We live, you no doubt have noted, in an instant world. There’s e-mail, cell phones and even instant coffee. And what is not instant is becoming very fast. Take travel: Any one of us could be almost anywhere in the world within 24 hours. Time is moving quickly.
But history marches at its own pace. Wars can begin and end in a few days or can last a hundred years. Hostilities can last thousands.
The history of the struggle for LGBT equality has been rather quick in the light of historic human-rights struggles. And if you were in Philadelphia this July 4th, you got to witness a milestone — history in the making.
The first out organized gay-rights struggles took place here in Philadelphia in front of Independence Hall from 1965-69, organized by Frank Kameny. The only dispute to the claim that this was the first was a demonstration eight months earlier at an Army induction center in New York organized by Randy Wicker. But most agree that July 4, 1965 was the first fully organized demonstration for gay rights.
The marches are immortalized with a Pennsylvania Historical Marker at Sixth and Chestnut streets. The plaque itself is somewhat historic since it’s the first government-approved historic placque in the nation recognizing the gay-rights struggle as U.S. history.
On July 4, 1965, if you walked by Independence Hall, you would have seen scores of gay men and lesbians carrying signs demanding equal rights for homosexuals. That was the first time in history that gay people demonstrated en mass. It was similar to the activism for women’s and civil rights led by Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr., respectively.
This July 4th, the 45th anniversary of that first march, Welcome America and GPTMC came up with a great idea. Why not bring Frank back to Philadelphia and honor him by asking him to be in the parade that passes by Independence Hall?
Kameny, now 85, agreed and, to bridge any gap there might be, we also invited Randy Wicker to join us. Wicker had also marched in those marches but couldn’t remember which years.
During the parade, both Frank and Randy were amazed at how receptive the crowds lining the streets were to gay-rights pioneers. As they noted, things have changed. What they didn’t say was they helped make that change.
As we arrived in front of Independence Hall, we decided that it was proper to salute those in our community who had contributed, and especially those early marchers. As the car passed in front of Independence Hall, Randy and I, sitting on each side of Frank, lifted him from his seat. And as he faced the site of those marches, held in front of Independence Hall 45 years ago to the day, he saluted those who historically brought the GLBT community to where it is today.
Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at [email protected].