Chapter 19, Past Cultural Views on Gays, the Catcher in the Rye:

       In Chapter 19 of "the Catcher in the Rye" we encounter Holdens opinion on gays  for the first time after him seeing them at a bar. Calling them "flits" we also see his personal view on them through the use of the term as an insult to a friend. This scene asked for me to dig deeper on what the views on gays were back in the 1950's or maybe if they were even recognized at all.
       Today's modern views on gays vary between each individual, but with equality being a prime thing of peer pressure in group discussion and with mass media covering more social and political events, I believe modern times have brought a new light on gay equality for the better. To see how far this movement has become let's look at where the gay community was at, specifically during the 1950's.
      The 1950's were not a place of major change in gay rights but events and organizations that were formed during this era set the ball rolling for later years. The Mattachine Society, the first major gay organization was formed during the early 50's and would give rise to the unity of gays giving them a bigger voice. It did also include the release of The Homosexual in America: A Subjective Approach which was seen as a one of the most important  works of the gay movement. Gay bars were scarce but where mainly found near very large cities, like San Fransico, places like these were formed as gay centers mainly from when the rejected gays from the military who where dropped off here and not wanting to face humiliation from there home town, stayed there. Holdens view may have not reflected the society as a whole but with many other factors in the book I believe it to be traced back to the author J.D Salinger's personal opinion. I believe J.D Salinger to of had a negative view towards gays partially due to his role in the military, I'd think that gays being excluded from the draft and not having to fight overseas would create a negative vibe especially from the armed forces.
      Examining the chapter would also further revel Holden's actions around others but I think what made this chapter stand out was the encounter with the gays maybe furthering the conclusion of Holden having a past encounter  trouble at home. If you think we had more time with Holden, do you think he would ever bring up an event like that?