Pink Money Power

The (SHR) was the first American homosexual rights organization, formed in Chicago in 1924 by. The SHR also published the first American gay-interest publication, Friendship and Freedom. Yet, the organization didn't last very long when a trial in 1925 financially destroyed the young organization.

Gerber attempted to persuade some prominent persons to support the organization, but he was unsuccessful. He operated on a small budget with John Graves, a clergy man; Al Weininger, a laundress; and a railroad worker. Unknown to the other members, Al was a bisexual who was married with two children. His wife informed a social worker about the organization.

The police broke in on Gerber in the middle of the night with a reporter from the  in tow, interrogated him, seized his personal papers and arrested him. The next morning, Gerber arrived in court to learn that Graves, Weininger and Weininger's male companion had also been arrested. The Examiner reported the story under the headline "Strange Sex Cult Exposed".

The trial caused Gerber to lose his life savings and his job. In 1927 he re-enlisted in the Army where he served until 1945.

Point of Divergence
was able to persuade two different prominent homosexual men in the Chicago area to financially support the. Whom these persons were is lost to history as Gerber never disclosed their identity.

When Gerber, Graves and Weininger were all arrested, Gerber was able to not only able to financially survive the costs of the trail, but he was able to sue the Chicago Examiner. Although the settlement was meager, the publicity of the suit helped to promote the SHR and .