BEST video on Twitter today.
I don’t know what parade this was but really who cares. This is delightful!
To be honest though. She might have been aiming for his good friend “Debate Fly”.
![Mike Pence Gets Nailed In The Head With A Water Balloon Little Girl. [VIDEO]](https://i0.wp.com/www.back2stonewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Mike-Pence-anti-gay.png?resize=425%2C266)
Category Archives: EXCLUSIVE
WHITE HOUSE: Executive Order Signed for Selected Reserve and Members of the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty.
The executive order will allow the Pentagon to tap into reserve forces for deployment to Europe as part of its long-standing NATO mission on the continent.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 121 and 12304 of title 10, United States Code, I hereby determine that it is necessary to augment the active Armed Forces of the United States for the effective conduct of Operation Atlantic Resolve in and around the United States European Command’s area of responsibility. In furtherance of this operation, under the stated authority, I hereby authorize the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, under their respective jurisdictions, to order to active duty any units, and any individual members not assigned to a unit organized to serve as a unit of the Selected Reserve, or any member in the Individual Ready Reserve mobilization category and designated as essential under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, not to exceed 3,000 total members at any one time, of whom not more than 450 may be members of the Individual Ready Reserve, as they deem necessary, and to terminate the service of those units and members ordered to active duty.
This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
July 13, 2023.
WATCH: Found Footage of the Christopher Street Liberation March (NYC Pride) Circa 1977 – Video
Not much information is available for the clip below. But one sign in the parade reads “Adolph Hitler is Alive and Well in Florida” which is probably about Anita Bryant. Bryant’s anti-gay “Save Our Children Campaign” began in 1977 so I think it’s safe to date it as 1977 or 1978.
As you can see in the clip. Shirtless guys, drag queens, floats, and performers in Central Park. Not a far cry from today’s PRIDE.
Enjoy
FRIDAY FICTION – “Love Among Chaos: A Stonewall Fantasy” by Will Kohler
Once upon a time, in the bustling streets of New York City, there lived a vampire named Adrian. Unlike the traditional portrayal of vampires in lore, Adrian wasn’t a creature of darkness and malevolence. He possessed a compassionate heart and a profound longing for human connection. For more than three centuries Adrian has hidden in plain sight. Watching. Staying in the shadows. Adrian was also gay, an aspect of himself he had kept hidden for centuries, fearing the repercussions of revealing this as well as his true identity.
It was June 28, 1969, a historic night that would forever be etched in history as the beginning of the Stonewall riots. The air was thick with tension as the gay community had gathered at the Stonewall Inn, a refuge for those who sought solace and acceptance. Adrian, drawn by an unexplainable force, found himself in the vicinity of the bar that fateful night.
As the night unfolded, chaos erupted when police officers raided the Stonewall Inn, their actions driven by prejudice and discrimination. And for the first time, the crowd fought back. First, a shove, then a lesbian punched a patrolman, and then an all-out battle for freedom and equal rights ignited amidst the chaos. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, drag queens, and their straight friends fought side by side against hate and oppression. Adrian watched from the shadows, his heart filled with a mixture of admiration and anguish as he brushed his long blond hair from his face.
Amidst the turmoil, a tall young man with dark curly hair named Michael caught Adrian’s attention. Michael was a kind-hearted and passionate activist who believed in the power of equality and justice. He was only 22 years old but he had been on his own since he was 16 when his small-town parents kicked him out after they found out he was gay. As Michael fought and fearlessly stood up against the injustice unfolding before his eyes, Adrian felt an undeniable connection to him. A deep pull from within him. Something stirred within his immortal soul, a longing he hadn’t felt in centuries.
Drawn by an invisible force, Adrian emerged from the shadows, his eyes locking with Michael’s. Time seemed to stand still as they exchanged a knowing glance. It was a moment that transcended the chaos and violence surrounding them, a silent acknowledgment of shared pain and hidden desires.
