The Lavender Scare

Joan was also a witness to history in one of the more shameful periods in American history.

While at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, Joan described one duty that she found extremely upsetting. She described The Naval Investigation Service which she said apparently enjoyed carrying on “witch hunts” which involved trying to get young women to admit they were homosexuals and therefore would be summarily discharged from the Navy with a less than honorable discharge. She said it seemed to her that these NIS men got their kicks from these sessions.

“In order for the NIS men to carry on the interrogations, a woman officer had to be present. Being the most junior woman officer at the Naval Training Center, I was called and had to drop everything immediately to be in the interrogation room. I had no idea why they picked on certain young enlisted women but I did know these girls were very scared. The interrogation techniques were not pleasant and never was a lawyer involved. I was there only to observe but, after the girl admitted her homosexuality, I had to accompany the investigator in a search of her cubicle and locker in the WAVES barracks. I do not remember how many times I had to sit through these interrogations but I guess they came at least three times a month for months on end.”

In 1953, President Eisenhower signed Executive Order 10450, that banned gay and lesbian workers from federal employment.

Most agencies came out strongly against the suitability of gay and lesbian employees. The response of Secretary of Commerce Charles Sawyer was typical. In a July 24 letter to the committee, he declared:

"The privilege of working for the United States Government should not be extended to persons of dubious moral character. The confidence of our citizenry in their Government would be severely taxed if we looked with tolerance upon the employment of such persons."

In 1975 the Civil Service Commission announced new rules stipulating that gay people could no longer be barred or fired from federal employment because of their sexuality. The Lavender Scare had technically ended for civilian workers but was not over for members of the military.