A sold-out crowd packed the auditorium at the Chicago History Museum April 19 for a dose of Chicago LGBT history, courtesy of the Out at CHM series.
Though often overshadowed by New York City's Stonewall Riots, Chicago has a rich history of gay activism from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. Four Chicago activists—activist Vernita Gray, Chicago Gay Liberation Movement founder Murray Edelman, activist Margaret Wilson and historian John D'Emilio—presented 'Gay is the Revolution: Lesbian and Gay Liberation in Chicago.'
The phrase 'Gay is the Revolution' comes from a document written by Chicago gay activists during that time period. In the late '60s and early '70s, Chicago college students fought for the right for same-sex couples to dance in public on their campuses; local lesbians published the highly influential Lavender Women newspaper; the phrase 'gay power' was being used two years prior to Stonewall; militant protests were being held; and the Windy City was one of three cities to hold a Pride march.
D'Emilio started teaching history and sexuality in 1980 and found he had to teach students that gays and lesbians indeed had a history that was vibrant. Today, he has seen a shift in the students that come into his classroom; they are a part of the generation he dubs the 'post-Ellen generation.' Moreover, his teachings have now shifted with the times. 'Now I have to convince them we weren't always a gay and happy people,' D'Emilio said, adding that students need to know about the bar raids, oppression and police brutality.
'It's easy to forget that not so long ago, being gay or lesbian or trans or bi in the period … meant living every day with fear and secrecy,' D'Emilio said.
During this time period, there was a decisive turn away from things we know today, like pride, socialization and challenging the way things are, D'Emilio added. This occurred partly because of the time period—when everything was being challenged from racism and sexism—and partly because of the activists who took risks and broke through barriers.
Edelman, Gray and Wilson were all activists during this time period. Edelman, for example, was a graduate student involved in many demonstrations. Edelman transported the audience from 1965, where at age 21 he was in the back of a police wagon with others after a party was arrested for men dancing together, to the early '70s, when he was arrested but met with a group of out supporters afterwards. He told stories of campus efforts to allow same-sex public dancing, finding a social network, solidarity and courage—all parts of history not recorded by the media at the time.
Gray introduced herself as a Black hippie lesbian feminist to mass applause. During that time period, Gray went from being engaged to get married to being out at Woodstock. In 1969 there was no gay paper and there were no gay groups, but a small group of people took action to ensure change. Gray told stories of opening up her home so LGBT folks would have a place to stay, and with so many people around, some would use the bathtub as a bed.
'This is what it means to have revolution,' Gray said, adding that issues the community has in 2007 are the same issues from back then, such as homeless LGBT youth. '... Our revolution is still revolving.'
Wilson was an undergraduate involved in a radical student group during this time period, and was involved in the women's liberation and anti-war movements. She described the time as an era where 'pretty much anything was acceptable,' in terms of movements, which made it a time conducive to action and change. She also added that it was a time of both tragic and funny stories. Although there were frequent hate crimes, there were also steps forward in the community to create safe space, build community and celebrate.
Following the presentations, it was opened up for audience questions. Andy Thayer of the Gay Liberation Network asked the participants their thoughts on whether or not the LGBT community should take to the streets, instead of focusing on lobbying politicians for change.
Gray, Murray and Wilson agreed that you don't have to choose between various forms of getting things accomplished. As activists who did participate in direct action and militant protests, they agreed that although the community needs to be in the streets, all forms of activism are important.
'The biggest power they had over us is silence, and we don't have that anymore,' Murray said.