Adrian rushed to Michael’s side just as one of New York’s finest was about to bring a billy club down upon Michael’s head. “Noooooooooo!” Adrian roared and grabbed the cop’s wrist in mid-air before the club could connect and jerked the cop’s arm up so sharply and forcefully that the cop hit himself in his face with the club and knocked himself unconscious.
“Thanks,” said Michael as he looked into Adrian’s large hazel eyes suddenly knowing that his life was about to change forever. “C’mon,” he said. As they both raced to help others in trouble.
The two fought valiantly side by side for the rest of the night. Despite the danger lurking around them, Adrian and Michael found solace in each other’s presence. And as the Stonewall riots raged on, Adrian and Michael’s love blossomed like a delicate flower amid a storm. In a way, their connection served as a beacon of hope in a world clouded by prejudice and hatred. Their love symbolized the resilience and strength of the LGBT+ community, proving that love could thrive even in the darkest of times.
However, their love story as with all was not without its challenges. The night would end and the sun would rise. Michael would learn the truth about Adrian but he already knew what was more important. He loved him. They built a life together and lived with the danger of exposure looming over them like a dark cloud, threatening to destroy the delicate sanctuary they had built. Adrian’s immortality and identity as a vampire were secrets he couldn’t reveal, and Michael’s vulnerability as a gay man in a time of oppression only added to their shared burden.
But love, as they say, conquers all. Adrian and Michael vowed to stand strong against the odds, to fight for a world where their love could be celebrated without fear or prejudice. And they did.
As the years passed, the world slowly evolved, and the LGBTQ+ community made significant strides toward acceptance and equality. Adrian and Michael’s love story became an enduring legend, part of a hidden history whispered among those who sought solace and inspiration. Their names are a testament to the power of love and the unwavering spirit of the human heart.
And so, the love between a gay vampire and a gay human, kindled during the Stonewall riots, left an indelible mark on the world, reminding us all that love knows no boundaries, not even the confines of time, prejudice, or immortality.
What happened to Michael and Adrian?
Well that’s a story for another Friday.
Those Were The Days – New York City: Remembering “The Saint” (1980 – 1988)
The Saint (or Saint)was a legendary gay disco that operated in New York City’s East Village from 1980 to 1988. It was founded by entrepreneurs Bruce Mailman and Mark Hetrick, and quickly became one of the most popular and influential clubs in the city’s gay scene. With its cutting-edge music, stylish decor, and commitment to providing a safe and welcoming space for gay men, The Saint embodied the spirit of the era’s underground culture.
Opened in the old premises of the Fillmore East, a 1926-built, former-theater-turned-classic-rock-and-roll venue of the late 1960s and early 1970s, at 105 Second Avenue at 6th Street.
The club’s name was inspired by the Roman Catholic tradition of saints, which celebrated individuals who had achieved spiritual enlightenment and performed miracles. The Saint’s founders saw their mission as creating a similarly transformative experience for their patrons. They wanted to offer a space where gay men could feel empowered and liberated, free from the social stigma and discrimination that still plagued the community in the 1980s..
Membership packs with floor plans were distributed and before the club opened 2,500 memberships had been sold at $150 each for the first 700 members and for $250 for the rest, with a waiting list established.
Mailman’s other gay venture, the nearby New St. Marks Baths – a gay mecca at the time paid for the nightclub’s renovation cost $4.5 million, being $2 million over budget ($17 million at 2017 prices).
The original opening date was set for July 30, 1980, but construction delays forced a deferral to September 20, 1980, with Alan Dodd as disc jockey.
One of the most striking features of The Saint was its design.
The circular dance floor (5,000 square feet or 460 square meters) was topped by a perforated planetarium dome. 76 feet (23 meters) in diameter and 38 feet (12 meters) high. In addition to hiding the speakers, the dome served as a spectacular palette for the lighting effects. A circular opening at the top of the dome could be automatically opened and closed to allow a large mirrored disco ball to be lowered into the space. In the center of the dance floor was a circular light tree constructed on a hydraulic lift. It contained 1,500 lights and as its centerpiece was a rotating, dual Spitz Space System hemisphere star projector, ten times brighter than those used in planetariums.
