Tag Archives: LGBT

It's Okay To Be "LGBT" and Not "Queer"

It’s Okay To Be “Gay” and “Lesbian” and Not “Queer”.

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Yesterday someone said to me that if I wasn’t “queer” then I was “transphobic. That’s not the way it works.

There has been much bashing in our community from “Queer ” activists on social media who have gone into hyperdrive shaming people and labeling them transphobes and racists for not embracing the identity of “queer” and instead identifying as LGBT. “Queer” is a personal choice, and different individuals may have different reasons for using one term over the other. However, there are some potential problems with identifying as queer instead of LGBT, which include:

  1. Lack of clarity: While LGBT is an acronym that describes a specific group of people, the term “queer” can be ambiguous and mean different things to different people. This can lead to confusion and miscommunication when discussing issues related to sexuality and gender identity.
  2. Exclusion: Some people within the LGBT community may feel excluded or offended by the use of the term “queer,” which has historically been used as a slur against many older LGBT individuals who were severely scarred by it. While a very small minority (less than 1%) have reclaimed Queer, the term as a way of expressing their non-conformity to traditional gender and sexual norms, many others may feel uncomfortable with it.
  3. Generational divide: There is a generational divide in the LGBTQ+ community regarding the use of the term “queer.” Older generations may associate it with negative experiences of discrimination and violence, while younger generations may see it as a more inclusive and empowering term. This can create tension and division within the community.
  4. Lack of specificity: While the term “queer” can be a useful umbrella term to describe a wide range of non-heterosexual and non-cisgender identities, it may not provide enough specificity for individuals who want to express a more specific aspect of their identity.
  5. EVERY different group under the “umbrella” have different issues.
  6. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL YOU WHAT TO IDENTIFY AS AND WHO TO BE.

Ultimately, in the end, the choice of whether to identify as queer or LGBT is a personal one, and individuals should use the term that feels most comfortable and authentic to them. However, it is important to be aware of the potential issues and limitations of both terms when discussing issues related to sexuality and gender identity and that not everyone identifies as |queer” and it should not be used as a general label. Something which the LGBT/Queer media has been pushing upon us.

Gay is Good.

So it’s okay to be Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender without being “Queer”.

In the end its all about you.

“Gay Water” Canned Adult Cocktail Beverage Launches.

“Gay Water” Canned Adult Cocktail Beverage Launches.

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 Gay Water’s social media and website, includes a provocative nod to the 12-ounce can’s 6.1-inch height.

Gay Water’s creator Spencer Hoddeson wants to de-stigmatize the word ‘gay’ and start to create representation in spaces that traditionally don’t have queer-owned products, let alone products with the word ‘gay’ in their title,” Hoddeson told The Post.

In a sea of canned cocktails, Gay Water wants to stand out. Launching Thursday is a brightly colored canned vodka and soda beverage that proudly displays who it’s for, instead of backing off from support for the LGBTQ+ community as other companies have done in recent months.

In other words, where Bud Light has buckled under pressure as bigotry grows against the LGBTQ+ community, Gay Water’s creator Spencer Hoddeson wants his new boozy brand to be the antithesis of that.

The canned cocktail is named after a colloquialism given to the popular mixed drink (vodka and soda) ordered at bars by the gay community. It’s also one of the few openly queer-owned alcohol brands, which Hoddeson said sparked him to create because he wanted more representation in the category.

CNN Business

The cans — which, upon launch, are currently being sold primarily online — are available in six- and 12-packs for $18.25 and $36.50, respectively. The six-packs only come in a single flavor — lime — while the 12-packs feature a mix of watermelon, lime, peach, and grapefruit.

Back2Stonewall.com Saturday Night Gay Short Film - "Signage" (12:00)

Back2Stonewall.com Saturday Night Gay Short Film: “Signage” (12:00)

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Written and Directed by Rick Hammerly,  the 2010 short film “Signage”  follows two forty-ish gay friends who go out for a night at the clubs. Our hero connects with a young gay deaf man and they both hit it off.  But the many labels and groups within groups of the gay community might be a hurdle in their getting together.

Starring:  Rick Hammerly, Jason Wittig, Jeffery Johnson.

Signage won Best Short at the Washington DC Independent Film Fest.

*Portions of film is told in sign language, with subtitles.

