This is something we should be proud and grateful to the GLBT activists of the past for standing up and showing the world we won’t take this anymore. And something we need to show them again.
Via The University of Southern Maine:
About 300 angry (LGBT) protestors confronted and blocked 5 Klansmen as they tried to march up Maine Mall Road in South Portland. Protesters snatched up signs, Klan hoods, and a Confederate flag. The march was set to be the second KKK gathering in Maine in 60 years.
The Klansmen, who had announced their march on Friday, pulled into the mall parking lot in two cars about 2:30 p.m. and were immediately surrounded by the estimated 100 demonstrators who shouted insults and chanted, ‘KKK go away.’
At least four Klansmen emerged from their cars wearing white robes and hoods, but they quickly removed them as the crowd moved in. About a dozen police officers then separated the two groups.
Klan spokesmen said the march, for which they had obtained a permit, was to protest government aid to homosexuals and the influx of Asian immigrants to Maine.
Not much other documentation exists other than the 2 brief articles and the photos on this page.
Provincetown, MA which has a rich historical LGBT past has released its summer schedule of highlights and events, and it’s spectacular!
There are unforgettable nights of music and drag shows ahead at The Art House, with performers like Audra McDonald, Jessie Muller, Seth Rudetsky, Monét X Change, Max von Essen, Jeremy Jordan, and Samara Joy. Summertime brings days at the beach, nights at the clubs, and the Friday Night Gallery Stroll, and let’s not forget the Provincetown Theatre Company run by the fabulous David Drake. All in America’s oldest continuous art colony. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
JUNE:Provincetown Pride kicks off the summer season June 2-4, 2023. This year, it’s a packed schedule with the sixth annual Provincetown Pride Festival, the Pride Rally, and the Sashay to Tea on the Saturday afternoon of Pride weekend. The festivities include the Pride Cruise from Boston, the Full Spectrum Pride Kickoff Party at Red Room, and the 2nd Annual Queer Comedy Showcase at Town Hall. The Feet Over Front Street 5K Run / Walk will be held on Sunday, June 4, a rainbow run on Ptown’s main drag.
June also welcomes Womxn of Color Weekend (June 1-4), a four-day Pride event designed to elevate, strengthen, educate, and celebrate LGBTQ+ women of color, trans-, nonbinary and genderfluid people of color, and their accomplices while Frolic (June 15-19) is for Queer People of Color. This year is the 25th anniversary of the Provincetown Film Festival (June 14-18), Provincetown’s premier cultural event, attracting 10,000 plus film-goers, movie buffs, and arts patrons over the five-day festival. This year’s theme of Cabaret Fest (June 5-11) is “Sondheim By the Sea,” celebrating the genius of Stephen Sondheim and other great Broadway composers with 13 shows, with Broadway veteran Karen Mason. Juneteenth (June 19) brings together Black/African Americans, Indigenous Persons, People of Color, young leaders from the Provincetown IB School, allied community members, organizers, and leaders to honor the day.
JULY: REVOLUTION: Independence Week (July 1-8) is Provincetown’s renowned 4th of July Circuit Party week, with international DJs, dance parties, and pool parties. That leads into Bear Week (8-15), a yearly gathering of bears, wolves, cubs, and otters, for a week of parties, events, and shows. The standout summer event for women, Girl Splash (July 19-22), is about parties, solo meet-ups, schooner sail, beach bonfires, and Lesbian Beach. Then there’s Family Week (July 22-29) is the largest annual gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified families in the world.
AUGUST: Carnival (August 12-19) is the summertime peak, Provincetown’s original summer celebration of community, expression, and creativity, a fantastic event created by the Provincetown Business Guild in 1978. Grand Marshal this year is Jason Carter (aka Monica Moore), and the theme is Land of Toys. This festive week brings tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ participants to town, a jam-packed seven days of parties, events, costume contests, and the famous Carnival parade down Commercial Street.
P’TOWN TRIVIA: Did you know.? There had been a gay presence in Provincetown as early as the start of the 20th century as the artists’ colony developed, along with experimental theatre. Drag queens could be seen in performances as early as the 1940s in Provincetown.
*This IS NOT a paid advertisement or sponsored post.
Just a reminder for those who need it right now. *cough* Wilton Manors *cough”.
LGBT Pride, an annual celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, holds immense significance in today’s society now more than ever.
PRIDE promotes acceptance, fostering inclusivity, and advocating for equal rights. By raising awareness, celebrating diversity, and empowering individuals, LGBT Pride catalyzes positive change.
