Tuesday, June 10, 2025

PHILLY PRIDE

Philadelphia pretty much told the Dump he could go fuck off. 

If you're in Philly and by City Hall you'll notice the Pride flag flies, as a symbol of Pride and unity for the LGBTQ since 1978.... and this year the city has also had City Hall illuminated in the Pride colors. I had the pleasure children of going to Philly Pride two weeks ago right after New Hope Pride. And it was the biggest crowd Philly drew yet in all the years I'd been going. I knew with Philly being a very old city it had great history, but even I got an education, when I met a handsome guy who turned out to be a Temple Associate Professor of English and LGBT studies when we were at The Little Gay Bar for drinks, who told me Philly was one of the first cities to have the concept of a Pride. Those demonstrations were more commonly known as the Annual Reminders. They started a good six years before Stonewall. One would have to go back to Sen Joseph McCarthy and the Red Scare. But he eventually turned his attention to gay people, specifically gay people who were working with the federal government. The Red Scare became known as the Lavender Scare and hundreds of people were fired from their jobs.

Ms Mahogany!

In 1952 Eisenhower signed an executive order, which made it illegal for gay people to work for the government, and other states had explicit anti-gay laws too. Two key organizations, Daughters of Bilitis and the Mattachine Society, wanted to do something, and they decided to take action in Philly and wanted to advocate for equal rights in front of Independence Hall. Which is why the demonstrations were call the Annual Reminders, because they wanted to remind everyone of our country's promise of equal rights and the pursuit of happiness for all. The goal was that in Philadelphia, July 4th was associated with freedom, but there would be a lot of tourists, so more people would see that gay people don't look like the screaming, loud queen or butch stereotypes. The first protest was on July 4, 1964. About 40 people showed up. Mind you, it was still dangerous to be out and advocating like this as being gay was listed as a mental illness. The groups made signs, and stood or walked, but remained silent. And dressed neatly.

This bitch?

Giovanni's Room. the oldest and one of the last all gay book shops in the country on the corner amidst the festival

Britttany' Lynn had the biggest children's Storytime Hour and made the Guinness Book.
Not one but two Dyke Marches. Heyyyyy Girls!
Getting the 500ft Pride Flag ready for its travel through the city.

It was the fifth year for the reminders, and it was just a few weeks after the Stonewall Riots in New York City. The owner of the Oscar Wilde Bookstore knew what was going on in Philadelphia, so he bussed over 50 activists to Philadelphia to get involved and join in with the Annual Reminders. Then, each year it grew. Now look it...over 300.000 people and the flag has flown each year since 1978!

29 comments:

  1. Great post. I'd heard of the Lavender Scare but wasn't sure what it was, and I didn't know it was illegal for gay people to work for the government. That sounds like something the orange mofo would like.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Well let's hope he doesn't read this and get any ideas. Nothing would surprise me what's on his agenda.

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  2. Tears in my eyes. So empowering and important.

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  3. Your post was a good history lesson for me as I had no idea that Eisenhower signed that executive order. As Janie said, it sounds like something that Felon #45/47 would do.

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    1. Until I was talking to that professor in Philly during Pride I had no idea either. Or for that fact any of this . But many presidents and Administrations , back then, many were not gay friendly.

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  4. Being seen is essential.

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  5. As usual, a good history lesson so we never forget.

    Love that last photo all done up rainbow style.

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    1. When we were taking our morning walk before any festivities started, and I saw the flags getting ready to be connected down the museum steps .. my breath just left. What a site that was.

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  6. Yes!
    Let the Children KNOW!
    And this is how you do Pride: so everybody is seen. And did I tell you I wore my Giovanni's Room t-shirt to Pride in Milwaukee?

    XOXO

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    1. I'm sure they would have loved that free advertising. Sometimes it makes me very sad how many people do not know this place still exist, and how very important it is to maintain it and give it business. I tell all my friends to order from them online. Cuz once this place is gone they're gone.

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    1. I don't think a day goes by Dave that I don't miss it. But I know I'll ultimately return to that area. And it's one city that despise is Trump.

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  8. Lead the way, Philadelphia, you are a Rainbow Beacon of Liberty!

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  9. I love how Philly is giving King TACO two middle fingers!

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    1. Always. Especially in the southeast he is not very well liked. I don't even think he comes to Philly anymore.

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  10. It is sad how few queer people know our own history, especially with so many books and documentaries available now. I read and watched everything I could get my hands on when I came out in 1989. Our history of rebellion and fighting for our rights goes back so much farther than Stonewall, and so many people think its started there. Thanks for helping to educate folks on some of our history.

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    1. Amen, Sassybear! Jx

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    2. Three more Prides to go Sassy bear. It's been a busy Pride season I'll tell you that. And all the more important to get out there. Show support and meet the community.🌈🌈🌈🌈

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  11. whkattk6/11/2025

    So much yet to learn. Oh, watch "Fellow Travelers" with Matt Bomer. Some awful truth is in there.

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  12. Fab. U. Lous!!

    My favourite quote on the matter? I use it a lot:

    “To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?” – Cicero

    Jx

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    1. I look forward to your London coverage!

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  13. Anonymous6/11/2025

    Well, we are home to the Liberty Bell and Constitution Hall after all.
    So much to be very proud of and the City of Brotherly Love thrives because of its pride of many ways.
    An old and proud Philadelphian. 🏳️‍🌈

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    1. I'm not even from Philadelphia originally I lived in the area for 26 years and there was much to be proud of in that area. One of the friendliest cities on the East Coast too if you ask me. And so much culture.

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  14. Is that you in the huge purple and blue wig, Maddie? I've watched PBS documentaries about the Lavender Scare and Stonewall, but I didn't know that Philadelphia started the Pride Parade movement. Those massive rainbow flags on the steps of City Hall (?) reminded me of the huge AIDS quilt in Washington during the height of that epidemic -- another example of resistance and protests that got results!

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    1. New York started the actual parade thing....but the concept of a yearly pride started in Philly the professor was telling me.

      Once the flags came down from the museum they connected to make a 500ft flag and then proceeded through town. It does rather put one in the mind of the AIDs quilt.

      That's a drag friend Bev Bitch!

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  15. Anonymous6/11/2025

    So proud of Philly !
    Home to the most beautiful City Hall in America and the fine Museum of Art.
    A city of tolerance as intended by the founding fathers of our United States.
    Freedom rings and wins no matter how its enemies try to silence it.
    Pan in Wynnewood.

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    1. Your right about that Pan. City Hall is one of my favorite buildings for architecture in the country. I could just sit and stare for ages studying the building. And your also right about the tolerance and the founding fathers. Maybe the current administration should see and take notes in Philly!!

      Thanks for popping tonight!

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  16. Excellent post! The picture are so fun and festive! I'm glad to see Philadelphia went off without a hitch. Live and let live I say.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!