BROOKLYN: Catholic School Rejects Gift From Gay-Friendly Politician

New York state Assemblyman Joe Lentol voted in favor of same-sex marriage. Which means a Brooklyn Catholic school has to send back his $50 donation.

Officials at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Williamsburg sent back a $50 gift from Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D-Brooklyn) - following Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio's edict to refuse any honors from pols who backed same-sex marriage. DiMarzio also told pastors and principals not to invite any state lawmakers to speak - whether or not they voted for the bill - because the diocese objects to the bill's dead-of-night approval. Lentol said he's been giving small donations around graduation time at the church's Queen of the Rosary Academy for the last 20 years - and was "disappointed" to have it sent back last week. "This was a civil issue involving equality for all people," Lentol said.

A diocese spokesman endorsed sending the money back, saying it was "preposterous" for his school to give pro-gay people a platform.

Amanda Lepore - Turn Me Over

NYC To Open Offices On Sunday, July 24th For First Day Of Same-Sex Marriages

New York City will take the "unusual step" of opening city offices on Sunday, July 24th so that gay couples may be married on the first day it becomes legal.

The city clerk’s offices in all five boroughs will open that day, and judges will be on hand to officiate at the weddings after couples receive marriage licenses. The decision by city officials to expedite same-sex weddings comes as city and town clerks across the state are grappling with the fact that the law goes into effect on a day when municipal offices are usually closed. Officials in some cities and towns say they are expecting a surge in marriage applications from same-sex couples. The announcement came a day after the city began allowing gay couples to apply online for marriage licenses, though they cannot be issued until July 24 — 30 days after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed the same-sex-marriage legislation following its approval by the Legislature.

It's unknown how many couples may show up on the first day, but city officials say they are bracing for long lines and big crowds of well-wishers.

QUEENS: Restaurant Offers Free Gay Wedding Reception

Popular Queens eatery Molly Blooms is offering a free gay wedding reception to one lucky couple whose names will be randomly selected from a bowl in the venue's lobby.

Ciaran Staunton, the owner of Molly Blooms in Sunnyside, is offering a free wedding reception to a gay couple who plan to tie the knot after the law legalizing same-sex marriage goes into effect July 24. "I think it's important to be part of this groundbreaking civil rights victory," said Staunton, who lives with his wife and two children in Sunnyside. "It's a wonderful moment for New York State and its residents." Staunton's offer, while generous, is also savvy. Queens has a large population of gay and lesbian couples who will be on the hunt for that perfect place to celebrate their nuptials.

The reception will include a buffet for 75 people and three hours of open bar. Not too shabby, but surely worth the goodwill Molly Blooms will win in return.

(Tipped by JMG reader Caleb)

Wal-Mart Tries Buy Its Way Into NYC

After years of being rebuffed by city leaders despite expensive PR campaigns, Wal-Mart is trying a more tried-and-true method of gaining a foothold in the nation's largest market.

The city's summer job program, which had been cut back this year, is seeing an influx of support from Wal-Mart, which donated $4 million -- enough to save about 3,400 jobs for teenagers. The location of the press conference announcing the donation was the Brownsville, Brooklyn, recreation center, a spot within a few miles of the site where Wal-Mart would like to put its first New York City store. When the Wal-Mart rep was asked if this donation had anything to do with the future potential site, the mayor stepped in. "I hope so. Why would anybody not hope so?" he said. The mayor then went on to say the city will not promote or discriminate against any stores who want to come here.

Movies At Bryant Park

During the summer months, New York City screens classic movies in Midtown's Bryant Park. Here's an oddly compelling and unnarrated clip from last week's screening.

Giuliani Won't Marry Gay Pals?

Remember when former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani fled to the home of his gay best friends during his divorce? And how he promised to personally marry them once it became legal? Not so much.

"I asked if he would marry us," recalled Howard Koeppel, the unlikely provider of an emergency Midtown crash pad to Giuliani for six months when his marriage to Donna Hanover was crumbling and Gracie Mansion was a war zone. "He said, 'Howard, I don't ever do anything that's not legal. If it becomes legal in New York, you'll be one of the first ones I would marry.'Ten years later, Koeppel is distressed that his former house guest hasn't returned the many calls he began making before the legislation was passed last week. "It seems like a lot of people he was close to become persona non grata," Koeppel observed.

One political wag observed: "[Presiding at the wedding] would be a sign he's no longer interested in running [as a Republican] for president -- ever."

Improv Everywhere - Carousel Horse Race

At NYC Pride 2011

By far the most popular person at yesterday's parade was Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose team had distributed thousands of placards reading "Promise kept! Thank you, Governor!" Hit this Gothamist link for lots more photos from the day.

Anniversary

It was June 27th, 1969.

