Welcome to Pride Month! Week 3: LGBT History - learn about Stormé DeLarverie

Every week in June we will be learning something about LGBT History.

Pride month was originated to commemorate the Stonewall Riot on June 28, 1969.

Like today’s protests, the riot was a protest against police intrusion and violence against queer people.

Pride is not just about parades and celebration. It is a continuation of protest against violent policing and CIS/Heteronormativity.

Stormé DeLarverie

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It is rumored that Stormé DeLarverie, a butch drag performer, may have thrown the first punch at the Stonewall riots. DeLarverie was a gay civil rights icon and entertainer. For much of her life she worked as an MC, bouncer, and bodyguard. Although the term gender-fluid was not know at the time, DeLarverie’s style of dress represented an early instance. In New York City, she was also know as the "guardian of lesbians in the Village." DeLarverie died in 2014 at the age of 93.

DeLarverie spent the years between 1955 and 1969 as the MC of the Jewel Box Revue, a touring variety performance showcasing both black and white entertainers. The revue featured men dressed in drag while DeLarverie was the only male impersonator in the show. Notably, the Jewel Box Revue was the first integrated drag revue, and drew crowds of both black and white audiences, even performing at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

DeLarverie is best known for possibly throwing the first punch of the June 27, 1969 uprising at Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. While some witnesses say that DeLarverie threw the first punch, and she made the claim as well, there were many people involved in the uprising which made it difficult to determine who the instigator was. Either way, DeLarverie was a large part of what is seen as the catalyst for the protests that set off the gay rights movement. DeLarverie was opposed to calling Stonewall a riot: “a rebellion, an uprising, a civil rights disobedience,” she said, but definitely not a riot.

Two weeks after the rebellion, DeLarverie was part of the official formation of the Stonewall Veteran’s Association on July 11, 1969. She was active in the organization, holding the offices of Chief of Security, and Ambassador. From 1998 to 2000, she served as the organization’s Vice-President. DeLarverie participated in the organization, and was a regular part of the pride parades in New York City, New York and other locales for the rest of her life.

Source: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/people-african-american-history/delarverie-storme-1920-2014/

Osgood, H. (2018, September 30) Stormé DeLarverie (1920-2014). Retrieved from https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/people-african-american-history/delarverie-storme-1920-2014/

Consider Donating to Black LGBT Funds, if you are able

It is Pride month, but don’t let that distract you from continuing to protest. Here are some black LGBT funds to donate to if you are able:

  • Center for Black Equity The Center for Black Equity is the National leader in connecting members of the Black LGBTQ+ community with information and resources to educate, engage and empower their fight for equity and access.

  • The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. NBJC’s mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma. As America’s leading national Black LGBTQ/SGL civil rights organization focused on federal public policy, NBJC has accepted the charge to lead Black families in strengthening the bonds and bridging the gaps between the movements for racial justice and LGBTQ/SGL equality.