STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association
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Events  2010   *   2011   *   2012  *  2013  *   2014   *   2015   *   2016   *   2017   *   2018   *   2019  
 
"STONEWALL-49" in 2018 -and- "STONEWALL-50" in 2019!
"2018 S.V.A. Events"
S.V.A. website:  www.StonewallVets.org/mainpage.htm
*   e-mail: SVA@StonewallVets.org   *   telephone: (212) 627-1969   *
   
 SVA's color theme for December is red for Christmas
Updated:  25 January 2019 @ 5 p.m. EST







Saturday, December 29 to 31, 2018 -- NEW YEAR's HOLIDAY WEEKEND!  SVA's NEXT MEETING IS NEXT YEAR!

S.V.A. Monthly Meeting - Saturday 26, 2019

STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association does not meet on holidays or holiday weekends.  The SVA's
next monthly meeting is next year on 'the last Saturday of the month', January 26th, 2019 @ 3:15 until 5 p.m.
There is a surprise New York 'elected' guest speaker!  This meeting features 'select' candidates for the next NYC
Public Advocate (P/A).  Candidates 
must schedule a specific time with S.V.A.  P/A election is Tuesday, February 26th!





Monday, December 31 -- DIANA ROSS PERFORMS on "NBC-TV's NEW YEAR'S EVE SHOW"

This New Year's Eve show is for millions of most folks who like to be at home!  Enjoy Supreme Diana Ross, too!  Diana comes out singing "I'm Coming Out", followed by her beautiful ballard "The Land Before Time" (number one in Japan) and her international anthem "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"!  The NBC-TV (channel 4 in NY Tri-State area) new year's show counts down @ 11:30 p.m.   
Washington.Carpe-Diem.Events/calendar/8854392-Diana-Ross-at-NBCs-New-Years-Eve-Show-at-Times-Square-NYC
.






Sunday, December 30 -- BIRTHDAY: STEVEN L. GRADMAN, PRESIDENT of PRIDE DEMOCRATS of NYC    






December 28 -- CHRISTINE McGUIRE of the SINGING McGUIRE SISTERS DIES @ 92

The lifelong singing McGuire Sisters -- Phyllis, Christine and Dorothy -- had many hits throughout the 1950s and into the early 1960s.  Christine passed peacefully at her splendid home in Las Vegas at the impressive age of 92.  She is survived by her younger sister and lead singer of the group Phyllis.  Here is Christine McGuire's obituary -- with a link to the McGuire Sisters' grandly performing several of their big hits flawlessly in their 70s -- in The New York Times:
www.NYTimes.com/2019/01/04/Obituaries/Christine-McGuire-dead at 92.html






Friday, December 28 -- BIRTHDAY: STONEWALL SONGSTRESS MARY WEISS, LEADER of THE SHANGRI-LAS






Wednesday, December 26 -- STONEWALL JUKEBOX SINGER CHER RECEIVES KENNEDY CENTER HONOR

Cher Sarkisian had relatively few songs in the original STONEWALL Club jukebox from 1966 to 1969.  She mainly had duets with then-boyfriend Sonny Bono like "The Beat Goes On" (1967).  Cher had a few singles like "Bang! Bang!", the original "Alfie" (non-hit) and a remake of girl group song "Our Day Will Come".  Diva Cher has won an Academy Award, an Emmy, a Grammy and a few Golden Globes, among many other accolades.  Cyndi Lauper provides a surprise tribute to her friend Cher by singing "If I Could Turn Back Time".  The prestigeous Kennedy Center Honors is broadcast from D.C. this evening @ 8 p.m.  Coincidentally, Cher, signed to Philles Records in 1963 as part of the Sonny Bono deal, was a background singer on all ten of the songs by Darlene Love and also The Ronettes and The Crystals in the great Christmas album shown below produced by legendary Phil Spector!  Listed in the musician credits as background vocals: Edna Wright (Darlene's sister) and Cher!






   Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 -- CHRISTMAS DAY (INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY)

The Phil Spector Artists

Classic Rock 'n' Soul Holiday and Christmas album
"A Christmas Gift For You" starring:
Miss Darlene Love, The Ronettes, The Crystals, and
Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans produced by Phil Spector!
Holiday Musical Gift:  In the New York City and surrounding
areas, you can hear many of these Spector-produced holiday
songs through Christmas eve on WCBS F.M. Radio at 101.1!






Saturday, December 22 -- DARLENE LOVE'S CHRISTMAS CONCERT at SONY HALL in NYC

This annual series of Christmas concerts by legendary Darlene Love is a holiday tradition!  The highlight of the show is Darlene's most popular holiday song, "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home".  Paul Schaefer exuberantly leads the outstanding  "Wall-of-Sound" band.  
You never know who you are going to see at Darlene's Christmas show.  Celebrities prior include Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler and Cher -- all of whom have worked with D.L.  For many years, Darlene's Christmas show was booked at The Bottom Line in Greenwich Village and then, for decades, at B.B. King's (until it closed earlier this year) at Times Square.  Located just four blocks north, Sony Hall is at 235 West 46th Street at Eighth Avenue.  Sony Hall was formerly the renowned nightclub Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe.  Doors open @ 6 p.m. for a full-menu dinner.  Showtime is @ 8 p.m.
www.StonewallVets.org/songsofStonewall-5.htm





Thursday, December 13 -- NEW YORK CITY G.L.B.T. POLITICAL GROUPS CONFERENCE

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ("G.L.B.T.") group discussions will include reunifying, i.e., unity, of some key political and politically-aware G.L.B.T. organizations in Brooklyn.  The conference is hosted personally by Eric L. Adams, the Brooklyn Borough President.  Groups participating include the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association, the G.L.B.T.S. Political Coalition, the Brooklyn LGBT Pride Center and the PRIDE Democrats of New York City.  Originally, six out of seven G.L.B.T. groups confirmed.  (Unfortunately, two of the confirmed GLBT groups failed to participate.  Maybe next time.)   There will be a clarification of past realities such as the S.V.A. helped establish Brooklyn Pride, led the Brooklyn Gay Pride parades for a dozen years and was a grand marshall, and, now, future strategies.  
A timely topic is deciding preliminary G.L.B.T. guidelines and outlines for "STONEWALL 50"!  The S.V.A. appears via its director Willson Henderson and Boardmember Ramon Bellido.  This special conference is called to order @ 4:30 p.m.  Venue is post-event revealed as Brooklyn Borough Hall.






Wednesday, December 12 -- CONNIE FRANCIS, STONEWALL JUKEBOX SONGSTRESS, BIRTHDAY

Miss Connie Francis has the everlasting honor of having her #1 song "Where The Boys Are" (WTBA) from her hit movie of the same name in 1961 be the last song played on virtually every Gay bar and club's jukebox throughout all of the 1960s and into the 1970s and beyond!  It also let the patrons know the place was about to close for the night.  With the very title of her song, "WTBA", obviously it would be an instant Gay favourite!  At Connie's concerts, besides announcing her signature song as her favorite, she proudly stated that "WTBA" is also known as the 'Gay National Anthem'!  God bless Connie and H.B.!





Wednesday, December 12 -- STONEWALL JUKEBOX BIRTHDAY: DIONNE WARWICK





Wednesday, December 12 -- REMEMBERING N.Y.C. MAYOR ED KOCH (1924 - 2013)

Visit legendary N.Y.C. Mayor Ed Koch's interesting webfile with letters and photos at the S.V.A. website:
www.StonewallVets.org/EdKoch.htm.