That was the day that the queers of New York City finally said "Enough!" For some historical perspective, I'm posting the story that the New York Daily News ran about the Stonewall Riots. Note how the reports drips with condescension and ridicule. We've come a long, long way in 42 years and we've still got some distance to cover, but today we should all offer up a shout, a snap, and a moment of thanks to the people who started us down this road.

HOMO NEST RAIDED - QUEEN BEES ARE STINGING MAD

-by Jerry Lisker, New York Daily News, July 6th 1969

She sat there with her legs crossed, the lashes of her mascara-coated eyes beating like the wings of a hummingbird. She was angry. She was so upset she hadn't bothered to shave. A day old stubble was beginning to push through the pancake makeup. She was a he. A queen of Christopher Street.

Last weekend the queens had turned commandos and stood bra strap to bra strap against an invasion of the helmeted Tactical Patrol Force. The elite police squad had shut down one of their private gay clubs, the Stonewall Inn at 57 Christopher St., in the heart of a three-block homosexual community in Greenwich Village. Queen Power reared its bleached blonde head in revolt. New York City experienced its first homosexual riot. "We may have lost the battle, sweets, but the war is far from over," lisped an unofficial lady-in-waiting from the court of the Queens.

"We've had all we can take from the Gestapo," the spokesman, or spokeswoman, continued. "We're putting our foot down once and for all." The foot wore a spiked heel. According to reports, the Stonewall Inn, a two-story structure with a sand painted brick and opaque glass facade, was a mecca for the homosexual element in the village who wanted nothing but a private little place where they could congregate, drink, dance and do whatever little girls do when they get together.

The thick glass shut out the outside world of the street. Inside, the Stonewall bathed in wild, bright psychedelic lights, while the patrons writhed to the sounds of a juke box on a square dance floor surrounded by booths and tables. The bar did a good business and the waiters, or waitresses, were always kept busy, as they snaked their way around the dancing customers to the booths and tables. For nearly two years, peace and tranquility reigned supreme for the Alice in Wonderland clientele.

The Raid Last Friday

Last Friday the privacy of the Stonewall was invaded by police from the First Division. It was a raid. They had a warrant. After two years, police said they had been informed that liquor was being served on the premises. Since the Stonewall was without a license, the place was being closed. It was the law.

All hell broke loose when the police entered the Stonewall. The girls instinctively reached for each other. Others stood frozen, locked in an embrace of fear.

Only a handful of police were on hand for the initial landing in the homosexual beachhead. They ushered the patrons out onto Christopher Street, just off Sheridan Square. A crowd had formed in front of the Stonewall and the customers were greeted with cheers of encouragement from the gallery.

The whole proceeding took on the aura of a homosexual Academy Awards Night. The Queens pranced out to the street blowing kisses and waving to the crowd. A beauty of a specimen named Stella wailed uncontrollably while being led to the sidewalk in front of the Stonewall by a cop. She later confessed that she didn't protest the manhandling by the officer, it was just that her hair was in curlers and she was afraid her new beau might be in the crowd and spot her. She didn't want him to see her this way, she wept.

Queen Power

The crowd began to get out of hand, eye witnesses said. Then, without warning, Queen Power exploded with all the fury of a gay atomic bomb. Queens, princesses and ladies-in-waiting began hurling anything they could get their polished, manicured fingernails on. Bobby pins, compacts, curlers, lipstick tubes and other femme fatale missiles were flying in the direction of the cops. The war was on. The lilies of the valley had become carnivorous jungle plants.

Urged on by cries of "C'mon girls, lets go get'em," the defenders of Stonewall launched an attack. The cops called for assistance. To the rescue came the Tactical Patrol Force.

Flushed with the excitement of battle, a fellow called Gloria pranced around like Wonder Woman, while several Florence Nightingales administered first aid to the fallen warriors. There were some assorted scratches and bruises, but nothing serious was suffered by the honeys turned Madwoman of Chaillot.

Official reports listed four injured policemen with 13 arrests. The War of the Roses lasted about 2 hours from about midnight to 2 a.m. There was a return bout Wednesday night.

Two veterans recently recalled the battle and issued a warning to the cops. "If they close up all the gay joints in this area, there is going to be all out war."

Bruce and Nan

Both said they were refugees from Indiana and had come to New York where they could live together happily ever after. They were in their early 20's. They preferred to be called by their married names, Bruce and Nan.

"I don't like your paper," Nan lisped matter-of-factly. "It's anti-fag and pro-cop."

"I'll bet you didn't see what they did to the Stonewall. Did the pigs tell you that they smashed everything in sight? Did you ask them why they stole money out of the cash register and then smashed it with a sledge hammer? Did you ask them why it took them two years to discover that the Stonewall didn't have a liquor license."

Bruce nodded in agreement and reached over for Nan's trembling hands.

"Calm down, doll," he said. "Your face is getting all flushed."

Nan wiped her face with a tissue.

