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Though Dirksen died only shortly after the [[Stonewall Riots]], he had already spoken out against [[homosexuality]]. In 1952, he stated that the "lavender lads" (homosexual men) would be fired from the [[State Department]] if the Republican Party performed well in the elections that year.<ref>Baker, Kevin (December 6, 2016). [https://newrepublic.com/article/139169/myth-smug-liberal The Myth of the Smug Liberal]. ''The New Republic''. Retrieved June 19, 2021.</ref> That same year, he defended [[movement conservative]] and fellow [[Senator]] [[Robert Taft]] at the [[Republican National Convention]] and criticized [[Rockefeller Republican]] [[Thomas Dewey]] for his embarrassing loss to [[President]] [[Harry S. Truman]] only four years earlier.<ref name=fascinatingpolitics/><ref>Documentary Fan (March 7, 2012). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrR-34t7P0U Everett Dirksen Defends Taft]. ''YouTube''.</ref>

Though Dirksen died only shortly after the [[Stonewall Riots]], he had already spoken out against [[homosexuality]]. In 1952, he stated that the "lavender lads" (homosexual men) would be fired from the [[State Department]] if the Republican Party performed well in the elections that year.<ref>Baker, Kevin (December 6, 2016). [https://newrepublic.com/article/139169/myth-smug-liberal The Myth of the Smug Liberal]. ''The New Republic''. Retrieved June 19, 2021.</ref> That same year, he defended [[movement conservative]] and fellow [[Senator]] [[Robert Taft]] at the [[Republican National Convention]] and criticized [[Rockefeller Republican]] [[Thomas Dewey]] for his embarrassing loss to [[President]] [[Harry S. Truman]] only four years earlier.<ref name=fascinatingpolitics/><ref>Documentary Fan (March 7, 2012). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrR-34t7P0U Everett Dirksen Defends Taft]. ''YouTube''.</ref>

Along with 21 other mostly conservative Republicans, Dirksen voted against the [[D.C.]] [[establishment]]'s censure of Sen. [[Joseph McCarthy]].<ref>Two references:

Along with 21 other mostly conservative Republicans, Dirksen voted against the [[D.C.]] [[establishment]]'s censure of Wisconsin senator [[Joseph McCarthy]],<ref>Two references:

*[https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/1954McCarthyCensure.pdf 1954McCarthyCensure.pdf]. ''United States Senate''.

*[https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/1954McCarthyCensure.pdf 1954McCarthyCensure.pdf]. ''United States Senate''.

*[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/83-1954/s271 S. RES. 301. PASSAGE.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved May 15, 2021.</ref>

*[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/83-1954/s271 S. RES. 301. PASSAGE.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved May 15, 2021.</ref> who investigated and exposed communist infiltration of the State Department and the [[United States Army]].

Dirksen helped write and pass the landmark [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]], especially in ensuring enough Republican votes for cloture to end the Southern Democrat filibuster of the legislation.<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/civil-rights-act-of-1964.html The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom]. ''Library of Congress''. Retrieved June 19, 2021.</ref>

Dirksen helped write and pass the landmark [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]], especially in ensuring enough Republican votes for cloture to end the Southern Democrat filibuster of the legislation.<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/civil-rights-act-of-1964.html The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom]. ''Library of Congress''. Retrieved June 19, 2021.</ref>