St. Louis Honors Bayard Rustin
October 4, 2013: This past June, the St. Louis community gathered at the Missouri History Museum to learn about - and honor - the legacy and accompishments of Bayard Rustin. In the October issue of fURvor Magazine, we salute Rustin's lifetime of nonviolent activism. Thanks to Joan Lipkin, who organized the event, and to Rustin's partner Walter Naegle for contributing to the story. Another great reason to celebrate LGBT History Month. Read entire article.
Coming Out Day Celebration
October 2, 2013: PROMO, SAGE Metro St. Louis, The LGBT Center of St. Louis, and the St. Louis LGBT History Project are hosting a National Coming Out Day celebration. The event is free and open to the public, family friendly, and is also a safe space for anyone who is questioning themselves.
Date: Friday, October 11th, 2013
Time: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Grand Oak Hill Community Corp., 4168 Juniata, St. Louis, Missouri 63116
Learn about our past, with an exhibit from the St. Louis LGBT History Project, and learn where we are going with fun activities from community organizations. Light refreshments will be provided.
Happy History Month
September 30, 2013: October is LGBT History Month. The St. Louis LGBT History Project is proud to honor and recognize Rodney Wilson as the founder of the now annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month hosted nationwide every October. Rodney spearheaded the creation of the event in 1994 when he was a teacher at Mehlville High School. October was chosen by Wilson as the month for the celebration because National Coming Out Day already was established as a widely known event, on October 11, and October commemorated the first march on Washington by LGBT people in 1979.
LGBT History Month is intended to encourage honesty and openness about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. So, Happy LGBT History Month. Watch for important news from the Project throughout the month as we celebrate our historic past and vibrant future.
Rodney Wilson is pictured with a poster created by one of his students in 1994 during the first history month celebration in St. Louis. He has donated the poster to the Project.
Lee Maynard Donations
September 9, 2013: Over the summer, the Project sat down with Lee Maynard (Gypsy Lee) who was visiting St. Louis to attend 2013 Pride and spend some time with family and friends. During his trip, the Project completed an oral history with Lee who shared recollections of his life in St. Louis in the 1970s. He performed as "Gypsy Lee" and was an active member of the LGBT community, participating in local events such as the Mandrake Ball.
In addition to the oral history, Lee has donated several important artifacts to the Project, including one of his Cher inspired indian headdresses, along with artwork, and rare photographs from his performing days.
The Project looks forward to continued discussions with Lee about additional oral history interviews and thanks him for these important donations for our archives.
Today Lee lives in Connecticut and is a talented artist. Check our facebook page for a gallery of pictures.