The Johns Committee in Florida With Kaitlyn Hof-Mahoney
July 16, 2021 Date/Time
Date(s) - July 16, 2021
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Categories
In 1956, State Senator Charley Eugene Johns created the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee. Better known as the Johns Committee, it tried to uncover subversive activity in Florida, including homosexuality.
At this time, Americans thought being gay was a shameful mental disorder. It was something to hide and keep secret. It was also illegal in Florida. This secrecy made gay people more vulnerable to the persecution of the Johns Committee. Committee members threatened people with exposure and prison if they did not cooperate. This reign of terror led to dozens of professors, teachers, and students leaving Florida’s public schools.
Kaitlyn Hof-Mahoney, Curator of Collections at the Matheson History Museum, will discuss some of the history of the Committee and the impact it had on the University of Florida.
Attendance is free for museum members with a suggested donation of $5 for non-members. Seating is limited, first come, first served. This program is wheelchair accessible.
For questions or for more information please contact Curator Summer Bias via phone at 904-261-7378 ext. 102 or via email at summer@ameliamuseum.org.
This program will stream on our Twitch Channel and will be available on Facebook or YouTube afterwards.
For Future Programs check out our Event Calendar.