Stonewall Inn Riots Anniversary

Forty one years ago today marks the anniversary of the night the gays fought back against the NYC police raid. Our rights that we have today, we thank all of those who fought for those rights that day and since. We celebrate that night each year with Pride. The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City...

This is what the Stonewall Inn looked like back "when":

Marching on - NYC Gay Pride 2010

Such a great day. I marched with the Gay Community Center this year. A very large and fun group of people and families. We pushed off of 40th Street onto 5th Avenue around noon and finished the whole route thru Midtown, the village and onto Christopher St. by 2. The Centers School bus had speakers blasting dance music out the back door the whole route and kept the marchers and the cheering crowds up and dancing.

Later in the afternoon I walked up to the Pridefest street fair on Hudson. There was food, a variety of booths including 3D Porn, Zipcar, Undergear, G-vacations, local organizations and entertainment. The line to the Ben and Jerry's ice cream stand went for days. From past experience, I've learned to restrain from gathering up all of the free giveaways. I did get a Pride handkerchief from Macy's.

As the sun was getting low in the sky, I made my way up to 28th street to the Eagle for a burger and a pint on the rooftop. Perfect sunset and ending to a very long day.

Happy Gay Pride Weekend

I've never liked most any adline that starts or ends in "for the children" until I read this comment in last weeks JMG annual post "Watching the Defectives", enjoy:

Every year I take my teenage son and his boyfriend to SF Pride. It's 4 hours each way and we have to rent a car. Once we get there I have to stay at least two blocks away from them (they check in by cell phone every hour).

I don't know how to put it in words but the 8 hours in a car with two teenagers controlling the music is worth it for the difference I see in them when we get out of the car. It's like they're coming home. It gives them something I can't, no matter how supportive I am.

My son needs that day when they can hold hands and feel 'normal'. He needs one day a year to feel like he's part of the majority. Give him one day he doesn't have to hide and blend in. Please.

Even if the flamboyance makes you cringe, get out there and support my son. Do it for the children.

Happy Gay Pride to one, Happy Gay Pride to all! For a listing of all this weekends New York City Pride happenings go here=> Gay Pride

Candlelight Vigil, tonight, Sheridan Sq.

Tonight was the 25th anniversary of the AIDS candlelight vigil starting at Sheridan Square and moving down Christopher street to the pier. There were talks and prayers, song and a flowered wreath was dropped into the Hudson river. Dan Choi, one of our grand marshals of Gay Pride was there.

Folsom Street East

Pride week begins with last nights "Leather Pride Night" and todays "Folsom Street East" leather street fair. THE best street fair in NYC and a great fundraiser for organizations such as The Gay Community Center The Anti Violence Project The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom. I worked the door last night and my shift today at Folsom is 1:45 to 3:45.... I look forward to these events every year. It seems like there are some friends I only see once a year at LPN and Folsom East. Come out and have some fun.. Happy Fathers Day~!

National Equality March, DC

After a few weeks of thinking about it, I decided yesterday afternoon that I will indeed attend the Equality March in Washington DC. I drove a van of fellow students from Pratt Institute in 1993 for the March on Washington, and the last display of the entire AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1996. I figure now would be a nice time to return. So, I will be Bolt bussing it up to DC on Friday at 8:30am and returning Monday afternoon. That should make for a nice weekend getaway. Pics and stories upon my return. maybe.

Remembering Stonewall, 40th Anniversary

Democracy Now aired a great report last Friday on the 1969 Stonewall uprising; Stonewall Riots 40th Anniversary: A Look Back at the Uprising that Launched the Modern Gay Rights Movement, including in this report is the oral documentary, Remembering Stonewall, with the voices of people who were there and their experiences. DN also speaks with David Carter, historian and author of Stonewall: The Riots that Sparked the Gay Revolution. enjoy.

Lights for Gay Pride 2009

Every year our Art Deco icon The Empire State Building lights up in "Lavender" for gay pride day. Happy Pride to all~!

Leather Pride Night, NYC

Tonight is Leather Pride night, 7pm at SPLASH bar. LPN is part of the Folsom Street East weekend. Enjoy the huge streetfair tomorrow afternoon, June 21st in front of the EAGLE bar on 28th street off of 10th avenue. ENJOY~!!

Happy Gay Pride Month