Not to mention the corresponding Pink Scare that lasted far longer, right through the 1990s. Even after McCarthyism had died out, gay people were locked out of government and military work because we were considered to be security threats and were not allowed security clearances. I stepped out of a national security career for that reason.

What makes it all so frightening is that the Pink Scare like the Red Scare was primarily enforced by private citizens snooping on their neighbors.

Just like what’s starting up in Texas right now.