Why Did the US Navy Search for Dorothy in the 1980s?

TL;DR

In the 1980s, the US Navy sought to identify gay personnel by trying to locate a woman named 'Dorothy,' believed to be an information hub for gay sailors. Despite significant resources spent on the investigation, including infiltrating gay bars, they failed to find her. The term 'friend of Dorothy' became a euphemism for being gay, reflecting the era's discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.

Transcript

While the Ancient Greeks had their celebrated Sacred Band of Thebes, a legendarily successful fighting force made up of all male lovers, in more modern times the various branches of the United States military have not been so accepting of such individuals, which brings us to the topic of today- that time in the 1980s when the Naval Intelligence Ser... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 The US Navy in the 1980s faced criticism for its efforts to expel gay personnel, investing resources in identifying and eliminating them.
• 💅 The failed attempt to locate Dorothy highlights the military's discriminatory treatment towards gay men during that time.
• 💨 The phrase "friend of Dorothy" emerged as a euphemism for being gay, providing a discreet way for LGBTQ+ individuals to identify themselves.
• ❓ The popularity of Judy Garland and the inclusivity message of The Wizard of Oz likely contributed to the phrase's adoption among the gay community.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did the US Navy target gay sailors in the 1980s?

The US Navy aimed to eliminate gay personnel during that time due to their strict policies against homosexuality, considering it unacceptable in the military.

Q: How did the Navy attempt to locate Dorothy?

The Navy sent investigators to gay bars in the Chicago area to gather information and identify gay sailors. They discovered that many gay men referred to themselves as "friends of Dorothy."

Q: Why was Dorothy considered a crucial figure in connecting gay men?

Dorothy is believed to have functioned as an information hub where gay men could find other gay men. The military hoped that by locating her, they could pressure her to reveal the identities of gay navy personnel.

Q: Were the Navy's investigations into gay sailors successful?

While they failed to find Dorothy, the investigations resulted in the expulsion of 1,976 gay military members in 1981 alone. The Navy accounted for 55% of these expulsions, costing taxpayers a significant amount.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In the early 1980s, the US Navy aimed to eliminate gay personnel, leading to an investigation into the presence of gay men at the Great Lakes base.

• Investigators discovered that many gay men identified themselves as "friends of Dorothy," suspecting that Dorothy was a woman who played a key role in connecting gay men.

• Despite investing significant resources, the Navy failed to locate Dorothy, resulting in wasted taxpayer money.