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Exhibit Opening – McCarthy Moment: The Johns Committee in Florida
February 20, 2020 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Free
The “McCarthy Moment: The Johns Committee in Florida” exhibition will be located in the Mary Ann Cofrin Exhibit Hall and is the first Matheson exhibition to focus on local LGBTQ+ history.
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.
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 and students leaving the University of Florida between 1958 and 1959. Although we will never know everyone the Committee hurt, this exhibition seeks to tell their stories.
The McCarthy Moment exhibition does contain sensitive information, including self-harm, sexual acts, and persecution of the LGBTQ+ community. Museum staff is available if any visitor would like more information before entering the exhibition.