Tag Archives: LGBT History

Andy Humm reports at Gay City News: What should have been a celebration dedicating the raising of the Rainbow Flag at the Stonewall National Monument in Greenwich Village on October 11 at noon turned into another attack on LGBTQ people by the Trump administration in a week full of such attacks. The National Park Service’s Barbara Applebaum, who arranged the …

Posted tonight to President Obama’s Facebook page: America’s long journey towards equality has been guided by countless small acts of persistence, and fueled by the stubborn willingness of quiet heroes to speak out for what’s right. Few were as small in stature as Edie Windsor – and few made as big a difference to America. I had the privilege to …

From the ACLU: Today, we lost one of this country’s great civil rights pioneers, Edie Windsor. The wheels of progress turn forward because of people like Edie who are willing to stand up in the face of injustice. One simply cannot write the history of the gay rights movement without reserving immense credit and gratitude for Edie Windsor. We were …

The New York Times reports: Edith Windsor, the gay-rights activist whose landmark Supreme Court case struck down the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013 and granted same-sex married couples federal recognition for the first time and rights to myriad federal benefits, died on Tuesday in Manhattan. She was 88. Her wife, Judith Kasen-Windsor, confirmed the death but did not specify …

Gentle readers, today is Madonna’s 59th birthday. Below is a short story that first appeared on JMG on this day in 2006, a date which, as you’ll see, plays a role in the story. Ricky Loved Madonna Twenty years ago today, August 16th 1986, I was a few months into a new job with AMC Theatres, a position that I …

Democratic US House Rep. G.K. Butterfield wants to rename a Durham post office after his late mentor, black civil rights activist John Hervey Wheeler. But according to Butterfield, two US House Republicans from his state are holding up what would normally be a routine issue because he refused to sign their bill to rename another federal building after notorious racist …

Its cringeworthy title aside, Britain’s Channel 4 this week broadcast a fascinating look at gay life in the 70s and 80s in which host Rupert Everett tours demised gay bars and cruising sites, pondering whether things were more fun when gays were outsiders to mainstream British society. The Telegraph reviews: Everett idiosyncratically explored the changes in gay life in the …

Tracy Baim reports at the Windy City Times: Chuck Renslow, 87, a longtime pillar of the LGBTQ community in Chicago and around the world, has died after multiple long-term health issues. Renslow reigned over a seven-decade empire, starting more than two dozen businesses—bars, discos, photo studios, health clubs, bathhouses, gay magazines and newspapers, hotels, restaurants and bookstores. He fostered organizations …

Via press release: Dear Truth Wins Out Supporters: On our 11th anniversary, it is with a mixture of great sadness and overwhelming pride that I reluctantly announce that Truth Wins Out is closing down. All good things must come to an end – and it is time to say goodbye. Truth Wins Out is closing because we accomplished our major …

It was 48 years ago this week that the queer community of New York City finally said “Enough!” As I’ve done for the last few years on this day, I’m reposting the story that the New York Daily News ran one week after the Stonewall Riots. Note how the story drips with condescension and ridicule. We’ve come a long, long …

Germany’s The Local reports: Germany’s parliament voted Thursday to quash the convictions of 50,000 gay men sentenced for homosexuality under a Nazi-era law which remained in force after the war and offer compensation. After decades of lobbying, victims and activists hailed a triumph in the struggle to clear the names of gay men who lived with a criminal record under …

Cincinnati’s ABC affiliate reports: The city honored the Cincinnati native who was the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case that declared same-sex marriage legal across the U.S.  City council members voted unanimously Wednesday to give Mercer Street the honorary name “John Arthur & Jim Obergefell Way” after Obergefell, the plaintiff in the case, and Arthur, his deceased husband. “John …

The Toronto Star reports: The Liberal government will introduce legislation later this year to erase past convictions for sexual activity with a same-sex partner, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday as multi-coloured flags were raised on Parliament’s west lawn. The legislation would add to reforms already in the works to atone for the damage caused to thousands of Canadians convicted …

The Orlando Sentinel reports: As he walked up to the Pulse nightclub, memories of last June clouded Ramses Tinoco’s head. He still remembered hearing the gunshots. He remembered running for his life. But the place that has haunted him for a year was different early Monday. Dozens of angels stood guard outside, their wings made of PVC pipes and flowing …

Gentle readers, I’m rerunning my annual Pride rant for the thirteenth year. I wrote this post in 2005 a couple of days after attending Pride in NYC. In the following years I’ve reposted it in advance of Pride in the hope of encouraging you to attend your local events. Have a wonderful Pride Month. Love each other. Watching The Defectives …

History!!! The Independent reports: Leo Varadkar is the new leader of Fine Gael and on course to become Ireland’s first gay Taoiseach. The Social Protection Minister got the support of 51 TDs, senators and MEP to get over the line despite losing the popular vote. Massive cheers greeted Mr Varadkar as he arrived at the count centre in the Mansion …

Today would be Gilbert Baker’s 66th birthday and Google celebrates with an animated doodle. They write: Today’s doodle is a little more colorful thanks to Gilbert Baker, creator of the rainbow flag, a symbol of pride and freedom for the LGBTQA+ community. Teaching himself to sew, Baker put his skills to work for the San Francisco gay community, making banners …

History! The South China Morning Post reports: Taiwan’s top court, the Council of Grand Justices, ruled in favour of gay marriage on Wednesday, the first landmark ruling in Asia on same-sex unions. The ruling by a panel of 14 grand justices in Taipei said the current law that bars same-sex marriage is a violation of the constitution – making the …

Via press release: Friends and family of the late Gilbert Baker will hold an activist march and rally against LGBT oppression in memory of the world-renowned artist who created The Rainbow Flag, the international symbol of LGBT pride and liberation. Baker, a lifelong LGBT and social justice activist, died suddenly March 31 in his Manhattan home. He was 65. The …

Broadway World reports: Donna Summer’s husband Bruce Sudano has big Broadway plans as he prepares to launch his new stage show SUMMER at La Jolla Playhouse in November. The show, based on the life of his late wife, will feature all of the disco queen’s greatest hits, with hopes taking the show the Broadway in 2018. According to WENN, the …