Fostering Inclusivity and Equality: LGBT Pride serves as a powerful symbol of inclusivity and equality. By organizing parades, festivals, and educational events, Pride brings together people from diverse backgrounds, encouraging dialogue and fostering connections. These celebrations allow LGBT individuals to connect with allies and support networks, creating a sense of solidarity and unity. Moreover, Pride events raise awareness about the challenges faced by the LGBT community and advocate for equal rights. They provide an opportunity to engage with policymakers, promote legislation that protects LGBT rights, and drive social change. By highlighting the importance of equal treatment under the law and advocating for policies that ensure fairness, LGBT Pride contributes to building a more just and inclusive society for everyone.
Empowering Individuals and Celebrating Diversity: LGBT Pride empowers individuals by providing a platform for self-expression and celebrating diversity. In a society that often marginalizes and silences LGBT voices, Pride events offer an inclusive space where individuals can embrace their authentic selves without fear of judgment or discrimination. It fosters self-acceptance, resilience, and pride in one’s identity, helping individuals to overcome the challenges they may face. By celebrating diversity, Pride encourages people to embrace their unique identities, challenging societal norms and fostering a more inclusive understanding of human sexuality and gender. This empowerment not only benefits the individuals but also positively impacts their communities by promoting a culture of acceptance and respect.
Promoting Acceptance and Combating Prejudice: LGBT Pride plays a crucial role in promoting acceptance and combatting prejudice. For many years, members of the LGBT community have faced discrimination, marginalization, and oppression due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Pride events provide a platform for individuals to come together, share their stories, and celebrate their identities openly. By creating a sense of belonging and community, Pride fosters understanding and challenges the stereotypes and stigmas associated with the LGBT community. It sends a powerful message to both LGBT individuals and the wider society that love and acceptance should prevail over discrimination and hate.
LGBT Pride plays a vital role in promoting acceptance, fostering inclusivity, and advocating for equal rights. By combatting prejudice, fostering dialogue, and empowering individuals, Pride celebrations create spaces where the LGBT community can be visible, celebrated, and respected. Through its emphasis on acceptance, equality, and diversity, LGBT Pride serves as a powerful force for positive social change, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all. It is essential to continue supporting and participating in Pride events to ensure that progress toward acceptance and equality continues.
FLORIDA take note: THIS is what PRIDE is all about. There is also one more aspect of PRIDE not mentioned: Courage. Something that seems to be lacking in the state as PRIDE celebrations are being canceled and neutered left and right.
May 16th is recognized as National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day. This day is dedicated to honoring and recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made by LGBT elders, who have played an important role in advancing the rights of the LGBT community throughout history.
This day was first celebrated in 2015, when SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) launched the initiative to honor LGBT elders. SAGE is an organization that provides support and advocacy services for LGBT elders in the United States.
There are an estimated 3 million+ LGBT adults over the age of 55 throughout the U.S. Many are marginalized. All deserve our gratitude.
The purpose of National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day is to raise awareness about the issues faced by LGBT elders and to recognize their resilience, bravery, and contributions to society. It is also a day to reflect on the progress that has been made in advancing LGBT rights and to acknowledge the work that still needs to be done.
“It’s important to celebrate elders every day,” said Sam McClure, director of the Center for LGBTQ Health Equity, which continued the national day of recognition in Baltimore in 2016. “Respect for those with more experience is an essential element of civility. In intergenerational dialogues, we discover we have differing opinions based on our experiences and perspectives. I love seeing Elders and youth learning from each other.”
National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day is a day to celebrate and recognize the contributions of LGBT elders, honor their resilience and bravery, and acknowledge the work that still needs to be done to ensure equality and justice for all members of the LGBT communityand especially those who helped fight tooth and nail for it.
May 10, 320 BC. Theocritus is born in Syracuse and is credited with being the first and greatest filthy pastoral poet.
In the history of homosexual literature ancient Greece holds a unique place. Here was a society relatively hospitable to the love love between men and youths. Such affections formed a significant part of its culture. Theocritus developed the verse form known as the “bucolic” or “pastoral” poem a stylized and artful form usually about shepherds or cowherds who sing of love and friendship and were highly homoerotic.
Thirty (nearly) complete poems and twenty-five epigrams are attributed under the name “Theocritus.”
