OVERVIEW
The Stonewall Uprising began June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, located in New York. The uprising occurred over the course of six days. Although people most commonly know these events as “The Stonewall Riots,” many advocate for the use of “uprising” and/or “rebellion” instead of "riot" to give it a more positive connotation. This rebellion was between the police and the LGBTQ+ community, with a lot of violence and homophobia on the part of the police. This was an important event in history and is often viewed as the start of LGBTQ+ Movement. In this portion of our exhibit, we will be exploring the effects of Stonewall on Central PA. (6)
ACTIVISM
Joe Burns Oral History
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This oral history features Joe Burns sharing his stories about early activism in the Gay Liberation Movement. At 31:16, Burns discusses some of the effects of Stonewall on the LGBTQ+ community more broadly, but also specifically within central PA activism group called Le-Hi-Ho. (4)
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Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County (GCS Berks) Newsletter
Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Newsletter - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (1)
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This newsletter, published eight years after the uprising, mentions the Stonewall on the first page (pictured on the left). This shows how the spirit of Stonewall has actually outlasted the act of rebellion itself. The people in Berks County are gathering in Philadelphia and New York to celebrate gay pride on the anniversary of Stonewall, and they invite other Central PA community members to join them.
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Gay Era Magazine
Activist groups around the U.S. started magazines that reported on LGBTQ+ related news, even in central PA! The Gay Era was one of those magazines. Pictured below is an excerpt from Gay Era magazine from Lancaster in 1976. The excerpt highlights how Stonewall sparked a shift towards increasing gay pride and helped many LGBTQ+ community members feel comfortable coming out.
Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
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Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
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The Gay Era became a platform for those who identified as queer to share their personal stories and poems, such as the one pictured on the right.
The images below were advertisements published in the Gay Era June, 1976 issue. They were all LGBTQ friendly drinking and hangout spots located all over Central PA. They all were opened after 1969 after Stonewall. Unfortunately, none of these places continue to be in service today, but many similar spots have opened in their place.
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Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
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Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
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Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
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Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
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REMEBERANCE
Stonewall Bar in Lehigh Valley
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This gay bar, located in Allentown, PA, was named after Stonewall. Local community members were sad to see this bar close after 49 years of service, as it was considered a safe haven for
many LGBTQ+ members. Many people met their life partners there. However, a new gay bar opened in its place in 2021, and will hopefully continue the tradition of commemorating Stonewall and providing a safe place for locals to have fun. |
Stonewall Matchbook - circa 1990, Courtesy of LGBT-023, DCA. (2)
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Central PA Activists on Stonewall 50th Anniversary Video
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This clip, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, shares a stained glass window that survived from the Plaza Hotel which was one of the first gay bars in Harrisburg, PA.
Fun Fact: “The fight [Stonewall Uprising] was started by trans women of color” (at 0:40). (5) |
Citations
1. “Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Newsletter,” accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
2. “Stonewall Matchbook - circa 1990,” accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
3. “Gay Era (Lancaster, PA),” accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
4. “Joe Burns, May 25, 2013 - YouTube,” accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
5. “Central PA. activists on Stonewall 50th anniversary - YouTube,” accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
6. “LGBTQIA+ Studies: A Resource Guide: 1969: The Stonewall Uprising,” Research Guides, accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
1. “Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Newsletter,” accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
2. “Stonewall Matchbook - circa 1990,” accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
3. “Gay Era (Lancaster, PA),” accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
4. “Joe Burns, May 25, 2013 - YouTube,” accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
5. “Central PA. activists on Stonewall 50th anniversary - YouTube,” accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
6. “LGBTQIA+ Studies: A Resource Guide: 1969: The Stonewall Uprising,” Research Guides, accessed May 4, 2022, LGBT History Project, Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
