(extract) Gay Liberation Front Manifesto – London 1971

Almost before we can talk, certainly before we can think for ourselves, we are taught that there are certain attributes that are ‘feminine’ and others that are ‘masculine’ and that they are God-given and unchangeable, Beliefs learned so young are very hard to change; but in fact these are false beliefs. What we are taught about the differences between man and woman is propaganda, not truth.



The truth is that there are no proven systematic differences between male and female, apart from the obvious biological ones. Male and female genitals and reproductive systems are different, and so are certain other physical characteristics, but all differences of temperament, aptitudes and so-on, are the result of upbringing and social pressures. They are not inborn.



Human beings could be much more various than our constricted patterns of ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ permit – we should be free to develop with greater individuality. But as things are at present, there are only these two stereotyped roles into which everyone is supposed to fit, and most people – including gay people too – are apt to be alarmed when they hear these stereotypes or gender roles attacked, fearing that children ‘won’t know how to grow up if they have no-one to identify with’, or that ‘everyone will be the same’, i.e. that there will be either utter chaos or total conformity. There would in fact be a greater variety of models and more freedom for experimentation, but there is no reason to suppose this will lead to chaos.



— GLF Manifesto Group: Paul Bunting, David Fernbach, Tony Halliday, Bill Halstead, Michael Mason, Mary McIntosh, Bob Mellors, Aubrey Walter, Jeffrey Weeks, Elizabeth Wilson