Browse Items (30 total)

The Community Pioneers awards recognize diverse community leaders for their roles as organizational founders, innovators, advocates and volunteers. In 2021, the Rainbow History Project honors 13 Community Pioneers for their diverse contributions to…

The Young Adults Group, SMYAL, the Twenties Group, and the founding of Youth Pride as support for gay youth in the '80s and '90s. Discussion between James Crutchfield, Chris Dyer, and Chuck Goldfarb.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 2Part 2 of 2

Dr. Franklin E. Kameny recalls the days when gays were "sick and perverted" by definition and explained the long fight to convince the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) in…

Groups that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s to support African American lesbians, particularly the Sapphire Sapphos and the Black Lesbian Support Group.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 2Part 2 of 2

Based on the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement, the Women’s Liberation Movement, and the anti-war movement, the Gay Liberation Front was one of many radical groups created the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Participating in protests, social organizing,…

Memories and discussion of the bars, clubs, and businesses near South Capitol Street, L Street, and O Street SE that were razed to create Washington Nationals Ballpark.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 2Part 2 of 2

Two key members of the Mattachine Society of Washington discuss the group's history and influence, with particular emphasis on the contributions of founding member Dr. Franklin Kameny.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 2Part 2 of 2

Assumptions, actions, and emerging awareness of AIDS in DC, including mistaken assumptions of the medical community, mental health issues, and the politics of the emerging response to AIDS.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 2Part 2 of 2

Origins, outreach, and activities of DC's first Latino/a gay support organization, ENLACE.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 2Part 2 of 2

The emergence of ENLACE, Salud, and other Latino LGBTQ groups, the effect of AIDS on the community and the community's response, the development of Latino/a drag shows, bars, and AIDS outreach.Panel was bilingual in both Spanish and English. 

Joan Biren shares memories of her life, The Furies, and the lesbian community in D.C.

Origins of gay softball (since 1982), bowling (since 1981), hockey (since 1993), and basketball groups in DC.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 2Part 2 of 2

Support groups for gay youth that emerged in the '70s.

In 1973, DC’s City Council adopted, and Mayor Walter Washington signed, the first citywide human rights ordinance, Title 34, which provided protection to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered individuals.  Title 34 became the basis for subsequent…

The history of DC's sodomy law and the 30-year campaign to repeal it.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 2Part 2 of 2

Dr. Kameny chatted about his motivation and life in gay activism.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 1

The founding and role in the community of Lammas and Lambda Rising bookstores.

Organizing DC's first Pride festivals in May 1972 and June 1975.

A two-day discussion of the artistic/intellectual currents of 1979 in the African-American LGBTQ community, bisexuality, and the creation of the National Coalition of Black Gays.Day One (25 May 2001). Panelists discussed the issues and events of 1979…

Origins and activities of African American social clubs, especially Best of Washington, Metropolitan Capitolites, and Associates. LISTEN ONLINEDay 1, Part 1 of 5Day 1, Part 2 of 5Day 1, Part 3 of 5Day 2, Part 4 of 5Day 2, Part 5 of 5

Discussion of the origins, strategies, tactics, and legacies of four local direct-action groups: DC's Gay Liberation Front, the Lesbian Avengers, ACT-UP, and OUT. Lena Lett moderated. Bruce Pennington described the beginnings of DC's own Gay…

Panelists represented the Spartans and the Centaur motorcycle clubs and discussed the origins, founders, club traditions, and events, including runs, leather cocktails, Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend, and the creation of Brother, Help Thyself.LISTEN…

Discussion focused on origins of the Gay Activists Alliance - DC in 1971, its early activities, and its connection with the Kameny for Congress campaign, with a particular emphasis on the campaign to rescind the American Psychiatric Association's…

Patterns of police harassment and entrapment of gays in DC and the Gay Activists Alliance's work to end harassment and build a new relationship with the Metropolitan Police Department.

Panelists focus on discrimination against African-American members of the LGBTQ community in the 1970s and 1980s, and the formation of community groups and programs that fought back against such discrimination, including the DC Coalition of Black…