‘They Paved The Way’ For LGBTQ Rights, But Many Trans, Gay People Of Color Still Live In Poverty, Poor Health
Many of the leaders of the gay rights movement during the Stonewall Riots have been denied the benefits of the revolution. Also, members of the LGBTQ community discuss the successes and failures of the movement with PBS.
The words of Jos茅 Sarria, typed with handwritten edits on aging paper, are enshrined behind glass at the GLBT Historical Society Museum in San Francisco鈥檚 Castro neighborhood. 鈥淭onight I would like to explain my platform, 鈥楨quality before the Law,鈥欌 Mr. Sarria wrote in a campaign speech when he was running for city supervisor. In 1961 he was the first openly gay person to run for public office in the United States. Mr. Sarria did not win, but like so many involved in the initial battles for L.G.B.T.Q. rights, he was a minority-group member and defied gender conventions 鈥 he worked as a drag queen at a local nightclub. (James, 6/22)
During the era of 1969鈥檚 Stonewall Riots, police raids against LGBTQ establishments were common. But when Stonewall patrons fought back, the modern gay rights movement was launched. On Stonewall鈥檚 50th anniversary, Judy Woodruff gets perspective from Reverend Emma Chattin, activist and journalist George Johnson, The Anti-Violence Project鈥檚 Beverly Tillery and Mark Segal of Philadelphia Gay News. (6/25)