Another key feature of Saint was its music. The club’s DJs, including the legendary Frankie Knuckles and Robbie Leslie , played a mix of disco, house, and funk that was both danceable and experimental. They were known for their innovative mixing techniques, which created a seamless and hypnotic flow of music that kept the crowd moving all night long.
The Saint also hosted live performances by some of the biggest names in disco and dance music, including Grace Jones, Chaka Khan, Patti LuPone, Eartha Kitt, Divine, Sylvester and many many more.
Directly underneath the dance-floor level was a large lounge with several juice bars. Beer on tap was sometimes served for free to avoid the licensing oversight of the New York State Liquor Authority. Above and outside the dome was what would become the controversial balcony, where patrons could see down to the dance floor, through the scrim of the dome. It was there that men relaxed and could and did indulge in sexual activities. Several times during the year, themed parties such as the “Black Party” and the “White Party”. are considered by most gay historians to be the precursors to the circuit party.
But perhaps the most important aspect of The Saint was its role as a safe space for gay men In an era when homophobia was still rampant, and many gay men felt isolated. The Saint provided a space where they could come together and express themselves freely. The club’s founders were committed to creating environment where gay men could come together and have a good time. Something that is sorely missing in todays community.
Tragically, Saint’s run was cut short by the AIDS epidemic, which devastated the LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s. Mailman and Hetrick both died of AIDS-related complications, and the club’s closure was a devastating blow to the community. But Saint’s legacy lived on, both in the memories of those who had danced there and in the impact it had on the culture of New York City’s gay community.
The Saint closed permanently on April 30, 1988.
*Dedicated to Kevin Beck
![Proud Boys Descend On NYC LGBT Center To Protest Drag Queen Story Hour. Counter-Protestors Push Back - [VIDEOS]](https://i0.wp.com/www.back2stonewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Proud-Boy-fake-blood.png?resize=518%2C266)
Proud Boys Descend On NYC LGBT Center To Protest Drag Queen Story Hour. Counter-Protestors Push Back – [VIDEOS]
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Eyewitnesses claim that the NYPD did not do enough. As usual.
Approximately 200 parents and children enjoyed the read-a-thon, led by the Drag Kings, Queens and Royalty of Drag Story Hour NYC at The Center, a resource hub for New York City’s LGBT community hosted by state Attorney General Letitia James on on Sunday.
Then the Proud Boys showed up.
Outnumbered by 4 to 1 Proud Boys, Orthodox Jewish Rabbi’s, and one lowly self hating homo from Gay’s for Trump named “Paul” however, got more than they bargained for while trying to intimidate the people attending the event. Chants of “Fuck the Proud Boys rang” out from counter-protestors at the venue, letting the violent chaos agents know that they WERE NOT welcome.
Despite police attempting to keep the two groups separated, a few broke through the ranks. One man wearing a gold Guy Fawkes mask attacked those defending the story hour, deeming his adversaries “ANTIFA” as he threw punches and grabbed at press cameras..
According to longtime LGBT Civil Rights Activist Ken Kidd who was in attendance and spoke with us:
I saw it happen. And was one of the ones who insisted that the cops make the cuff. They were ignoring it. It took at least 10 minutes of our chanting at them to do their jobs and, ultimately reminding them that we had the assault AND THEIR REFUSAL TO DO ANYTHING on video (When the video becomes available we will add it to this post/)
Kidd continued:
Oh, and those haters were just screaming obscenities and hate language, and their posters had incredibly offensive photos on them—really racy, PG-13 to R rated stuff that they were shoving down the throats of the kids and parents just trying to pass safely through us to hear a story told by someone in fun makeup and a bright outfit. We kept drowning them out by chanting BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH over and over until I came up with the idea of putting all the BLAH BLAH BLAHS to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. It was so much fun, so simple, joyful, and SHADY.
