In Sylvia’s own words
In this video clip from a panel that Sylvia Rivera was on in Italy, we hear her speak in her own words to the attempts by some in the gay community who insist upon a history of the Stonewall Rebellions that totally excludes any mention of Trans folks! As Sylvia notes in this clip “She has been fighting these attitudes since June 27 1969… and that she will continue to struggle against the gay community until we all are receive our place in society as human beings and not as a different person!” Sylvia understood our struggles, understood our community and understood what we needed to do to upend a system of trans oppression! It is sad that here in the US we have not, and still don’t give Sylvia the depth of recognition, gratitude and respect that she so richly deserves. As she noted in the opening of her talk on this panel: It is sad she has to come to Italy to receive the recognition she seldom ever received in the states. Sylvia Rivera Presente.
And for a “Peoples History of Stonewall” and not the revisionist and horridly inaccurate Metroline view of Queer History, I include a great piece from David Isay heard over the Pacifica Network: “Remembering Stonewall.” Enjoy hearing about the real story of Stonewall, in THEIR own words
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Can I just tell you how sickened I was by the recent issue of Metroline? The energy that they would usually reserve for the club scene was spent on what amounted to character assassination. Instead of trying to justify their poor reporting or hate on Jerimarie, the paper could have used that opportunity to report on fresh news, or even, (gasp!) work to create unity in the glbqti community/communities.
Thanks for the feedback kerri and clearly Metroline revealed its true colors in its latest issue. It is sad that a magazine which purports to have a long running history of “gay” news and reporting has no concept of history or the oppressions faced by many queer folks over the decades who did not or could not adhere to the old homophile movements view of assimilating into heterosexual norms. Sylvia and many of our trans sisters and brothers who have preceded us and those who today live in the margins of society have faced such attempted character assassinations, though we have and we will persevere and assure OUR voices are heard and our identities embraced!
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