“In the 1920s, the sexologist Sigmund Freud clearly demarcated the modern view of lesbians

“In the 1920s, the sexologist Sigmund Freud clearly demarcated the modern view of lesbians in Western culture. Freud argues that lesbians behave ‘promiscuously and aren’t capable of a grown-up romantic relationship.’ In his article "The Sexual Aberrations,” he describes lesbians as women who suffer from a 'childhood trauma’ and are incapable of any further development. Freud’s theories quickly became well-known beyond the medical community; his theories influenced other sexologists who finally 'classified lesbianism as a disorder.’ Ultimately, this lead to the widespread conclusion in American society that lesbianism was, indeed, a mental illness. Freudian psychoanalysis as well as the Post Freudians’ influence drastically 'changed people’s perceptions of female “romantic relationships” from a state of near harmlessness to the “unnatural.” From this, mainstream America became more and more 'suspicious of love between women,“ and a cultural climate was created that 'sought to eliminate any images that might be perceived as condoning such perverse behavior.’”

-FromLiving on the Edge - Gay and Lesbian Representation in 'Hollywood’s Motion Picture Productions’ and Its Impact on the American Spectatorship by Anonym