August 1985

Gay Peoples Chronicle

Our History on Stamps

By THOMAS FRIER

yes, gays,

All things and cultures of the world are represented on postage stamps. Whether it be airplanes, automobiles, elephants, and, you can Find it on stamps. Of course, because our history is hidden it takes time to find out what persons were gay. After doing 50, you can look through Scott's or another philatelic catalog to find out whether any issues depict them.

Philately (stamp collecting) is the world's most popular hobby. It began in the early 1840's, when stamps themselves were first issued. But this article is about gay history on stamps, not the history of stamps.

There is evidence of homosexuality in early times; and individuals from early times have been commemorated on postage stamps. Examples of figures in ancient Greek myths who were gay include Achilles and Patroclus, Apollo, Hercules, Hyacinthus, and Zeus. Some of the greatest thinkers of ancient Greece, including Aristotle and Plato, were gay. So was King David of Israel.

Some famous gays of the Roman Empire can be found on These include the stamps. first two emperors of Rome, Julius and Augustus Caesar. Pontius Pilate was supposedly gay. So one can see that wê did indeed exist in early

days good number of famous

writers and poets who

were

gay can be found on postage stamps. They include the writer of children's stories and fairy tales, Hans Christian Andersen, as well

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the poet Byron. Other gay writers featured on postage stamps are Pietro Aretino, James W. Barrie, and Charles Baudelaire. The list inincludes Herman Melville, is probably best known for his classic novel, Moby Dick.

Even a president of the United States who is believed to have been gay can be found on a postage stamp. This was James Buchanan. Other famous gay politicians shown on stamps include a number of British rulers: William II, Richard I, Edward II, Richard II, James I,

William III, and George III. Perhaps Susan B. Anthony, rumored to have been a lesbian, could be included among gay politicians, since she fought for women's right to vote. A gay U.N. Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjold, can be found on postage stamps. Alexander Hamilton, who can also be found on our can be found paper currency,

on stamps. Eleanor Roosevelt, thought to have been a lesbian, is shown on stamps. This list of gay political leaders could go on to include Russian tsars, etc.

Philatelists do not necesssarily limit themselves to collecting postage stamps. We may also collect commemorative covers and franked envelopes. Congressmen and Senators have the privilege of free mailing. I know at least one collector of gay history on stamps with à franked cover of Gerry Studds. Lambda Stamps is-

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Church continues to attack gays, Vatican City has actually issued stamps commemorating popes who were gay, including Julius II, Julius III, and John XXII. Other gay religious figures featured on stamps are Saint John and Saint Augustine.

I

would like to add that the Gay and Lesbian History on Stamps Study Unit (GLHS for short) is an excellent organization for people interested in collecting

stamps that have a connection with gay and lesbian history. It publishes an excellent quarterly, The Lambda Philatelic Journal. Membership 15 only $5 per year; $7 overseas. The GLHS address is c/o Hennefeld, 54 Overlook Rd. Upper Montclair, N.J. 07043. A sample issue of the journal can be had for $1.50.

lesbian This is

GLHS also publishes a list of stamps (by Scott Catalog that show a gay or numbers) person or theme. Gay and Lesbian History on Stamps: Achilles Available for $5 it is kept current through the Lambda Philatelic Journal.

sued a to Zeus." commemorative cover honoring Harvey Milk, Milk, the gay San Francisco politician and the Gertrude Stein Philatelic Society of San Francisco plans a commemorative cover in his honor later this year.

Many fine artists who are believed to have been gay have also been commemorated on postage stamps, or their artwork has been featured. This list includes such panters as Sandro Botticelli,

Antonio Allegri Correggió, Eugene Delacroix, etc. No list of famous gay artists fetured on stamps would

complete without Michel-

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A number of gay musicians and composers are also featured on stamps. These _include Ludwig Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, Karl Czerny Manuel de Falla, de Falla, Stephen and Foster, Edvard Grieg, Jean-Baptiste Lully.

Even though the U.S. Military prohibits gays, homosexuals have served in the armed forces and will continue to do so. Gay military men commemorated on postage stamps include General Friedrich von Steuben and Lafayette of France, both of whom came here to help with military strategy during the American Revolution. Alexander Hamilton (q.v.) and John Laurens are also found on postage stamps. Other famous gay military men include Louis Conde, Prince Eugene of Savoy, Joseph Simon Gallieni, Charles George Gordon, and Louis Lyautey.

Although the Catholic

If subscribe to the you journal or order the list tell them you read about these in Cleveland's Gay Peoples Chronicle.

Study Unit member Paul Hennefeld has put together an excellent collection of stamps featuring gay people, which he has exhibited at many philatelic exhibitions large and small. Subtitled "Alternate Lifestyles of Famous People," it has won several awards. It was most recently awarded Best Topical Exhibit and received the Vermeil Award (second best exhibit) at WESTPEX 1985, held in San Francisco.

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