History Project Online Exhibits
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    • Hate Crimes >
      • Anita Bryant
      • Escalating Violence
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      • Blacklisted
      • "Moral Turpitude"
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      • Other Stories of Transgender Discrimination
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    • Early Expereriences
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    • Vietnam War Era >
      • Investigations
    • Post-Vietnam Experiences
    • "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy >
      • Personal Experiences
      • Criticisms
      • Repeal
    • Closing >
      • Citations
  • History of LGBTQ+ Bars
    • Bars of the 1950s & 1960s
    • Bars of the 1970s
    • Bars of the 1980s
    • Bars of the 1990s & 2000s
    • Harrisburg, PA
    • Lancaster, PA
    • York, PA
    • Bar Spotlights >
      • 400 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg: Pre-Raids
      • Johnny Kobler's
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Friendly Bars of the 1960s
      • The Neptune Lounge
      • The Strawberry Inn
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Bars of the 1970’s
      • Silhouette/D-Gem
      • Shadows
      • The Archives
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Bars of the 1980’s
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Bars of the 1990/2000’s
      • Village Tavern Night Club
      • Tally-Ho Tavern/ The Loft
      • Railroad House Bar
      • The Fiddler
      • Sundown Lounge
      • Altland’s Ranch
      • Town Tavern
      • 14 Karat Room
  • Gender Identity and Gender Expression
    • Terminology
    • Early Years: Impersonation
    • Entertaining for a Cause
    • Gender During Gay LIberation
    • Medical Classification
    • Rise of Publications and Organizations
    • The 1990s
    • Advocacy and Visibility
    • Expansion of Organizations and Activities >
      • Oral Histories and Photos
    • Where We Are Now
  • LGBTQ+ Art and Artists
    • Jude Sharp
    • Paul Foltz
    • Inspired
    • Aries and the Gay Era
  • The Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus
    • What is the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus? >
      • PA Rural Gay Caucus Education Committee
    • Where were these groups located?
    • Gay Lobby Day
    • Important People
    • Pushback Against Opposition
    • What Happened to the Caucus?
  • Early LGBTQ+ Activism
    • Life Before Stonewall
    • Who's Who?
    • Richard Schlegel
    • Social Organizations
    • Effects of Stonewall on Central PA
    • Political Organizing
    • Rifts in the Movement
    • Read All About It!
  • Coming Out
    • Emily Newberry
    • Joanne Carrol
    • Amanda Hecker
    • Mara Kiesling
    • Maria Warren
    • Shaka Hudson
    • Lindsay Snowden
    • David Payne
    • Dr. Eric Selvy
    • Heidi Notario
    • Tammy de Sol
    • Cindy Lou Mitzel
    • LGBTQ+ Support Groups
  • Out on Campus
    • Acknowledgments
    • Bryn Mawr
    • HBCUs
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Effects of Stonewall on Central PA

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

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)

​Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County (GCS Berks) Newsletter

Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Newsletter - June 1976
Gay Coordinating Society of Berks County, Reading (GCS Berks) Newsletter - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (1)
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. 

​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,
Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
Excerpt Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976,
Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
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. 
Picture
Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
Neptunes Lounge and Club 1031 adds, Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976
Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
Tally-Ho Tavern and The Loft ads, Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976
Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)
The Town Tavern ad, Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976
Gay Era (Lancaster, PA) - June 1976, Courtesy of LGBT-001, DCA. (3)

REMEBERANCE

Stonewall Bar in Lehigh Valley

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.
​
Picture
Stonewall Matchbook - circa 1990, Courtesy of LGBT-023, DCA. (2)

Central ​PA Activists on Stonewall 50th Anniversary Video

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.
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P.O. Box 5629
Harrisburg, PA 17110

