The June, 1969, gay riots over police harassment at the Stonewall Inn, a drag bar on New York’s Christopher Street, upended the old homophile movement and launched the noisy and energetic Gay Liberation Front. Morris Kight was 50 and best known for organizing anti-war demonstrations against napalm maker Dow Chemical. Stonewall galvanized him into coming out and he and several others organized a branch of the GLF in Los Angeles. A year later, he got a call from New York. The GLF there was planning a march to celebrate the anniversary of the riots. What was Los Angeles planning? Morris thought about it, and decided, “We are going to have a parade.” The police fought them, the City Fathers fought them, much of the local business world fought them – but Parade they did, with threat of arrest or worse. Under the name that lasts today, 40 years later, ‘Christopher Street West’, in homage to the Stonewall bashing on Christopher Street in New York City. This year we continue this parade and celebration of our community – the threat is not the same as 40 years ago, but many Freedoms still not fully realized. Morris Kight and his group have left a legacy of hope. May we humbly pass along that hope, to young and old gay people around the world – whether closeted to survive, or ‘out’ and in fear. You are not alone – and never lose hope. http://www.lapride.org/ “Doctors have come from distant cities just to see me… Stand over my bed disbelieving what they’re seeing… They say I must be one of the wonders of God’s own creation and as far as they see they can offer no explanation…” -Natalie Merchant
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PRIDE IN THE NAME OF LOVE