While one Proud Boy by the name of Robert Porco, 53, who was arrested for punching a protestor. Later out of nowhere and with no witnesses a Proud Boy trotted around with blood on his nose claiming a counter-protestor punched him. “I came here to help, not get the shit beat out of me”. The thug’s accusation of violence has over 2 million views on social media at this writing. Many believe it is a set up call to arms to further embolden Proud Boys and supporters to become more violent. Which is dangerous for our community and very disturbing in light of Donald Trump’s impending arrest Tuesday.
Please. Every LGBT and Ally should be on heightened alert to keep safe and be prepared to stand up and fight back for what is right.
Evil never backs down. And neither should we.
I got one photo of the incident of a Proud Boy punching a queer person with his full weight. They had just been walking behind, PBs turned around.
— Talia Jane ❤️🔥 (@taliaotg) March 19, 2023
They tell me the punch didn’t hurt — what hurt was that they fell on a metal barricade.
This happened in front of a store called “A… https://t.co/GS7XMPJEXD pic.twitter.com/vu4gUXHKOu
Ultra Orthodox Rabbis joined the protesting outside of the Drag Queen Story Hour event in Manhattan LGBTQ community Center. pic.twitter.com/9LT8c7RIwE
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) March 19, 2023
Repost @RebsBrannon /Manifestante de Nueva York contra Drag Queen Story Hour con la bandera Gays for Trump:
— jenny jimenez (@jennjime3493) March 20, 2023
“¡Decimos no a la pedofilia! ¡No a los peluqueros!” pic.twitter.com/BiJndpObVV
WARNING: Neo-Nazi Groups Promote Saturday As ‘National Day of Hate’. Stay Vigilant!
Law enforcement and Jewish organizations across the country are urging vigilance after a neo-Nazi group proclaimed this Saturday to be a national “Day of Hate.”
The white supremacists have called for followers to distribute anti-Semitic messaging with banners, stickers, fliers and graffiti. There are no known threats of violence as of yet. But these things are hard to predict especially in the less tolerant red states.
Several hate groups have said they are participating in the event: “Take a stand, and expose the international clique of parasitic vermin that infest our nation,” said a statement attributed to the hate groups. “Make your voices heard loud and clear, that the one true enemy of the American people is the Jew.”
“This is all about harassing Jews and creating a public space for hate mongers. This becomes a recruitment tool to invite others into this dark place of promoting hate and antisemitism,” said Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. “Nobody should tolerate this.
Local communities including the POC and LGBT’s and their allies should remain vigilant, report suspicious activities to law enforcement,
Gay Teen’s Mother Sues PA School District Over Son’s Suicide After Relentless Bullying for Being Gay
15 year-old Zachary Kirchner committed suicide in his basement in southeastern York County on April 20, 2021 after sharing with classmates that he wanted to end his life on that day. Now his mother is suing the Red Lion School District and six of her son’s former classmates after she says they failed to stop bullying and sexual harassment that played a role in his death.
Students relentlessly bullied Zachary after he came out as gay in 8th grade and also targeted him because of his disabilities, which included autism and other disabilities and medical conditions, according to the lawsuit filed last week by his mom Hope Amspacher.
“Student defendants relentlessly harassed, belittled and broke down decedent by telling him to ‘kill yourself’” according to the lawsuit, and for Zachary to do a ‘charity’ for them by dying by suicide. The school district did not protect or properly react to complaints of bullying and instead, “further emboldened” the student harassers by punishing Zachary, the lawsuit claims.
Zachary’s brother s was witness to the bullying but school administrators told the brother to “mind his own business,” according to the lawsuit. The district had “actual notice” of the incessant bullying due to his sexual orientation, the lawsuit said, noting that someone had scrawled “Zach K is a (slur,)” on a bathroom stall door. The large letters remained on the door even after Zachary’s death, the lawsuit said.
The students’ conduct continued even after Zachary’s death, according to the lawsuit, with one of the student defendants circulating a yearbook photo of Zachary on social media on the 1-year anniversary of his death. The photo had a piece of rope placed across his neck. The caption said: “Can’t believe 1 year, rope still ain’t break,” with a flexing arm emoji and a smiling face emoji wearing sunglasses.
