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Bucknell Queer Xstory Project Day 19

Day 19: Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin is best known for his organizing of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. Rustin was a civil rights organizer, activist, and adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated to notions of equality and peace through nonviolent civil disobedience. In merging his Quaker religion and Gandhi’s philosophy on resistance, Rustin often promoted non-violence in mobilizing the public. As an openly gay man of radical politics, Rustin was often met with hatred and was arrested several times for his organization of and participation in public social justice demonstrations. Throughout his fight for lesbian and gay rights in the Civil Rights movement, Rustin also advocated for economic equality encouraged by A. Philip Randolph’s rhetoric on socialist theory.

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Bucknell Queer Xstory Project Day 15

Day 15: The Lavender Scare

In the 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy introduced the “Red Scare,” asserting that the government and its agencies had been infiltrated by communists. During the same time period, McCarthy launched the “Lavender Scare,” advocating for the removal of any individuals suspected of being part of the LGBTQ+ community for fear that their sexuality could be manipulated to reveal governmental knowledge. These accusations mainly targeted gay mxn and lesbians, attaching negative characteristics and perpetuating sexual stereotypes. By failing to the protect gay rights, many LGBTQ+ folk experienced discriminatory precautions, including police mistreatment and forcibly discussing their sex lives. By discriminating against the LGBTQ+ community in the name of national security, many began to jump start the gay liberation movements and rallies. Finally in the 1990s, discrimination based on sexuality was outlawed.

Please check out The Lavender Scare documentary on thelavenderscare.com 

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Bucknell Queer Xstory Project Day 21

Day 21: Philly Riots

In front of Philadelphia’s Independence HalI in 1965 people came together for the first time in pride demonstrations to advocate for lesbian and gay rights. Organizers of the Reminder marches chose Philadelphia for the Liberty Bell’s symbolism, its strategic use in the Civil Rights movement, and the goal of the demonstration: to advocate for freedom and equality. The Reminder marches fostered empowerment, shaped pride demonstrations, and inspired many to advocate for lesbian and gay rights in the public and private sphere. At first, many were fearful to advocate publicly due to the criminalization of their gender identities and sexualities, but in participating they found their voice. The last Reminder march took place shortly after the Stonewall Riots.

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Bucknell Queer Xstory Project Day 10

Day 10: Barbara Gittings

Gittings was renowned for her "ferocious dedication to the cause with a cock-eyed optimism, kindness, and gentle sense of humor." As recognition for Gittings' contributions to the promotion of gay and lesbian literature, in 2002 the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table of the ALA renamed one of their three book awards the Stonewall Book Award-Barbara Gittings Literature Award. In 2001, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation honored her by bestowing her the first Barbara Gittings Award, highlighting dedication to activism.

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Bucknell Queer Xstory Project Day 30

Day 30: The Daughters of Bilitis

The Daughters of Bilitis, also called the DOB or the Daughters, was the first lesbian civil and political rights organization in the United States. The organization, formed in San Francisco in 1955, was conceived as a social alternative to lesbian bars, which were subject to raids and police harassment.