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…

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,…

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…

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

Three members of the Academy of Washington, the oldest operating drag group in the country, talk about the organization's history, influence, and traditions.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 2Part 2 of 2

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

Five DC women discuss the coming out process for women in the 1970s and 1980s--not just how they came out as lesbians, but also what challenges they faced and what resources they found in DC for getting them through the coming out process and…

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…

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

The campaign for recognition of Nazi persecution of gays and lesbians and for its inclusion in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Includes the reading by Craig Howell of his paper "Behind the Exhibits: The Campaign to Memorialize Gay…

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

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

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.

The history of DC's sodomy law and the 30-year campaign to repeal it.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

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

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

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

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

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

Organization, activities, and splits in DC's Gay Liberation Front.LISTEN ONLINEPart 1 of 3Part 2 of 3Part 3 of 3

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

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…

Reasons why LGBTQ faith groups were created, specifically the local origins of MCC-DC, Faith Temple, Al-Fatihah, Mintwood Zendo, Bet Mispachah, and Dignity.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