6 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE JULY 8, 1994

Stonewall 25: A time of pride and promise

Continued from page 1

was simply the latest episode of police maliciousness toward homosexuals, set off a violent protest that gave birth to the modern gay and lesbian rights movement.

The casual banter between Glen, John and the two men in blue would have been unthinkable 25 years ago. The scene around

fact that much has changed since the great rebellion.

For an estimated 1.1 million gays and lesbians who came to New York City for Stonewall 25 weekend, there were countless stories of pride and celebration to take home. People talked of drag queens in all their finery, men and women with body piercing, bronzed musclemen, boys and girls next-

JOE TRESH

Marchers carry a 30 foot wide mile-long rainbow flag along the march route, The flag dominated mainstream coverage of Stonewall 25.

them relaxed and openly gay people, some taking snapshots of friends in front of the Stonewall, others engaged in campy, boisterous fun, still others looking pensive about the history of this place-brought home the

door, gay couples holding hands, and a tremendous diversity of the gay population. There was plenty of buzz about Gay Games IV, in which 11,000 athletes from 40 countries competed and several world records

were broken. And the weekend's activities weren't confined to a dark club or a block party on a closed-off street; they were happening throughout the city, for all of New York and the rest of the world to see. For a brief, dizzying time, it seemed as if we had seized the city and sprayed it with rainbow colors.

Relishing their temporary feeling of majority status, many gays and lesbians seemed eager to set an example of how to treat people from outside one's own sociopolitical group. After the closing ceremonies of Gay Games IV, many expressed appreciation to police for adeptly and politely shepherding most of the 40,000 attendees out of Yankee Stadium and into the subways.

"Good job," someone said to a police-

woman.

"Have a nice night," was the officer's response

In one of many packed subway cars leaving the stadium, a gay standee noticed that two young mothers sitting opposite each other were trying to talk across the aisle. They were presumably not part of the gay contingent, and they seemed taken aback by the massive influx of riders at the stadium.

"Wait, we got a conversation going here,” the standee said with a smile. "Let's part the crowd a little bit and let them talk."

The mothers laughed, then resumed talking.

To be sure, Stonewall 25 was not just about pride and partying. It was also a time to reflect on how much work still lies ahead and to rally against those who stand in the way of further change. AIDS was highlighted in speeches, at protests, and on a poster with a touched-up photo of Ronald Reagan with Kaposi's sarcoma lesions on his face. People in advanced stages of the disease mingled among the crowds, their gauntness bringing the reality of visible symptoms to the streets. We also raised our voices against "don't

ask, don't tell" and the extreme religious right, who turned out in small numbers to hold up placards with such familiar phrases as "God hates fags" and "Go back into the closet."

But the prevailing spirit of the event seemed to be one of cautious optimism. Many people cited examples from the past as proof of our ability to accomplish our agenda for the future. Ray, a fortysomething man from Bergenfield, New Jersey, recalled what it was like to party at the Stonewall in the late sixties, before the infamous night of rage.

"Back then, the police would harass us if they caught us dancing with same-sex partners. So the Stonewall management would turn on these white lights throughout the club whenever someone spotted the cops coming. At the same time, the music stopped and everybody stopped dancing. As long as we weren't dancing or being affectionate with each other when the cops came in, we probably wouldn't be hassled or arrested."

On Stonewall 25 weekend, the brightest white light was the sun pouring over throngs of gay men and lesbians as they paraded their pride, concern and defiance in the streets of Manhattan. And the Stonewall Bar itself was a tourist draw, where police and gay people engaged in conversation instead of combat.

Just think of what we can do in the next 25 years. In fact, if we maintain the momentum that we shared during Stonewall weekend, it won't take us another 25 years to reach the goals that we've set for ourselves.

It's especially important for those of us who live in less gay-friendly cities in Ohio to seize the euphoria of New York in 1994 and spread it around at home. We must realize our potential and work locally to fight for AIDS services and for our freedom of expression. We've come so far, but this is no time to stop.

SSS

Financial concerns? You don't understand all that IRA, 401K,

CD, Mutual Fund stuff?

Do you understand it but you're not sure where to do it? Would it help to talk to someone who understands life from your point of view? Would it help to sit down and see where you're at? I've asked a lot of questions. You can too. So, call me. It's free.

Prudential Insurance & Financial Services

Mary Brown, Registered Rep.

(216) 842-9050

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Cedar Point Condo Rental

2 bedroom town house

with lake view

Sunday through Wednesday $65.00 per night

Thursday through Saturday

$95.00 per night

Call Thom Rankin for more details: 228-2663

JIM ANDERSON'S CITY SITES

Detroit Shoreway area: Charming, cheerful worker's cottage, very well maintained. Unusually deep lot with wildflower garden and room for off street parking. $27,500

St. Stephens' area: Exceptionally appointed stick-style restoration. Meticulous attention to detail throughout, featuring updated kitchen and laundry, wonderful woodwork, and newer mechanicals. Lavishly landscaped backyard for entertaining. $79,900

Ohio City area: Fully renovated brick century home in prime location. Features include exposed brick, refinished floors, white on white kitchen and laundry, skylights, 2 full baths (one with jacuzzi), and a peaceful, sequestered backyard patio and garden.

SMYTHE, CRAMER CO.

REALTORS SINCE 1903

Suite Lorain

7105 LORAIN AVE CLEVELAND, OH 44102 (216) 281-1959

REALTOR®

SOUM NOUS OPPORTUNITY

$79,900

521-9300

590-1450

VINTAGE DESIGNER CLOTHING AND SHOES

CLOCKS, TELEVISIONS AND RADIOS

COLLECTABLES

FINE FURNITURE

VINTAGE FABRICS

FINE ART PAINTINGS AND PRINTS KITCHEN KITSCH

BOOKS, RECORDS AND MACAZINES

CERAMICS

LICHTING