Gay History – July 4, 1965: Philadelphia’s Independence Hall Annual Reminder Protest.

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Annual Reminder 2On July 4th. 1965, gay rights activists gathered outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, carrying picket signs and demanding legislation that would codify the rights of homosexuals as a minority group. Referencing the Constitution’s inalienable right to the “Pursuit of Happiness” and its foundational belief that “all men are created equal,” the activists called for legislative changes that would improve the lives of American homosexuals.  (Which at that time included the lesbian, trans, and bi communities.  Compartmentalization and isolation were not part of the movement yet and all groups were together as one and fought as such) 

New York City gay activist Craig Rodwell conceived of the event following the April 17, 1965 picket at the White House led by Frank Kameny.  Rodwell along with members of the New York City and Washington, D.C. chapters of the Mattachine Society, Philadelphia’s Janus Society, and the New York chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis would get together and picket in front of Liberty Hall on July 4th.  

The protest would be called “Reminder Day” and would continue for the next five years in a row

The name of the event was selected to remind the American people that a substantial number of American citizens were denied the rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” enumerated in the United States Declaration of Independence.

Thirty-nine people attended the first picket, including veteran activists Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings, and Kay Tobin.  As with the Washington, D.C. picket, Kameny insisted on a strict dress code for participants, including jackets and ties for the men and dresses for the women. Kameny’s goal was to represent homosexuals as “presentable and ’employable'”.  Picketers carried signs with such slogans as “HOMOSEXUAL BILL OF RIGHTS” and “15 MILLION HOMOSEXUAL AMERICANS ASK FOR EQUALITY, OPPORTUNITY, DIGNITY”.

The picket ran from 3:30-5:00 PM. and press coverage was sparse, although Confidential magazine ran a large feature about the Reminder and other gay pickets in its October 1965 issue under the headline “Homos On The March”.

The annual Reminder continued through July 4, 1969.  The final Annual Reminder took place less than a week after June 28th. Stonewall riots,

At the last Annual Reminder, Rodwell received several telephone calls threatening his and the other New York participant’s lives, but he was able to arrange for police protection for the chartered bus to Philadelphia. About 45 people participated, including the deputy mayor of Philadelphia and his wife. The dress code and behavior code were still in effect at the Reminder, but two women from the New York contingent broke from the single-file picket line and held hands. When Frank Kameny tried to break them apart, Rodwell furiously denounced him to onlooking members of the press.

The annual Reminders were commemorated in 2005 by the placement of a Pennsylvania state historical marker by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission at 6th and Chestnut Streets where it is viewed by thousands of visitors daily.

In 2015 the city of Philadelphia celebrated its 50th. Anniversary of the reminders. Unfortunately. the event did not draw the crowds it had hoped and the city itself tried to re-write LGBT history by wrongly claiming that it was the “birthplace of the LGBT rights movement.”  The organizers dropped that false claim before the event after much pressure from this website and other LGBT historians.

#PRIDE2023 – WATCH: A Treasure Trove Of Gay Rights News Clips From The 1970’s [VIDEO]

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REVIVE YOUR PRIDE!

The great Dave Evans aka SuchIsLife  has posted a veritable treasure trove of Gay Rights news clips from the 1970’s. 

This mesmerizing hour long video includes some rather rare footage from the first Gay Pride March in 1970 to the Gay Rights Rally on Capitol Hill in 1979.

This is a MUST SEE!  Not only will you see how much we have achieved but also how much has not changed. 

It’s an amazing historical collection.

List of the clips include:

