Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Behind the Aegis

(53,829 posts)
Mon Oct 8, 2018, 01:04 PM Oct 2018

LGBTQ History Month: Homo Nest Raided, Queen Bees Are Stinging Mad

Reprinted from "The New York Daily News," July 6, 1969

By JERRY LISKER

She sat there with her legs crossed, the lashes of her mascara-coated eyes beating like the wings of a hummingbird. She was angry. She was so upset she hadn't bothered to shave. A day old stubble was beginning to push through the pancake makeup. She was a he. A queen of Christopher Street.

Last weekend the queens had turned commandos and stood bra strap to bra strap against an invasion of the helmeted Tactical Patrol Force. The elite police squad had shut down one of their private gay clubs, the Stonewall Inn at 57 Christopher St., in the heart of a three-block homosexual community in Greenwich Village. Queen Power reared its bleached blonde head in revolt. New York City experienced its first homosexual riot."We may have lost the battle, sweets, but the war is far from over," lisped an unofficial lady-in-waiting from the court of the Queens.

"We've had all we can take from the Gestapo," the spokesman, or spokeswoman, continued. "We're putting our foot down once and for all. "The foot wore a spiked heel. According to reports, the Stonewall Inn, a two-story structure with a sand pained brick and opaque glass façade, was a mecca for the homosexual element in the village who wanted nothing but a private little place where they could congregate, drink, dance and do whatever little girls do when they get together.

The thick glass shut out the outside world of the street. Inside, the Stonewall bathed in wild, bright psychedelic lights, while the patrons writhed to the sounds of a juke box on a square dance floor surrounded by booths and table. The bar did a good business and the waiters, or waitresses, were always kept busy, as they snaked their way around the dancing customers to the booths and tables. For nearly two years, peace and tranquility reigned supreme for the Alice in Wonderland clientele.

more...

Sure, this isn't "new", but this is a part of LGBTQ history, a history, sadly, even many GLBTQ people are unaware. Though there had been riots before, the Compton's Cafeteria riot being the most notable, it was the one at Stonewall which finally set the modern movement for GLBT equality into motion.

GLBTQ people are important. Our lives and rights matter. So does our history matter!

October is GLBTQ History Month. Expect more of these!

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
LGBTQ History Month: Homo Nest Raided, Queen Bees Are Stinging Mad (Original Post) Behind the Aegis Oct 2018 OP
Thank you for the reminder, Behind the Aegis Glorfindel Oct 2018 #1
I was a year and a half when it happened dsc Oct 2018 #2
I wasn't even two months old yet. Behind the Aegis Oct 2018 #3

dsc

(52,130 posts)
2. I was a year and a half when it happened
Mon Oct 8, 2018, 01:23 PM
Oct 2018

and I am not all that old. We have come a long ways but have a long ways to go.

Behind the Aegis

(53,829 posts)
3. I wasn't even two months old yet.
Mon Oct 8, 2018, 02:09 PM
Oct 2018

And yes, we have come a long way, but there are still many a battle to be fought, perhaps even more now that the Supreme Court has fallen.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»LGBTQ History Month: Homo...