We’re sort of loving this retrospective on Before and After Stonewall from AARP, which takes a look at what was going on in the struggle for gay rights before that fateful night June 28, 1969, on Christopher Street. Interviewing folks like Dr. Frank Kameny (fired from a government job 52 years ago and one of the first visible gay rights leaders), we’re reminded that we give Stonewall such significance not because of the showdown with police, but because the community actively pushed to commemorate the date every year thereafter.
history
Wait, Why Is Stonewall Such a Big Deal Again?
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InExile
Thought this letter posted on a blog was great, feel free to copy:
“Dear DNC,
I truly “support” Democrats being elected in 2010 and 2012. I am a “fierce advocate” of the Democratic Party after all. I know that I have promised you my support over the past few decades and have done my best to follow through.
Even now I am “working towards” a financial donation to the Party. I do have to ask for your “patience” though, because as a gay man, my family and I are still second class citizens and are having to funnel our resources towards causes that protect and honor our basic civil rights. “We have a lot on our plate.”
We are “proceeding” towards lifting the denial of funds to the DNC and are “developing a strategy” that will get us there by the end of Obama’s time at the White House. As a matter of fact, my family has planned several “meetings” to discuss these very important donations and will be sending out a press release shortly to announce our “cocktail party” celebrating Democracy.
Thanks for understanding. And hang in there!
Sincerely,
(your name)”
Webster
We haven’t advanced. The police raided a bar in Fort Worth, TX yesterday, causing injuries and taking people to jail. Here’s the Facebook page for those arranging a protest–and further details can be found there:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=109253439840
galefan2004
@Webster: We have advanced. Bars are no longer raided just because they are gay establishments. People are no longer arrested just because they are gay. If anyone was taken to jail during that raid it was most likely because they were in possession of illegal drugs or were drinking under age. Most likely the bar was raided because it was a known hot spot for drugs and underage drinking. I mean it is Texas, but come on, you can’t break the law (allow drug use on the premises and serve under aged) then bitch when you get raided just because you are a gay bar.
Aaron
@InExile:
haha. This is a good one. I’m certainly going to
use it.