* FIRST PRIDE PARADE IN CENTRAL PARK NYC 6/28/1970

* GAY CONFERENCE FILM 8/30/1970

* GAYS MARCH THROUGH NEW YORK CITY FILM 6/27/1971

* GAY CONFERENCE 8/17/1971

* NEW YORK ILLUSTRATED: HOMOSEXUALS – OUT OF THE CLOSET 2/11/1973

* GAY DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE DNC 7/11/1976

* CARTER AIDES MEET WITH GAY ACTIVISTS 3/26/1977

* ANITA BRYANT & HOMOSEXUALS CLASH OVER EQUAL RIGHTS FOR GAYS 6/2/1977

* DADE COUNTY GAY RIGHTS REFERENDUM 6/7/1977

* GAY RIGHTS REFERENDUM DEFEATED; BRYANT ANNOUNCES ANTI-GAY CAMPAIGN 6/8/1977

* GAY RIGHTS MARCH 6/26/1977

* GAY ACTIVISTS MARCH IN SAN FRANCISCO 6/27/1977

* HOMOSEXUALS: PART 1 9/12/1977

* HOMOSEXUALS: PART 2 9/13/1977

* HOMOSEXUALS: PART 3 9/14/1977

* ANITA BRYANT PIED IN THE FACE 10/23/1977

* PROFILE OF HARVEY MILK 3/2/1978

Continue reading #PRIDE2023 – WATCH: A Treasure Trove Of Gay Rights News Clips From The 1970’s [VIDEO] →

Gay History: The Late Gilbert Baker On Why He Created The Rainbow PRIDE Flag.

Gay History: The Late Gilbert Baker On Why He Created The Rainbow PRIDE Flag.

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Created in 1978, the Rainbow Pride Flag by Gilbert Baker has been a symbol of the whole LGBT+ community and those within it for over 45 years.

In 1978, when I thought of creating a flag for the gay movement (at Harvey Milk’s request) there was no other international symbol for us than the pink triangle, which the Nazis used to identify homosexuals in concentration camps. Even though the pink triangle was and still is a powerful symbol, it was very much forced upon us. I almost instantly thought of using the rainbow. To me, it was the only thing that could really express our diversity, beauty and our joy. I was astounded nobody had thought of making a rainbow flag before because it seemed like such an obvious symbol for us. A true flag is not something you can really design.

“A true flag is torn from the soul of the people. A flag is something that everyone owns and that’s why they work. The rainbow flag is like other flags in that sense, it belongs to the people.” – Gilbert Baker

On June 9, 2016, Gilbert attained a high point in his life of activism. He was invited to the White House for a reception to commemorate LGBT Pride Month. There, he presented President Barak Obama with a hand-dyed, cotton Rainbow Flag..

On March 31, 2017, Gilbert Baker passed away in his sleep at home. At the time, he had been planning a trip back to his childhood home in Parsons, Kansas. There, he was to be honored at the first annual Gilbert Baker Film Festival at Labette Community College.

Gilbert Baker’s Rainbow Flag resides in the public domain.

You can learn more about Baker’s fascinating life by CLICKING HERE.

REMEMBER: Any other version of Baker’s original design is an insult not only to Gilbert Baker and his memory but also an insult to the LGBT community itself.

PRIDE 2023: WATCH - "Before Stonewall" (1984) Full Documentary.

PRIDE 2023: WATCH – “Before Stonewall” (1984) Full Documentary.

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Learn your history.! It may come in handy one day.

“Before Stonewall” is a groundbreaking documentary released in 1984, directed by Greta Schiller and Robert Rosenberg, which explores the history of LGBT+ life in the United States before the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Through interviews, archival footage, and personal stories, the film paints a vivid picture of the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of the LGBT+ community in the face of discrimination, oppression, and invisibility.

The narrative then traces the early gay rights movements, exploring the establishment of clandestine gay organizations, such as the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis, which provided spaces for community building and political activism. The film highlights key figures like Harry Hay, founder of the Mattachine Society, and Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, pioneering lesbian activists.

The documentary also examines the role of LGBT+ individuals in the arts and entertainment industry. It explores the lives of openly gay artists and writers who defied societal norms and pushed boundaries, including poet Allen Ginsberg, novelist Ann Bannon, and playwright Tennessee Williams.

As the documentary nears its conclusion, it portrays the events leading up to the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a pivotal moment in LGBT+ history. The uprising, sparked by a police raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York City, marked a turning point in the fight for LGBT+ rights, igniting a wave of protests, demonstrations, and the birth of the modern LGBT+ rights movement.

Before Stonewall” is a powerful documentary that illuminates the hidden history of LGBT+ life before the Stonewall Riots. Through personal stories, historical context, and interviews with key figures, the film sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of the LGBT+ community.

You can watch the full documentary below and Happy PRIDE!

*Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. 

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It’s also good KARMA and always appreciated!
PAYPAL will@back2stonewall.com – VENMO @Will-Kohler-1 
#OTD - June 3, 1906: Bisexual Singer, Dancer and Actress Josephine Baker Is Born.

#OTD – June 3, 1906: Bisexual Singer, Dancer, and Actress Josephine Baker Is Born.