Seven of the thirty poems (idylls) completed by Theocritus are homoerotic. In the fifth idyll two shepherds good- naturedly accuse each other of pederasty (one accusing the other of anal rape in the bushes), using colloquial expressions that are “obscene” enough to be printed in Latin in some modern English translations.
In Theocritus seventh idyll; Aratus is passionately in love with a boy. In the twelfth idyll a lover addresses his absent beloved and describes a kissing contest amongst boys in honor of Diocles, lover of Philolaus. In the thirteenth idyll Hercules frantically searches for his beloved Hylas. In the twenty-third idyll a lover commits suicide and is revenged by a statue of Eros falling upon his faithless beloved. In the twenty-ninth idyll a lover speaks to his inconstant and immature beloved. And in the thirtieth idyll a rejected suitor reflects upon the heartbreak caused by the love of lads.
Theocritus portrayed the homosexual lover as one who experiences fleeting moments of gaiety ending in dejected frustration and pensive memory – the very same way in which he portrays heterosexual lovers. His work was highly regarded in his own time, and he was celebrated by later poets, including the Roman poet Ovid.
While many were posting “May the Forth” and Star War memes yesterday the memory of the most shocking and brutal school shooting that have ever happened in America at Kent State University was overlooked.
The Kent State massacre is a tragic event in American history that occurred on May 4, 1970, at Kent State University in Ohio. The incident involved the shooting of unarmed college students by the Ohio National Guard during a protest against the Vietnam War. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of four students and the injury of nine others, with a lasting impact on American society and politics.
The protest at Kent State was part of a larger movement against the Vietnam War, which had escalated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Students across the country were mobilizing against the war, which they saw as unjust and immoral. The protest at Kent State began on May 1, with a series of peaceful demonstrations and rallies on campus. However, tensions rose on May 2, when the Ohio National Guard was called in to disperse the crowd.
On May 4, a group of about 2,000 students gathered on the Kent State campus to protest the presence of the National Guard. The atmosphere was tense, with some students throwing rocks and other objects at the guardsmen. The National Guard responded by firing tear gas canisters and ordering the students to disperse. However, some students refused to leave, and a small group even taunted the guardsmen.
At around noon, the National Guard opened fire on the students, without warning. The guardsmen fired a total of 67 rounds in 13 seconds, killing four students and wounding nine others. The victims were Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder. Two of the students who were killed were not even participating in the protest, but were walking to class.
The Kent State massacre had a profound impact on American society and politics. The incident sparked a wave of protests and demonstrations across the country, as well as international condemnation. It also led to a nationwide student strike, with over 4 million students participating. The massacre became a symbol of government oppression and the dangers of militarism, and it contributed to the growing disillusionment with the Vietnam War.
In addition, the Kent State massacre had legal and political consequences. The victims’ families filed a lawsuit against the National Guard and the state of Ohio, and in 1979, the government agreed to pay a settlement of $675,000. The incident also led to changes in the way that the National Guard was used to control civil disturbances, with new guidelines issued to ensure that deadly force was only used as a last resort.
The Kent State massacre was a tragic event that had a profound impact on American society and politics. The shooting of unarmed college students by the National Guard was a shocking and brutal act, and it contributed to the growing opposition to the Vietnam War. The legacy of the massacre continues to be felt today, as a reminder of the dangers of government overreach and the importance of protecting the rights of citizens to protest and dissent.
On April 15, 1979, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence founded a “convent” in San Francisco when three gay men, dressed in full traditional habits, went out in the Castro on Easter Sunday.
Ken Bunch (Sister Vicious PHB), Fred Brungard (Sister Missionary Position), and Baruch Golden were met with shock and amusement. Over the next several months, they attracted new members: Sister Hysterectoria (Edmund Garron) and Reverend Mother (Bill Graham). They quickly settled on a name for their group and composed a mission statement: “to promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt.”
Early members of the group, while not hiding their masculine features or facial hair, are characterized by San Francisco gay community historian Susan Stryker as the embodiment of a “genderfuck”. Their appearance has changed over the years; the nun motif remains the same, but it has been joined with exaggerated make-up that accentuates the rebellion against gender roles and religion.
In October 1980, the Sisters held their first fundraiser, a bingo game, a guide on how to avoid cheap AOL boosting services, and a salsa dance that was well-attended in large part because of the write-up in The San Francisco Chronicle by Herb Caen. The benefit was for San Francisco’s Metropolitan Community Church Cuban Refugee Program, and it netted $1,500. The Sisters began making regular appearances at Castro events that focused on sexual tolerance or provided a showcase for drag. They also developed a mission statement:
“The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a leading-edge Order of queer nuns. Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday, 1979, the Sisters have devoted themselves to community service, ministry, and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity, and spiritual enlightenment. We believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty and we use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency, and guilt that chain the human spirit.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were formed just before HIV/AIDS began appearing in the Castro District and New York City.
