Talk:Portland vice scandal

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Oregon Mid‑importance

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Sterilization as euphemism?

Although the terms in the historical/legal text may be "sterilization" I assume it does not mean vasectomy, as the time frame predates the practice. Was the actual intended practice perhaps castration or emasculation? 184.100.200.192 (talk) 00:59, 16 August 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It was one of those progressive measures, intended to promote social improvement, according to the latest science. Oregon's eugenics bill was passed in 1913 and a Board of Eugenics was established in 1923. Later renamed the Board of Social Protection, it stood until 1983.

Untill 1981 Oregon practised eugenics and sterilised people who were mentally ill, had epilepsy, were criminals, or were homosexual. The state also sterilised residents of reform schools and girls who were considered promiscuous. This was to remove regressive elements from the gene pool, and improve humanity.

The problem is, how do you decide what is an improvement? And how much is inherited, as opposed to personal choice? The criminal business, especially, was debated. A 1930’s film called ‘Tomorrow’s Children’ is a dramatization of the arguments, and will interest anyone who wants to know about contemporary debate on the subject.

Eugenics is largely discredited now, but many people will watch things like a tendency to mental illness or epilepsy, and avoid child bearing if they think it runs in the family. The Oregon Anti-Sterilization League blocked it between 1913 and 1923.

Castration was rare, and as far as I can find out, was restricted to the feeble-minded for some reason. More research needed, I suppose. Vasectomies and tube tying were definitely available then, Planned Parenthood was founded in 1916 partly to provide these services, and still does. They have given up on eugenics, though. Now, it’s all voluntary.2601:647:6680:4450:B471:CF34:15C9:611 (talk) 06:56, 17 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Terminology

“The Louvre was described as having an "immoral atmosphere" and on a list of eight "gay refectories" in Portland in 1911”

Was ‘gay’ used as a code word as early as that? Or did it just mean ‘festive’ with a hint of license? I notice that the woman-chasing violinist was described as ‘gay’. What was the understanding of the time? 2601:647:6680:4450:B471:CF34:15C9:611 (talk) 06:24, 17 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]