You can read the entire heartbreaking story HERE
Remembering The Limelight NYC (1988 – 2001)
The Limelight was a infamous nightclub in New York City that operated in the 1980s and 1990s. It was located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and became an iconic destination for club-goers during its heyday. The Limelight was originally a church called the Church of the Holy Communion, which was built in 1844. In the 1970s, the church was abandoned, and the building was used as a warehouse.
The Limelight was known for its unique atmosphere and eclectic crowd. The club was open seven days a week, and different events were held each night. On Sundays, the club hosted a popular party called Disco 2000, which was known for its wild and eccentric costumes. The Limelight was also a popular destination for New York’s underground music scene, with DJs playing a variety of genres including house, techno, and hip-hop.
One of the unique features of The Limelight was its design. The club retained many of the original architectural features of the church, including stained glass windows and a large pipe organ. The dance floor was located in the nave of the church, and the VIP area was located in the choir loft. The club also had several themed rooms, including a medieval room and a chapel room, which added to the club’s unique atmosphere.
Despite its popularity, The Limelight was not without controversy. In the 1990s, the club was raided by the police several times, and the owner, Peter Gatien, was accused of drug trafficking. Then there was the small matter in 1996, when club kid and party promoter Michael Alig was arrested and later convicted for the killing and dismemberment of Angel Melendez, a fellow member of the Club Kids and a drug dealer who frequented the club. Gatien was eventually deported to Canada, and the party was over at The Limelight and was shut down in 2001.
The Limelight was more than just a nightclub; it was a cultural phenomenon. The club attracted a diverse crowd of people from all walks of life, including artists, musicians, and celebrities both gay and straight. The Limelight was also known for its cutting-edge fashion, with club-goers donning elaborate and outlandish outfits. The club was a symbol of New York’s vibrant nightlife scene, and it helped to shape the city’s cultural identity.
The Limelight may be gone, but its influence is still felt today, and the club remains an important part of New York’s cultural nightlife heritage.
***iMPORTANT DONATION PLEA!
For the past 15years Back2Stonewall has brought independent new, LGBT History, and media from across the globe. We have paid for all hosting, research and postings all those years and no one draws a salary. But now dur to severe medical issues I have suffered and overwhelming medical bills we are very close to closing. If you can afford to DONATE ANY AMOUNT to keep us going , please do. It means hundreds of thousands will be able to access the only Library of Congress indexed LGBT History & Independent News website and we would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you in advance – Will Kohler
PAYPAL will@back2stonewall.com + VENMO @Will-Kohler-1
WTF!? – Tampa to Host Florida’s 1st LGBTQ+ Tourism Conference
Come for a visit. Stay to have your rights and dignity taken away!
In March 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law the Parental Rights in Education bill, better known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill (the Bill) is one of the most opressive pieces of anti-LGBT legislation in the United States. So of course Tampa, Florida will be home to the inaugural conference for the swastika sunshine state’s LGBTQ+ welcoming destinations, hotels, businesses, nonprofits, Pride organizations, travel influencers and more. Florida OutCoast Convention (FLOCC) will be held August 1-3, 2023 at the Hilton Tampa Downtown.
Via Yahoo News: “Never before has there been a space for Florida’s tourism and LGBTQ leaders to unite, evolve and flourish as one community,” Rachel Covello, publisher of OutCoast, said in a written statement. A digital magazine and Florida travel blog that highlights Florida’s LGBTQ-inclusive destinations and businesses – the convention this August will provide a welcoming space to ‘FLOCC together’ to develop solutions that will strengthen the Florida LGBTQ tourism industry.”
Despite its truly appalling state government, Florida continues to strangely be a top LGBTQ+ destination
The Florida OutCoast Convention will include general and breakout sessions, keynote speakers, entertainment and an exhibit hall. The conference will also feature Flamboyance, a gala celebrating LGBTQ+ tourism accomplishments throughout Florida. (Which should take about 5 minutes)