Before Stonewall

Before Stonewall is a 1984 documentary film that explores the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States before the Stonewall riots in 1969. The film features interviews with LGBTQ+ activists, including Harry Hay, Barbara Gittings, and Frank Kameny, as well as archival footage of LGBTQ+ events and protests, such as the Mattachine Society's Annual Reminders and the Daughters of Bilitis's LGBTQ+ rights activism. The documentary also examines the social and cultural climate of the time, including the Lavender Scare and the Red Scare, which led to the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals, such as Alan Turing and Bayard Rustin. The film's directors, Greta Schiller, Robert Rosenberg, and John Scagliotti, aimed to provide a historical context for the Stonewall riots and the LGBTQ+ rights movement, highlighting the contributions of LGBTQ+ pioneers, including Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Harvey Milk.

● Introduction

The documentary Before Stonewall provides a comprehensive look at the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States before the Stonewall riots in 1969. The film features interviews with LGBTQ+ activists, including Harry Hay, Barbara Gittings, and Frank Kameny, as well as archival footage of LGBTQ+ events and protests, such as the Mattachine Society's Annual Reminders and the Daughters of Bilitis's LGBTQ+ rights activism. The documentary also examines the social and cultural climate of the time, including the Lavender Scare and the Red Scare, which led to the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals, such as Alan Turing and Bayard Rustin. The film's directors, Greta Schiller, Robert Rosenberg, and John Scagliotti, aimed to provide a historical context for the Stonewall riots and the LGBTQ+ rights movement, highlighting the contributions of LGBTQ+ pioneers, including Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Harvey Milk, as well as the work of organizations like the Gay Activists Alliance and the National Gay Task Force.

● Historical Context

The pre-Stonewall riots era was marked by a lack of LGBTQ+ rights and a pervasive culture of homophobia and transphobia. The Lavender Scare and the Red Scare led to the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals, with many facing discrimination, harassment, and violence, as seen in the cases of Alan Turing and Bayard Rustin. The Mattachine Society, founded by Harry Hay and Bob Hull, and the Daughters of Bilitis, founded by Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, were among the first LGBTQ+ organizations to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, along with other groups like the Society for Human Rights and the Janus Society. These organizations, along with others, such as the Gay Liberation Front and the Radical Faeries, played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for the Stonewall riots and the subsequent LGBTQ+ rights movement, which was influenced by the work of LGBTQ+ activists like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Harvey Milk, as well as the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Liberation Movement.

● LGBTQ+ Life

in the Pre-Stonewall Era LGBTQ+ life in the pre-Stonewall riots era was often marked by secrecy and isolation, with many individuals forced to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity to avoid persecution, as seen in the cases of Alan Turing and Bayard Rustin. However, there were also vibrant LGBTQ+ communities and cultures, particularly in cities like New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, where organizations like the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis were active. The gay bar scene, which included establishments like the Stonewall Inn and the Black Cat Tavern, provided a space for LGBTQ+ individuals to socialize and connect with one another, while also facing harassment and violence from law enforcement, as seen in the Compton's Cafeteria riot and the Cooper Do-nuts riot. LGBTQ+ individuals, such as Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Harvey Milk, also played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Liberation Movement, working alongside activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and Gloria Steinem.

● Key Events and Figures

The pre-Stonewall riots era was marked by several key events and figures that helped shape the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The Mattachine Society's Annual Reminders, which took place from 1965 to 1969, were a series of protests held in Philadelphia to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and were organized by activists like Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings. The Daughters of Bilitis's LGBTQ+ rights activism, which included the publication of the Ladder newsletter, helped to promote LGBTQ+ visibility and awareness, while also facing opposition from groups like the American Psychiatric Association. LGBTQ+ pioneers, such as Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Harvey Milk, played a significant role in the Stonewall riots and the subsequent LGBTQ+ rights movement, working alongside other activists like Larry Kramer and Cleve Jones. The Stonewall riots themselves, which took place in June 1969, were a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, marking a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and inspiring the formation of organizations like the Gay Liberation Front and the Human Rights Campaign.

● Social and Cultural Climate

The social and cultural climate of the pre-Stonewall riots era was marked by a pervasive culture of homophobia and transphobia. The Lavender Scare and the Red Scare led to the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals, with many facing discrimination, harassment, and violence, as seen in the cases of Alan Turing and Bayard Rustin. The media often portrayed LGBTQ+ individuals in a negative light, perpetuating stereotypes and reinforcing homophobic and transphobic attitudes, as seen in the work of psychiatrists like Irving Bieber and Charles Socarides. However, there were also LGBTQ+ artists, writers, and musicians, such as Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, and Billie Holiday, who helped to promote LGBTQ+ visibility and awareness, and who were celebrated by organizations like the Gay Men's Chorus and the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps.

● Legacy and Impact

The documentary Before Stonewall has had a significant impact on the LGBTQ+ rights movement, providing a historical context for the Stonewall riots and the subsequent LGBTQ+ rights movement. The film has helped to promote LGBTQ+ visibility and awareness, and has inspired a new generation of LGBTQ+ activists, including those involved in organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The film's directors, Greta Schiller, Robert Rosenberg, and John Scagliotti, have been recognized for their contributions to the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and have continued to produce films and documentaries that promote LGBTQ+ visibility and awareness, such as After Stonewall and Paris is Burning. The legacy of Before Stonewall can be seen in the continued fight for LGBTQ+ rights, with many organizations and individuals working to promote LGBTQ+ equality and justice, including the Trevor Project, the It Gets Better Project, and the LGBTQ+ advocacy work of politicians like Tammy Baldwin and Mark Pocan.