Sex in the Gilded Age

Anthony Comstock

One of the most prominent figures of opposition to suffragettes, feminists, and women's rights leaders of the Gilded Age (particularly in New York) was United States Postal Inspector and politician Anthony Comstock, who took it upon himself to have Americans abide by the rules of Victorian morality. In 1873, Comstock created the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice, which was dedicated to supervising the morality of the public. He also convinced the US Congress to pass the Comstock Law, making it illegal to transport anything "obscene, lewd, or lascivious." This included any materials regarding birth control and venereal disease. He even outlawed some anatomy textbooks! Needless to say, some of his biggest enemies included women like birth control activist and mother of Planned Parenthood Margaret Sanger.