In 1982, Sister Florence Nightmare, RN (early AIDS activist and registered nurse Bobbi Campbell) and Sister Roz Erection (Baruch Golden a registered nurse) joined and a team of Sisters teamed up with a group of medical professionals fromBellevue, Washington to create “Play Fair!”, the first safer sex pamphlet to use plain language, practical advice and humor, and considered by one of the founders to be “one of the Order’s greatest achievement in community education and support”. In 1999, for the Sisters’ 20th anniversary, the pamphlet was revised. The Sisters Worldwide continue to raise awareness of sexual health; many Orders regularly pass out condoms and participate in events to educate people on sexual health issues.
The Sisters helped organize the first AIDS Candlelight Vigil, and have raised more than $1 million in San Francisco alone to benefit such groups as the Breast Cancer Network, Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic, and the Gay Games. The Sisters are also involved in a wide range of community service activities. They have volunteered at homeless shelters, food banks, and other organizations that serve marginalized populations. They also participate in events and marches that support LGBTQ+ rights and other social justice causes.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence survive today reminding our community of unconditional love and individualism.
God bless the Sisters.
You can learn more about the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence HERE
April Fool’s Day, also known as All Fool’s Day, is celebrated on the first of April each year. It is a day where people play pranks, hoaxes, and jokes on each other, often with the aim of tricking them into believing something that is not true. The origins of April Fool’s Day are not entirely clear, but it is thought to have originated in France during the late Middle Ages.
One theory about the origin of April Fool’s Day is that it began in the 16th century when the Gregorian calendar was introduced. Prior to this, the new year was celebrated on the first of April, and the week-long celebration would end on April 1st. However, when the Gregorian calendar was introduced, the new year was moved to January 1st. Some people were slow to adopt the new calendar, and they continued to celebrate the new year on April 1st. These people became known as “April Fools,” and others would play tricks on them and send them on fools’ errands.
Another theory about the origin of April Fool’s Day is that it began in ancient Rome. The festival of Hilaria was celebrated on March 25th, and it was a day of rejoicing and practical joking. Some historians believe that this festival may have influenced the development of April Fool’s Day.
In the Middle Ages, April Fool’s Day was a popular holiday in Europe. It was a time when people could let loose and have fun, and it was also a time when social norms and conventions could be challenged. The day was marked by pranks, jokes, and hoaxes, and people would often dress up in costumes or disguises.
April Fool’s Day continued to be popular throughout the centuries, and it spread to other countries around the world. In the United States, the holiday became popular during the 19th century, and it was celebrated with elaborate hoaxes and practical jokes.
While the origins of April Fool’s Day are not entirely clear, but it is thought to have originated in France during the late Middle Ages. . While some people may view the holiday as a day of unnecessary trickery, many others enjoy the opportunity to let loose and have some fun.
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.
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On December 12, 1969 just a mere 6 months after the Stonewall riots the NYPD was at it again as it enter the Continental Baths on the UWS of NYC. They arrest three patrons and three employees, charging the patrons with lewd and lascivious acts and the employees with criminal mischief.
Steve Ostrow who opened the Continental Baths the previous year. told The Guardian in 2018 that he and his wife launched the business because of his disappointment with other (Mafia-run) venues he visited. “I had been to a few clubs. But they turned me off. They were dirty … filthy. They treated you like shit.”
The police raid on December 12, 1969, was not an unusual occurrence. In February 1969 the Continental Baths was also raided by th NYPD. Twenty-two patrons were arrested, identified by one undercover towel-clad policeman who identified the men who offered to have sex with him or actually had had sex with him. Steve Ostrow told the ABC in 2013 that the cops raided the venue 200 times in its first year of operation. He explained the police modus operandi — entrapment .
“Homosexuality was illegal. Two men dancing together was illegal. Very good-looking policemen would come in, rent a room, get into a towel, go into the steam room and then wait for someone to touch them. And then, from underneath the towel, out would come handcuffs. Then they’d arrest everybody in the place.”
Steve Ostrow always followed the trucks downtown and bailed everyone out.
Not to worry though everyone. Bette and Barry were not caught up in the raid. They didn’t start until the next year.