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Singer, Dancer, WW2 French Resistance Spy, and Civil Rights activist. Josephine Baker was much more than just a banana skirt.

Josephine Baker, born on June 3, 1906 was an iconic figure in the world of entertainment. She was a French-American singer, dancer, and actress, known for her remarkable talent, charisma, and trailblazing spirit. Josephine Baker was also known for her open bisexuality, which was an important aspect of her personal life.

Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, and grew up in a challenging environment. She faced poverty and racial discrimination, but her determination and passion for performance pushed her towards a brighter future. At the age of 13, she started performing on stage, and by the 1920s, she had gained significant recognition for her unique style and energy.

In 1925, Josephine Baker achieved worldwide fame when she traveled to Paris (Baker refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States ) and became an instant sensation at the Folies Bergère with her captivating performances. Her provocative dances, featuring her famous “banana skirt” and sensual movements, revolutionized the entertainment industry and broke numerous social barriers.

Baker was the most successful American entertainer working in France. Ernest Hemingway called her “the most sensational woman anyone ever saw”. The author spent hours talking with her in Paris bars. Picasso drew paintings depicting her alluring beauty. Jean Cocteau became friendly with her and helped vault her to international stardom.

Aside from her success on stage, Josephine Baker was also active in the French Resistance during World War II. She served as a spy, smuggling secret messages hidden in her sheet music and using her celebrity status to gather information for the Allies. Her bravery and contributions earned her several honors, including the Croix de Guerre and the Medal of Resistance.

Josephine Baker’s personal life was marked by her bisexuality. She had both romantic and sexual relationships with both men and women, which was considered taboo at the time. She was known for her affairs with prominent figures, including Frida Kahlo, Colette, and many others. Her openness about her bisexuality challenged norms and helped pave the way for acceptance and understanding of different sexualities.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Josephine Baker became increasingly involved in the civil rights movement. She actively fought against racism and segregation, refusing to perform for segregated audiences in the United States. Her contributions to the movement were recognized, and she was the only woman to speak at the March on Washington in 1963.

I have walked into the palaces of kings and queens and into the houses of presidents. And much more. But I could not walk into a hotel in America and get a cup of coffee, and that made me mad. And when I get mad, you know that I open my big mouth. And then look out, ’cause when Josephine opens her mouth, they hear it all over the world.

josephine baker – march on washington – 1963

Later in her life, Josephine Baker adopted twelve children from different ethnic backgrounds, forming what she called her “Rainbow Tribe.” Her dedication to promoting racial harmony and acceptance through her family exemplified her commitment to social justice and equality.

Coretta Scott King approached Baker in the Netherlands to ask if she would take her husband’s place as leader of the Civil Rights Movement. After many days of thinking it over, Baker declined, saying her children were “too young to lose their mother”.

Josephine Baker continued to perform and advocate for civil rights until her death on April 12, 1975, at the age of 68. She received a full Catholic funeral at L’Église de la Madeleine, attracting more than 20,000 mourners.[The only American-born woman to receive full French military honors at her funeral, Baker’s funeral was the occasion of a huge procession. After a family service at Saint-Charles Church in Monte Carlo. Josephine  Baker was interred at Monaco’s Cimetière de Monaco.

Her legacy as a bisexual trailblazer, entertainer, and activist live on, and she is remembered as an LGBT icon of the 20th century.

*HAPPY PRIDE! – Buy us a beer for PRIDE or make a small donation to not-for-profit gay independent journalism.

It’s good KARMA and always appreciated!

PAYPAL will@back2stonewall.com – VENMO @Will-Kohler-1 

Pride Anthem 1980 - The Story of "I'm Coming Out" sung by Diana Ross

Pride Anthem 1980 – The Story of “I’m Coming Out” Sung by Diana Ross.

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In 1979, Diana Ross commissioned Chic founders Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards to create material for a new album after taking her daughters to see the band in concert.  Rodgers got the idea for “I’m Coming Out” after noticing three different drag queens dressed as Diana Ross at a Gay/Drag/Trans New York club called the GG Barnum Room that had a trapeze with flyers soaring over the dance floor. 

And ever since the song has been interpreted as a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, identity and the encouragement of self-disclosure and fabulousness!

