'The Greatest Menace Facing Australia': Homosexuality and the State in NSW During the Cold War

Abstract

In recent years, the attention of many historians and social commentators has turned to the post-war era in Australia, and in particular to the 'Cold War' period. The emerging consensus seems to be of a time of repressive and restrictive state activity, particularly against those who did not conform to an idealised social and political norm, and who were therefore perceived as being a threat to Australia's stability.1 Seen from this perspective, one would expect that male homosexuals, seen at the time as a shadowy minority of 'wilful perverts', would be the subject of increased social and state harassment. And indeed the evidence from NSW