Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1992, Page 32
The First Purge
Just after Christmas 1976, Doreen Baxter ordered the party’s first purge, or mass expulsion of
members. Formally it was called the “Campaign Against Lesbian Chauvinism and Bourgeois
Feminism” in later years it was referred to simply as “the lesbian purge.” Even though the
party’s membership was always mixed (in both gender and sexual preference), in the early
years there were still a good number of lesbian members since much of the recruiting had
been done in those friendship networks, as described earlier. The purge was carried out under
a political pretext, with Baxter providing a new theoretical “line” on homosexuality to support
her actions. This purge, which came out of the blue, served many purposes.
First and foremost, it highlighted that the party was always right and had unmitigated power
over the members’ lives. In addition, it struck terror into people’s hearts: someone could be
here one day, gone tomorrow --including a mate or spouse. The investigation surrounding
the campaign, with probing interviews and search-and-seizure tactics, left nothing sacred.
Afterwards, carrying around a feeling of terror lurking at every turn became for everyone an
accepted way to live.
The purge also helped to institute one of the main control mechanisms: the method of pitting
people against each other to breed mistrust and foster loyalty only to Baxter. She started this
precedent with the lesbians in the party, but eventually every possible grouping or type was
subjected to this treatment. There were campaigns against and purges of party men, party
parents, party intellectuals, those with a political past, those from middle-class (“petty-
bourgeois”) background, those with middle-class or educated skills, certain friendship
networks (e.g., a group of friends who moved from Seattle to join) it simply had no
boundaries. This divisive tactic went on and on over the years ensuring that no one would
trust anyone else.
The Lesbian Chauvinism Campaign also set the tone and style for future purges and mass
trials. A booklet was produced almost overnight to be distributed partywide for study and
discussion. Militants were identified, their so-called “crimes” described, their punishments
highlighted. Other than those who were expelled without trial and never heard from again,
each accused militant was ordered to come before a body of members to face criticism and
denunciation. Many were suspended, unable to participate in any party activity and cut off
from everyone, for anywhere from three to six weeks. During this time there were more
“struggle sessions” and self-criticisms to be written. In effect, people’s lives (and minds)
were shattered. Many women lost their loved ones good friends were afraid to be close
again those who were readmitted were beaten down and turned their entire lives around.
Some never had relationships again some became heterosexual in preference.
And last but not least, the Lesbian Chauvinism Campaign served to break up a key friendship
network. Those who were “named” in this campaign were either founders or part of the first
ring of members to join soon after the party’s founding. They were some of the hardest
workers, most politically dedicated, and fervently loyal followers. Many were in middle-level
leadership positions. Many were perhaps people who in some way posed a threat to Baxter.
The First Purge
Just after Christmas 1976, Doreen Baxter ordered the party’s first purge, or mass expulsion of
members. Formally it was called the “Campaign Against Lesbian Chauvinism and Bourgeois
Feminism” in later years it was referred to simply as “the lesbian purge.” Even though the
party’s membership was always mixed (in both gender and sexual preference), in the early
years there were still a good number of lesbian members since much of the recruiting had
been done in those friendship networks, as described earlier. The purge was carried out under
a political pretext, with Baxter providing a new theoretical “line” on homosexuality to support
her actions. This purge, which came out of the blue, served many purposes.
First and foremost, it highlighted that the party was always right and had unmitigated power
over the members’ lives. In addition, it struck terror into people’s hearts: someone could be
here one day, gone tomorrow --including a mate or spouse. The investigation surrounding
the campaign, with probing interviews and search-and-seizure tactics, left nothing sacred.
Afterwards, carrying around a feeling of terror lurking at every turn became for everyone an
accepted way to live.
The purge also helped to institute one of the main control mechanisms: the method of pitting
people against each other to breed mistrust and foster loyalty only to Baxter. She started this
precedent with the lesbians in the party, but eventually every possible grouping or type was
subjected to this treatment. There were campaigns against and purges of party men, party
parents, party intellectuals, those with a political past, those from middle-class (“petty-
bourgeois”) background, those with middle-class or educated skills, certain friendship
networks (e.g., a group of friends who moved from Seattle to join) it simply had no
boundaries. This divisive tactic went on and on over the years ensuring that no one would
trust anyone else.
The Lesbian Chauvinism Campaign also set the tone and style for future purges and mass
trials. A booklet was produced almost overnight to be distributed partywide for study and
discussion. Militants were identified, their so-called “crimes” described, their punishments
highlighted. Other than those who were expelled without trial and never heard from again,
each accused militant was ordered to come before a body of members to face criticism and
denunciation. Many were suspended, unable to participate in any party activity and cut off
from everyone, for anywhere from three to six weeks. During this time there were more
“struggle sessions” and self-criticisms to be written. In effect, people’s lives (and minds)
were shattered. Many women lost their loved ones good friends were afraid to be close
again those who were readmitted were beaten down and turned their entire lives around.
Some never had relationships again some became heterosexual in preference.
And last but not least, the Lesbian Chauvinism Campaign served to break up a key friendship
network. Those who were “named” in this campaign were either founders or part of the first
ring of members to join soon after the party’s founding. They were some of the hardest
workers, most politically dedicated, and fervently loyal followers. Many were in middle-level
leadership positions. Many were perhaps people who in some way posed a threat to Baxter.
