How is described the gay community in the early 20th century?

Question

In terms of how society treated them and how they developed their relationships.

Answer 1

Well I was born in 1930. There was no 'gay community'. In fact there were no 'gays' or 'queers' nor 'homos. Anyone who was a bit effeminate was usually referred to as mommas boy or pansy.
Homosexuality was not spoken about in school or at home. Occasionally the minister would say how sinful it was. Consequently many homosexuals figured it would just go away once they were married. This actually continued right into the mid 50s. I know because by that time I was married. I'm here to tell you - it doesn't go away. So after 22 years and 3 kids a divorce was imminent. That's why you find so many gay men who are over 60 were married at one time. Seems hard to understand in this day and age, but believe me, we were never taught anything different.
The only ones who actually got into a relationship, were those who worked positions where gays were a majority and it was easier to meet someone. There were no gay bars until the 50s other than in a few prominent cities like San Fransisco and New York (Fire Island). Even in the late 50s, gay parties and get-togethers were held in private homes.
I could go on, but suffice to say, it was because of our generation that to-days freedoms exist. Be glad you were born at the right time.

Answer 2

The word "gay" did not come into popular usage (at least in the United States) until well into the 1970's. Before that, the objectionable terms like "queer" and "pansy" were used to describe the behavior. Except for larger cities like New York or San Francisco, the homosexual blended into the population and was really kept "in the closet."
Growing up (I am 54 years old now) I cannot remember having any role models or persons to look up to because the homosexual was so vilified, or was "something we don't talk about." Often a boy or girl growing up "different" had nobody to relate to about their feelings or struggles.
It has been a great comfort to me to see my younger gay brothers and sisters growing up in a much different world. At the same time, it is also disheartening (and not less frightening) to see some of the old attitudes rearing their ugly heads, even right here on YahooAnswers.
Wake up, society, we're here to stay and we're not going away.

Answer 3

From the 1877-1914 section of my AP US History textbook :

"The Tenderloin and the Bowery district farther downtown [New York] were also the sites of a robust gay subculture. The long-held notion that homosexual life was covert, in the closet, in Victorian America appears not to be true, at least not in the country's premier city. Homosexual activity was illegal, but as with prostitution, the law was mostly a dead letter. In certain corners of the city a gay world flourished, with a full array of saloons, meeting places, and drag balls, which were widely known and often patronized by uptown 'slummers.' "

Answer 4

Described? Hidden deep in the closet...

Answer 5

Non-existant.

Answer 6

Pushy describes them pretty well.