The Comstock Law
This is the symbol of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice. It was created in 1873 to "supervise the morality of the public"
"New York Society for the Suppression of Vice." Wikimedia Commons,
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NewYorkSocietyForTheSuppressionOfVice.jpg. Accessed 16 Jan. 2017. |
The Comstock Law was passed by Congress on March 3rd, 1873. The act allowed for the "suppression of trade in and circulation of, obscene literature and articles of immoral use". It prohibited the U.S. Postal Service from sending any of the following: erotica, contraceptives, abortifacients, sex toys, or personal letters alluding to any sexual content or information. Although much of the law has been overturned, some clauses are still in effect.
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Pictured above is Anthony Comstock, the creator of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice and the man that convinced Congress to pass the Comstock Law. It was Comstock's personal mission to rid the country of impurity and immorality.
Trumbull, Charles Gallaudet. "Anthony Comstock, fighter: some impressions of a
lifetime of adventure in conflict with the powers of evil." Wikimedia Commons, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anthony_Comstock.jpg. Accessed 16 Jan. 2017. |
Although originally published in 1929 in Europe, it wasn't until 1960 that Lady Chatterley's Lover really began starting conversations. Penguin Publishing Company had sued for the rights to publish the uncensored, explicit version of the novel and they won; 3 million copies were sold instantly. It was one the first novels that wrote explicitly about sex. Lady Chatterley's Lover became a staple in every revolutionaries' home. |
Sandbrook, Dominic. "Lady Chatterley trial - 50 years on. The filthy book that
set us free and fettered us forever." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/
books/8066784/
Lady-Chatterley-trial-50-years-on.-The-filthy-book-that-set-us-free-and-fettered-
us-forever.html. The Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/
8066784/
Lady-Chatterley-trial-50-years-on.-The-filthy-book-that-set-us-free-and-fettered-
us-forever.html. Accessed 16 Jan. 2017. Originally published in The
Telegraph [London], 16 Oct. 2010.
set us free and fettered us forever." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/
books/8066784/
Lady-Chatterley-trial-50-years-on.-The-filthy-book-that-set-us-free-and-fettered-
us-forever.html. The Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/
8066784/
Lady-Chatterley-trial-50-years-on.-The-filthy-book-that-set-us-free-and-fettered-
us-forever.html. Accessed 16 Jan. 2017. Originally published in The
Telegraph [London], 16 Oct. 2010.
Andy Warhol
![]() Warhol the Artist
Andy Warhol was often seen as the face of the Sexual Revolution. His style of art was unlike anything seen before. Warhol was a Pop artist; he used bright, non-realistic colors to grab attention. Mitchell, Jack. "Andy Warhol." Wikimedia Commons, 28 Apr. 2011,
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andy_Warhol_by_Jack_Mitchell.jpg. Accessed 16 Jan. 2017. |
Warhol the Director
Warhol's work in film certainly stirred up conversation in the Sexual Revolution; you could even say he furthered the movement. His 1969 film, Blue Movie, was the first adult film released in theaters that showed sex. It was this movie that started what became to be known as The Golden Age of Porn. Blue Movie was met with both criticism and enthusiasm. The review published by the New York Times stated that "'Blue Movie' pretends to dramatize sex as the ultimate act of political protest" (Canby). Whether reviewers liked it or not, it was now acceptable to show sex in the theater. Canby, Vincent. "Screen: Andy Warhol's Blue Movie." Review of Blue Movie,
directed by Andy Warhol. New York Times [New York City], 22 July 1969, Movie Review sec. New York Times, www.nytimes.com/movie/ review?res=9507E5D91738E63ABC4A51DFB1668382679EDE. Accessed 16 Jan. 2017. |