Frank Kameny | Know everything about the life and work of Frank!

Welcome to the world of Frank Kameny | An inspiration to many!

Imagine you were outside a movie theater. Just as you were about to enter the hall, you were prevented from doing so because you were identified as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Instead of being granted the right to enter, you were then physically thrown out from the theater gates and were spit upon. 

In the 21st century, such a scenario is simply unacceptable or at least unimaginable. However, it was not so for Mr. Frank Kameny, ex-astronomer and Ph.D. holder from Harvard. Who was he? Well, that’s exactly what you’ll find out below.

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Frank Kameny | The difference maker

Born on the 21st of May, 1925 to Mr. and Mrs. Kameny, Franklin Edward Kameny was a gifted youngster. It was at the age of six, when most kids simply enjoy running about and playing, that he was aware of his passion, namely astronomy. He was enrolled in the Richmond Hill School. 

The years quickly slipped by, with Frank Kameny’s school yearbook mentioning his various honors, such as winning something called the ‘Scholarship Pin’ 5 times, and other distinctions such as being the President of his school’s Astronomy Club, etc. and so on. 

He was also part of various clubs and associations such as the Biology Club, Domino Club, Council of Nations, etc. The school yearbook describes his intellect in the following words, “The glory of a firm, capricious mind.” 

After graduating from school, he saw action in Europe during the Second World War, where he served his country with distinction. The following years saw him as a student at Queens College and later Harvard, where he completed his Ph.D.

A hard worker with a brilliant mind, he graduated from Harvard with a master’s degree and a doctorate in the field of astronomy. 

He began his professional life as a part of the Army Map Service of the DOD, where he rendered his skills as an astronomer. However, a few months later, he was fired from his job on the grounds of his sexual orientation due to something that took place in Lafayette Park. 

Angered and hurt by his dismissal, Frank Kameny never returned to his professional field but became a lifetime activist for LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans, Queer, Plus) community.

When Frank Kameny began seeking change for the LGBTQ community

He was the first person at the time to openly challenge his dismissal on the grounds of his sexual orientation and legally petitioned all the courts till the Supreme Court overturned his petition. 

From the 1960s onwards, he began campaigns for the inclusion of members of the LGBTQ+ into the daily lives of the people outside the White House. In 1961, he took his first concrete steps to fight the phobia (known as the Lavender Scare during that period) by co-founding the Washington D.C chapter of the Mattachine Society and the East Coast Homophile Organization (E.C.H.O) in 1963; these organizations stand to this day and continue to battle the stigma faced by the community.

The Mattachine Society was around for one to two decades before Kameny found its D.C chapter. It was formed in 1951 as the Mattachine Foundation, followed by its classification as the Mattachine Society between 1953 and 1961, and its eventual dissemination into several chapters with a central head between 1961 and 1970. It holds an important place in the hearts of the LGBTQ+ community because of its role in their history.

Frank Kameny continued to battle for the basic rights of the LGBTQ+ community in various ways, such as-

• By organizing events called the Annual Reminders in 1965
• Attending and leading demonstrations with notable LGBTQ+ rights activist Craig Rodwell till the year 1969 in front of the Philadelphia Independence Hall on the 4th of July
• Forcing the American Psychiatric Association to overturn its classification of homosexuality as a ‘borderline mental illness in the year 1973. Additionally, he deserves the credit along with Barbara Gittings, as both of them were a part of this campaign against the American Psychiatric Association.

Finally, two years later, the US Civil Services Commission overturned its decision regarding the ban on LGBTQ+ employees in 1975. 

His way of doing things during all those long years of struggle included–

• Tactically directed and placed comments or releases in the press
• Endless lobbying
• Various talk shows both on radio and TV
• Lectures and speeches across the country

Even though initially they were not successful, they bore fruit later on.

Frank Kameny was also remarkable as he campaigned not only for his case but also for the cases of countless other people who were facing the short end of the stick due to their orientation. 

Though the court cases did not often rule in their favor, Frank’s efforts ensured that they received justice.

When Frank Kameny was finally acknowledged

The years rolled swiftly by, when in 2009, more than 50 years after his unfair dismissal, Frank Edward Kameny received an official apology from the US Government.

After having lived a life rife with great struggle and even greater triumphs, Frank Kameny passed away on the 11th of October, 2011, a date known as the National Coming Out Day. 

Thus, Franklin Edward Kameny can be described as a man who was a true revolutionary, fighting for the basic dignity of a large group of people who faced discrimination at every turn. 

A brief timeline of the life of Franklin Edward Kameny

Date	Event
1925	Birth
1941	Graduation from Richmond Hill High
1943-45	Served in WWII
1945-48	Attended Queens College
1948	Masters and Ph.D. at Harvard
1957	Employed as an astronomer by DOD for Army Map Service
1957	Dismissal a few months after employment on the grounds of sexual orientation
1960	Beginning his campaign for LGBTQ+ rights
1961	Co-founded the Washington D.C chapter of the Mattachine Society
1963	Founded the East Coast Homophile Organization (E.C.H.O)
1965	Organizing and attending Annual Reminders
1965-69	Demonstrations in front of Philadelphia Independence Hall with Craig Rodwell
1973	Overturned American Psychiatric Association classification of homosexuality as ‘borderline mental disorder with Barbara Gittings
2009	Receives official pardon from US Government
2011	Passes away

Key takeaways

• A promising astronomer was on the wrong end of society due to his sexual orientation. It started a life of endless attempts to make the world a better place for everyone.
• He did all he could in his powers to overrun the decision in his favor. But he also fought for others and their rights and helped everyone to get what they deserve.
• He was a revolutionary in its true sense. He may not have picked up arms, but his fight was bigger than that and made a real difference to our society.

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FAQs

Q1. Who was Frank Kameny?

Answer – One of the foremost champions of LGBTQ+ rights and the first person to openly campaign for the same.

Q2. When was homosexuality’s definition by American Psychiatric Association overturned?

Answer – The definition of homosexuality by the American Psychiatric Association was overturned in 1973.

Q3. What notable organizations were founded by Frank Kameny?

Answer – The notable organizations founded by Frank Kameny were the Washington D.C chapter of the Mattachine Society and the East Coast Homophile Organization (E.C.H.O) in 1961 and 1963, respectively.