"This would have to happen right before the wedding. The reception was going to be held at the Stonewall, too," Nan said, tossing her ashen-tinted hair over her shoulder.

"What wedding?," the bystander asked.

Nan frowned with a how-could-anybody-be-so-stupid look. "Eric and Jack's wedding, of course. They're finally tying the knot. I thought they'd never get together."

Meet Shirley

"We'll have to find another place, that's all there is to it," Bruce sighed. "But every time we start a place, the cops break it up sooner or later."

"They let us operate just as long as the payoff is regular," Nan said bitterly. "I believe they closed up the Stonewall because there was some trouble with the payoff to the cops. I think that's the real reason. It's a shame. It was such a lovely place. We never bothered anybody. Why couldn't they leave us alone?"

Shirley Evans, a neighbor with two children, agrees that the Stonewall was not a rowdy place and the persons who frequented the club were never troublesome. She lives at 45 Christopher St.

"Up until the night of the police raid there was never any trouble there," she said. "The homosexuals minded their own business and never bothered a soul. There were never any fights or hollering, or anything like that. They just wanted to be left alone. I don't know what they did inside, but that's their business. I was never in there myself. It was just awful when the police came. It was like a swarm of hornets attacking a bunch of butterflies."

A reporter visited the now closed Stonewall and it indeed looked like a cyclone had struck the premises.

Police said there were over 200 people in the Stonewall when they entered with a warrant. The crowd outside was estimated at 500 to 1,000. According to police, the Stonewall had been under observation for some time. Being a private club, plain clothesmen were refused entrance to the inside when they periodically tried to check the place. "They had the tightest security in the Village," a First Division officer said, "We could never get near the place without a warrant."

Police Talk

The men of the First Division were unable to find any humor in the situation, despite the comical overtones of the raid.

"They were throwing more than lace hankies," one inspector said. "I was almost decapitated by a slab of thick glass. It was thrown like a discus and just missed my throat by inches. The beer can didn't miss, though, "it hit me right above the temple."

Police also believe the club was operated by Mafia connected owners. The police did confiscate the Stonewall's cash register as proceeds from an illegal operation. The receipts were counted and are on file at the division headquarters. The warrant was served and the establishment closed on the grounds it was an illegal membership club with no license, and no license to serve liquor.

The police are sure of one thing. They haven't heard the last from the Girls of Christopher Street.

They sure fucking haven't. Now get your ass up and get down to the parade.

NYC Pride Weather

The first sunny day in a week.

Westboro To Picket NYC Pride Today

More here (PDF).

SLIDESHOW: JMG Pride Party

Last night's JMG pride party (and marriage celebration!) at the Gramercy Theater was LOTS of fun. Promoter Chip Duckett staffed the room with a small flotilla of leggy drag queens who kept the booze and nibbly bits flowing, but my favorite part was when the JMG cookie trays went around the room. (See above.) Reportedly, I'm not as bitter and cynical tasting as you might expect. I met readers from all over the country, as well folks from Singapore, Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Huge thanks to all for coming out! Hit the slideshow below for lots of groovy faces. Full-screen versions here.

TONIGHT In NYC: Free JMG Pride Party & Marriage Celebration With Open Wine Bar & Legendary Drag Performer Jackie Beat!

If you're in Manhattan tonight, please consider joining me and fellow JMG readers for a special Pride Party in the private lounge at the Gramercy Theatre, 127 East 23 Street. Beginning at 10pm we'll have an open wine and champagne bar courtesy of Barefoot Wines. Slurp! Come celebrate one of the greatest victories in LGBT history!

AND the first 20 people to respond to this email: JMGParty@gmail.com will start the evening with free tickets to the new show by legendary drag performer Jackie Beat, Pray Away The Gay. (Enter the discount code "JMG" for $18 tickets if you don't make the freebie cut.)

I'm looking forward to seeing lots of you there!

At Blowoff's NYC Pride Party

I haven't allowed any self-photos on this here blog in a while, but I don't hate this shot by Father Tony too much. That's superstar DJ Rich Morel on my left, then birthday boy (30!) Eric Leven, then Tony's husband. An amazing night that including an fantastic state-by-state equality countdown on the giant screen. You'd have thought the roof was coming off when New York came up. More of Tony's photos are here.

New York Daily News Reacts

Very nice cover from the Daily News. However, today's front page of the wingnut New York Post shows a woman attempting suicide by leaping from her roof.

A Rainbow State Of Mind

The Empire State Building is usually lit in all lavender for gay Pride weekend. (Source)

Crowds Swell Outside Stonewall Inn

Waiting, hoping. (Source)

Outside Obama's NYC Fundraiser

March With Us This Sunday!

The NYC Digital Activists will march in NYC Pride for the third year this Sunday. If you would like to march with our group, we step off at 1PM, on 37th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison. Find Section 11, Group 13. All are welcome! Look for our banner. And join us!