his approach to organizing and activism.

2. He helped organize the Los Angeles chapter of the Workers Alliance in the 1930s.

3. Hay was a vocal opponent of the assimilationist approach to gay rights, advocating instead for the recognition and celebration of gay culture.

4. He co-founded the Radical Faeries in 1979, a spiritual movement that seeks to redefine queer identity through community and nature.

5. Despite his contributions to the LGBTQ+ movement, Hay faced significant criticism and ostracism due to his early affiliations with communism during the Red Scare.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harry Hay

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

2. “We are a separate people, a people different from heterosexuals.”

3. “Radical faeries are not about acceptance by the mainstream. We are about creating an alternative.”

4. “Assimilation is a lie. We must build our own community.”

5. “The dignity of the individual is paramount.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Harry Hay’s activism was more about social change than personal wealth. His financial worth was modest, and he did not accumulate significant wealth during his lifetime.