Tag Archives: LGBT History

Gawker’s Neetzan Zimmerman writes: “While performing the classic ’80s synth pop anthem “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat, a Berlin street musician is joined by the song’s original singer, Jimmy Somerville, who just happened to be walking by with his dog.” If you’ve somehow never heard the still-stunning Smalltown Boy, go here. It truly was a landmark musical moment for the …

Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders writes: A look at the historic November 18, 2003 ruling in GLAD’s case Goodridge v. DPH which made Massachusetts the first state in the U.S. where same-sex couples could marry. The video celebrates the powerful and beautiful decision authored by then Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, and explores the impact the ruling has had …

At Friday night’s Ali Forney Center fundraiser, Carl Siciliano thoughtfully seated me and Dr. Jeff at the “Icons & Legends” table, knowing that I would be beyond delighted to spend much of the evening chatting with Stonewall Uprising participants Martin Boyce and Danny Garvin, who were homeless teenagers at the time. Carl forwards us a portion of the note Garvin …

John Rechy’s landmark novel, City Of Night, was published 50 years ago this week.  From the Los Angeles Times: The book is a landmark not only of gay literature — it tells the story of a street hustler as he moves through the shadow world of the 1950s — but also of American literature. “City of Night” was not the …

From the Newark Star-Ledger: Wrapping up a historical week for same-sex couples in New Jersey, Jersey City’s Pint Bar will be hosting a “Big Gay Wedding Reception” on Saturday at 5 p.m. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop conducted eight marriages at 12:01 a.m. and other couples have been married across the county Monday, the first day that same-sex couples could …

RELATED: This was Booker’s first EVER wedding, as he had refused to conduct any until same-sex marriage was legalized.

ABC’s New Jersey affiliate will be live-streaming one of the ceremonies. When they first met 27 years ago, marriage let alone their relationship wasn’t something to talk about. AT 12:01a.m., Joanne Schailey and Beth Asaro will make history in a small Lambertville courtroom being one of the first gay couples in the state to be legally married. “20 years ago …

Is there anybody left for you to come out to?

From the Facebook page of the Harvey Milk Foundation: Breaking! It is official! The USPS will confirm this week that my uncle, Harvey Milk will be commemorated on a 2014 US postage stamp. Another first! My deep gratitude to everyone that supported this effort! More details including the image to come via USPS soon! “Hope Will Never Be Silent” and …

The 25th annual National Coming Out Day is tomorrow.

“What are your kids studying in school today? Public schools from California to Florida are celebrating LGBT History Month, where they highlight a homosexual or lesbian each day. Today, America’s school children are learning about Edward-turned-Gwen Araujo, who was intimate with men who allegedly beat him when they discovered that he was not a woman. If parents think our school …

October is Queer History Month and the Pop-Up Museum of Queer History will launch an exhibit in Brooklyn on Saturday. On the (Queer) Waterfront: Brooklyn Histories is a scatter-site-specific investigation of the queer histories of the beloved borough where the museum got its start. Through a series of performances, talks, community gatherings, and related events, it will explore the waterfronts …

Earlier this week the Gay Men’s Health Crisis issued a press release noting that CEO Marjorie Hill was stepping down. The notice didn’t seem particularly newsworthy, so I didn’t mention it here. However today DNAinfo reports that there may be more to the story than a routine change in leadership. Sources within the organization said GMHC chairman Mickey Rolfe and …

Details.

Speaking yesterday in Iowa….

Stephen Crohn, the openly gay man who had been dubbed by the press as the “man who couldn’t catch AIDS” due to his genetic mutation, committed suicide last month at the age of 66.  Crohn’s passing was revealed on Friday by his sister. His boyfriend was dying of a disease without a name. Beginning in 1978, Stephen Crohn cared for …

JMG reader Dave unearthed this 2005 clip of Anita Bryant performing Oklahoma and then telling the audience that the devil has tried to kill her since she was born. “Hey! Does anybody here remember Florida orange juice?”

The funeral for Jose Julio Sarria, also known as the Widow Norton, was held yesterday at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral.  Sarria, who was the first openly gay person to ever run for public office in the United States, left instructions for his service: Female titleholders from his Imperial Court — the gay organization and charity he started in 1965 — …

Philadelphia’s Giovanni’s Room, the nation’s oldest LGBT bookstore, is for sale. Ed Hermance, 73, has owned the independently run LGBT bookstore, nestled on the corner of Pine and 12th streets, since 1976. The Powelton resident plans to step down this winter and is exploring options for keeping the business running under a new owner, but will have to sell to …