Another in the Voices of Venango County series, this June 2005 essay by Robert Gatesman of Oil City seems more relevant than ever in the wake of California's discriminatory Prop. 8 and other anti-gay activities and is worth keeping in mind as we forge ahead in efforts to achieve fairness and equality for all here in Venango County:
On June 27, gay people around the world will celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Stonewall riot in New York City, which launched the Gay Liberation Movement.
Prior to that event, it was considered natural, and quite legal, for police to raid, beat up and arrest patrons in gay bars and at gay social events. Names were routinely published in local papers and gay people had to bear the humiliation and expense of arrest, trial and often prison.
On that 1969 evening, police goons conducted a routine raid on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. But instead of meekly surrendering, a group of gay men and women decided they'd had enough and fought back. The cops, who routinely received payoffs from bar owners, were totally unprepared for resistance from a "bunch of sissies and pansies" and as the bars closed they soon had a full-scale riot on their hands.
The howls of protest caused New York to review and amend its treatment of gays, and other major cities eventually followed suit. From there the gay pride movement has spread to most of the world.
It marked the beginning of the end of anti-gay persecution, prejudice and discrimination in jobs and housing and put us on the road to eventual complete equality. it's a goal still unrealized, but it's begun.
So, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people will be flying the rainbow gay pride flag over the next few weeks. Parades and special events will "Remember Stonewall" in most larger cities here and abroad.
To all my brothers and sisters and those who support our struggle for justice and equality: Happy Gay Pride!
Printed in The Derrick 6/17/05
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