(717) 409-5781
info@centralpalgbtcenter.org

© COPYRIGHT 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • The Long Road
    • Beginning >
      • Early Experiences
    • Philadelphia >
      • Philadelphia Part 2
    • Harrisburg >
      • Harrisburg Experiences
    • Lancaster >
      • Lancaster Experiences
    • York >
      • York Experiences
    • Allentown
    • Montgomery >
      • Montgomery Experiences
      • Montgomery Part 2
    • Work Continues >
      • Current Challenges
    • Acknowledgments
  • With Open Hearts & Open Arms
    • Gay LIfe in Pre-Castro Cuba/Homophobia/What's In a Name? Part 1
    • What's in a Name? Part 1 Continued/UMAP/Mattachine Society
    • Leftist Gays in the US/The Mariel Boatlift
    • The Mariel Boatlift Part 2/Resettlement Camps
    • Resettlement Continued/Press Coverage
    • Immigration/What's In a Name? Part 2
    • LGBTQ+ Organizing
    • The Mariel Generation/Life in PA
    • The Eromin Center/Impact of AIDS
    • AIDS in Cuba/LGBTQ+ Rights in Cuba
    • Acknowledgements
  • Stories of Discrimination
    • Hate Crimes >
      • Anita Bryant
      • Escalating Violence
      • Appalachian Trail
      • Bookstore Bombings
    • Employment Discrimination >
      • Blacklisted
      • "Moral Turpitude"
      • Elected
      • Traumatized and penalized
      • Other Stories of Employment Discrimination
    • Transgender Discrimination >
      • High School Experiences
      • Other Stories of Transgender Discrimination
    • Housing and Property Discrimination >
      • Vision of Hope MCC
    • Conclusion
  • We Believe?
    • Early Expereriences
    • Coming Out
    • LGBTQ+ Groups >
      • Religious Life
      • Social Life
      • Political Life
    • Faith and Identity
    • LGBTQ+ Clergy
    • Responses: Backlash
    • Responses: Acceptance
    • Looking Forward
  • Duty, Honor, Pride
    • Vietnam War Era >
      • Investigations
    • Post-Vietnam Experiences
    • "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy >
      • Personal Experiences
      • Criticisms
      • Repeal
    • Closing >
      • Citations
  • History of LGBTQ+ Bars
    • Bars of the 1950s & 1960s
    • Bars of the 1970s
    • Bars of the 1980s
    • Bars of the 1990s & 2000s
    • Harrisburg, PA
    • Lancaster, PA
    • York, PA
    • Bar Spotlights >
      • 400 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg: Pre-Raids
      • Johnny Kobler's
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Friendly Bars of the 1960s
      • The Neptune Lounge
      • The Strawberry Inn
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Bars of the 1970’s
      • Silhouette/D-Gem
      • Shadows
      • The Archives
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Bars of the 1980’s
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Bars of the 1990/2000’s
      • Village Tavern Night Club
      • Tally-Ho Tavern/ The Loft
      • Railroad House Bar
      • The Fiddler
      • Sundown Lounge
      • Altland’s Ranch
      • Town Tavern
      • 14 Karat Room
  • Gender Identity and Gender Expression
    • Terminology
    • Early Years: Impersonation
    • Entertaining for a Cause
    • Gender During Gay LIberation
    • Medical Classification
    • Rise of Publications and Organizations
    • The 1990s
    • Advocacy and Visibility
    • Expansion of Organizations and Activities >
      • Oral Histories and Photos
    • Where We Are Now
  • LGBTQ+ Art and Artists
    • Jude Sharp
    • Paul Foltz
    • Inspired
    • Aries and the Gay Era
  • The Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus
    • What is the Pennsylvania Rural Gay Caucus? >
      • PA Rural Gay Caucus Education Committee
    • Where were these groups located?
    • Gay Lobby Day
    • Important People
    • Pushback Against Opposition
    • What Happened to the Caucus?
  • Early LGBTQ+ Activism
    • Life Before Stonewall
    • Who's Who?
    • Richard Schlegel
    • Social Organizations
    • Effects of Stonewall on Central PA
    • Political Organizing
    • Rifts in the Movement
    • Read All About It!
  • Coming Out
    • Emily Newberry
    • Joanne Carrol
    • Amanda Hecker
    • Mara Kiesling
    • Maria Warren
    • Shaka Hudson
    • Lindsay Snowden
    • David Payne
    • Dr. Eric Selvy
    • Heidi Notario
    • Tammy de Sol
    • Cindy Lou Mitzel
    • LGBTQ+ Support Groups
  • Out on Campus
    • Acknowledgments
    • Bryn Mawr
    • HBCUs
    • Lafayette College
    • BCCC
    • Penn State
    • UPenn
    • Pitt
    • Lehigh University
    • Shippensburg University
    • HACC
  • Other Resources