Jun 28, 2019
Queer Terminology 101: “Zap”!
noun: “a public demonstration designed to embarrass a public figure or celebrity while calling the attention of both gays and straights to issues of LGBT+ rights”.
The Gay Activists Alliance utilised these demonstrations from their formation in 1969, making the organisation an influential gay liberation political activist group in America.
The word “Zzzzzap!” became iconic in an episode of The Simpsons with a cameo from legendary Queer-cinema Artist John Waters, who’s camp influence is imortalised in a single word.
Info on Zaps and the GAA (no not that one) from interview with activist Bruce Coleman in GCN issue 355 (July, Pride edition).