I have spent 30 frustrating minutes frantically sifting through my memories of the early 1970s. If I did not meet Frank at the first international gay rights meeting in the UK then he wasn't there. I hope that I did meet him. There were people from the Mattachine Society in Buffalo, NY and from Washington. We talked about using "gay" rather like the black people had reclaimed the N word. We debated about whether to coin GLB and finally decided that women were already marginalised and thus lesbians doubly so, We agreed on LGB, which later added more letters. I would have been in my mid 20s. Frank, if he was there, would have been 22 years older in his late 40s. I do not recognise him from photos of when he is about my now current age. If I was introduced to him as the founder of the Mattachine, it wouldn't have meant much to me, as I knew very little of US gay politics at that time.
This meeting was before I met Lenny Matlovich in 1976. I didn't warm to Lenny because he wasn't glad to be gay (internalised homophobia). I was interested to read Frank's letter to Lenny. I am in accord with that letter. I was on the commitee that invited Lenny to be a guest speaker but I didn't agree to the invitation.
I sit a little sadly at (looks at my watch) 11.00 pm. I need to shift my focus before I go to bed.
Whoever you did or didn’t meet during that period, Ray, you were “in the room” as they say. From what little I know about you and your work, I see you as a pivotal person in our shared history…I just spoke to someone yesterday who knew you by your phenomenal reputation. He thought you might have crossed paths in LA or SF too, but wasn’t sure. He’s the last survivor of a “peer” group of those with HIV and was personal friends with one of my personal heroes, Paul Monette. I’m honored he shared some of the history with me.
My last (and probably final because of rude US immigration staff on every US visit) visit to the US was to NY, Chicago and SF. It was late1989 and I left SF half an hour before the earthquake.
All, or nearly all, of the HIV workers and volunteers in SF were HIV+ too. I worked for a day at the Center for Attitudiinal Healing and spent a week working as a psychic healer with a Hawaian healer called Acevado. I led meditation groups in SF when Acevedo had a holiday break. I met a sexual healer/sex worker and he introduced me to a load of porn stars. I don't recall Paul, if we met, but I am lousy at remembering names.
The customs/immigration folks ARE ridiculous. But glad you were able to make such a positive impression on so many. Thank you, Ray. You continue to inspire and teach. :-*
🕯️X100 for Frank. Respect. Cheers DougT 🇫🇴🇬🇧
Cheers Clint
Cheers to you, Doug!
❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯
Thanks for bringing this history out. Good to know.
Sure thing. I’m happy to shine some light on our pioneers. So many heroes!
Thank you, CIint.
I have spent 30 frustrating minutes frantically sifting through my memories of the early 1970s. If I did not meet Frank at the first international gay rights meeting in the UK then he wasn't there. I hope that I did meet him. There were people from the Mattachine Society in Buffalo, NY and from Washington. We talked about using "gay" rather like the black people had reclaimed the N word. We debated about whether to coin GLB and finally decided that women were already marginalised and thus lesbians doubly so, We agreed on LGB, which later added more letters. I would have been in my mid 20s. Frank, if he was there, would have been 22 years older in his late 40s. I do not recognise him from photos of when he is about my now current age. If I was introduced to him as the founder of the Mattachine, it wouldn't have meant much to me, as I knew very little of US gay politics at that time.
This meeting was before I met Lenny Matlovich in 1976. I didn't warm to Lenny because he wasn't glad to be gay (internalised homophobia). I was interested to read Frank's letter to Lenny. I am in accord with that letter. I was on the commitee that invited Lenny to be a guest speaker but I didn't agree to the invitation.
I sit a little sadly at (looks at my watch) 11.00 pm. I need to shift my focus before I go to bed.
Whoever you did or didn’t meet during that period, Ray, you were “in the room” as they say. From what little I know about you and your work, I see you as a pivotal person in our shared history…I just spoke to someone yesterday who knew you by your phenomenal reputation. He thought you might have crossed paths in LA or SF too, but wasn’t sure. He’s the last survivor of a “peer” group of those with HIV and was personal friends with one of my personal heroes, Paul Monette. I’m honored he shared some of the history with me.
My last (and probably final because of rude US immigration staff on every US visit) visit to the US was to NY, Chicago and SF. It was late1989 and I left SF half an hour before the earthquake.
All, or nearly all, of the HIV workers and volunteers in SF were HIV+ too. I worked for a day at the Center for Attitudiinal Healing and spent a week working as a psychic healer with a Hawaian healer called Acevado. I led meditation groups in SF when Acevedo had a holiday break. I met a sexual healer/sex worker and he introduced me to a load of porn stars. I don't recall Paul, if we met, but I am lousy at remembering names.
The customs/immigration folks ARE ridiculous. But glad you were able to make such a positive impression on so many. Thank you, Ray. You continue to inspire and teach. :-*