The White House: A Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month, 2023 - FULL TEXT

The White House: A Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month, 2023 – FULL TEXT

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In June 1969, a courageous group of Americans rose up to protest the violence and marginalization they faced in what became known as the Stonewall Uprising.  Police had raided the Stonewall Inn — a gay bar located in New York City — and for the next six days they clashed with LGBTQI+ protestors, who bravely stood their ground.  Their courage sparked a civil rights movement for the liberation of the LGBTQI+ community and changed our Nation forever.  

     During Pride Month, we honor a movement that has grown stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive with every passing year.  Pride is a celebration of generations of LGBTQI+ people, who have fought bravely to live openly and authentically.  And it is a reminder that we still have generational work to do to ensure that everyone enjoys the full promise of equity, dignity, protection, and freedom.

     Today, our Nation faces another inflection point.  In 2023 alone, State and local legislatures have already introduced over 600 hateful laws targeting the LGBTQI+ community.  Books about LGBTQI+ people are being banned from libraries.  Transgender youth in over a dozen States have had their medically necessary health care banned.  Homophobic and transphobic vitriol spewed online has spilled over into real life, as armed hate groups intimidate people at Pride marches and drag performances, and threaten doctors’ offices and children’s hospitals that offer care to the LGBTQI+ community.  Our hearts are heavy with grief for the loved ones we have lost to anti-LGBTQI+ violence. 

     Despite these attacks, the LGBTQI+ community remains resilient.  LGBTQI+ Americans are defiantly and unapologetically proud.  Youth leaders are organizing walkouts at high schools and colleges across the country to protest discriminatory laws.  LGBTQI+ young people and their parents are demonstrating unimaginable courage by testifying in State capitols in defense of their basic rights.

     They are not alone:  My entire Administration stands proudly with the LGBTQI+ community in the enduring struggle for freedom, justice, and equality.  And we are making strides.  On my first day in office, I signed a historic Executive Order charging the entire Federal Government with protecting LGBTQI+ people from discrimination — from health care to housing, education, employment, banking, and the criminal justice system.  Last December, surrounded by dozens of couples who have fought for marriage equality in the courts for decades, I had the great honor of signing into law the landmark Respect for Marriage Act.  This bipartisan law protects the rights of same-sex and interracial couples — like caring for one’s sick partner and receiving spousal benefits.  Deciding who to marry is one of life’s most profound decisions, so we etched a simple truth into law:  Love is love.

     Meanwhile, I have taken unprecedented steps to support LGBTQI+ youth.  During Pride Month last year, I signed an Executive Order charging Federal agencies with combating the dangerous and discredited practice of so-called “conversion therapy.”  I also directed agencies to help end the crisis of homelessness among LGBTQI+ youth and adults and to address discrimination that LGBTQI+ kids face in foster care.  The Department of Justice is combating laws that target transgender children, and the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services have proposed new rules to protect LGBTQI+ Americans from discrimination in health care, at school, and in sports.  I also established the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse to develop concrete actions to prevent and respond to online harassment and abuse, which disproportionately target LGBTQI+ people.  Additionally, my Administration made it easier for LGBTQI+ youth to access vital mental health support.  Now, by calling the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and dialing the number 3, LGBTQI+ youth can speak to counselors who have been specifically trained to support them. 

     This country is stronger and more just when America’s leaders reflect the full diversity of our Nation, so I have appointed a historic number of highly qualified openly LGBTQI+ judges and public servants at all levels of the Federal Government.  Our Armed Forces are most capable when all patriots can serve their country, so I protected the right of transgender people to once again serve openly in the military. 

     But there is more to do, like passing the bipartisan Equality Act, which would strengthen civil rights protections for LGBTQI+ people and families across America.  We must also address the disproportionate levels of homelessness, poverty, and unemployment in the LGBTQI+ community and end the crisis of violence against transgender women and girls of color.  We must support LGBTQI+ activists around the globe who are standing up for basic human rights and LGBTQI+ survivors of gender-based violence.  And we must end the HIV/AIDS epidemic once and for all.  Our collective freedoms are inextricably linked:  when one group’s dignity and equality are threatened, we all suffer.  This month and every month, let us celebrate the pride that powers the movement for LGBTQI+ rights and commit to doing our part to help realize the promise of America, for all Americans.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2023 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month.  I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQI+ community, to celebrate the great diversity of the American people, and to wave their flags of pride high.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.