Status Updates From Stonewall: The Definitive S...

It’s interesting how a turning point happened and started a change in conversation about homosexuality through the accumulation of different activism movements since socially, different people were fighting for the same rights as humans. Anti-war, pro-black, pro-gay as well as the assassination of JFK. Historically, it would bring people together.

I knew homophobia was rampant but I wasn’t expecting it being so extreme as racism when it came to the police arresting gay people for harmless things like being at the beach in a bathing suit without a towel. Moreover, I can understand Craig’s desire of wanting Mattachine to be political but at the same time homophobia was so bad that it’s understandable that the other members were too scared to follow him.

It took the WWII for the gays as a collective to act on their sexuality politically. I understand and feel for the gays before the war who rebelled in isolation, it’s cool that they’re remembered because they’re the first pioneers of the movement. On the other hand, I wish the book expanded on Mattachine’s ideals being the reason for falling out with the homophile circles for me to understand them better.

I understand the transphobia and homophobia prevalent in the 50’s. At the same time, it feels very iffy that the people who got into the scene started out so early that they don’t even consider what happened to them as rape and assault. Ray hustled at 11 and his boyfriend was 18, the scene at 42nd Street was technically complicit to the illegality of a minor engaging with adults.

Jim’s story of how he was radicalized is interesting. Mainly because he’s influenced in the background where being gay and queer was frowned upon in theater during the 50’s. I didn’t even know that it had been that taboo but also, being exposed to causes outside his identity enforced strong ideals worth fighting for. Sometimes, all someone needs is exposure.