Friday, December 7th -- NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY (1941-2018)
The worst day in American history was early on a Sunday morning, December 7th, 1941 with the Japanese sneak attack on U.S. military forces and others during wartime!  It was out-murdered on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001 with the four extremist Islamic sneak attacks on civilians in America!  Nonetheless, Pearl Harbor Day is now remembered as 'the second worst day in American history'!
www.AJC.com/news/World/things-know-about-Pearl-Harbor-the-77th-Anniversary






Sunday, December 2 -- HAPPY CHANUKAH to SVA's JEWISH MEMBERS, SUPPORTERS, FRIENDS and SPONSORS





Saturday, December 1, 2018 -- WORLD A.I.D.S. DAY -- REMEMBERING SVA-ERS WE'VE LOST





Friday, November 30 -- U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH, Sr., DIES @ HISTORIC AGE 94

Former President George H.W. Bush, Sr., ("GHWB"), was born on June 12, 1924 in Massachusetts (not Texas as is widely and wrongly assumed).  GHWB was a military pilot, a World War II hero, a congressmember (from Texas), a U.N. ambassador, a U.S. liaison to China, director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Vice-President for eight years (under President Ronald Reagan) and U.S. President, among other accolades!  He was married in New York (not Texas).  With his popular wife of 75 years, Barbara, they had six children, 17 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren!  At 94, President Bush, Sr. was the oldest living U.S. president in history!  Obviously, Willson Henderson did not need the GLBT community to meet with a U.S. President!  On the contrary; how many Gay leaders do you know who met with an American president in 1989 -- or before -- and especially with his boyfriend next to him?!  GHWB was a person who virtually everyone liked -- even his relatively few political opponents!  His funeral in DC will have all five living presidents and all five first ladies!  R.I.P.


President Bush Sr. with Willson Henderson

Willson L. Henderson with President George H.W. Bush, Sr. in 1989
(Not clearly seen behind WLH is his 1980s boyfriend Donald Williams.
You do see his tuxedo bowtie, colorful pocket hanky and his left ear.)
[Photography by an Official Photographer of The White House] 







Wednesday, November 28 -- CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING at ROCKEFELLER CENTER FEATURING DIANA ROSS

This is the NYC 86th Annual Christmas Tree-Lighting in Rockefeller Center!  Fresh off co-starring with Santa Claus in the Thanksgiving Parade six days ago, supreme Diana Ross performs her new Christmas song "(Simply Having A) Wonderful Christmas Time" again tonight!  (The song was written and originally recorded  by Paul McCartney.)  This biggest Christmas tree-in-the-World tradition lights-up at Rockefeller Plaza on Fifth Avenue between West 49th and 50th streets in Manhattan, NYC @ 8 p.m.  There is a two-hour televised special with many other performers, including Tony Bennett, on NBC-TV!

People.com/TV/NBC-Christmas-Rockefeller-Center-lineup-Diana Ross-2018






Saturday, November 24 -- S.V.A. NO LONGER MEETS on HOLIDAY WEEKENDS (why should we)





Thursday, November 22 -- N.Y.C. 92nd ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE FEATURING DIANA ROSS

A half-century ago, among many other 'happenings', Diana Ross was the singing star of the original STONEWALL Club jukebox!  Now, among other happenings, Supreme Diana will be the featured -- and performing -- star entertainer of the 92nd annual Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City!  FYI, the first NYC Turkey Day parade was in 1924 (two years it was skipped due to World War II cutbacks).  Miss Ross will supremely have her own huge Holiday Calendar Countdown  float over three stories high!  The appropriate "Take Me Higher" songstress is high atop the artistic float in a winter white sequined gown and white faux fur coat!  The T-Day parade navigates from the West 70s down Central Park West across 59th Street and down the Avenue of the Americas.  It is broadcast 'live' from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on CBS-TV.  The parade encores from the West 34th Street location (on the block-long side of Macy*s) with 'live' performances added, including Diana Ross and the famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on NBC-TV!   www.HollywoodReporter.com/News/Diana-Ross-performs-Macys-Thanksgiving-Parade 






November 22 -- REMEMBERING U.S.A. PRESIDENT JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY (November 29, 1917 to November 22, 1963)





Thursday, November 22, 2018 -- AMERICAN THANKSGIVING DAY (HOLIDAY)






Wednesday, November 21 (eve) -- SYMPATHY:  NY STATE SENATOR and S.V.A. SUPPORTER JOSE RAFAEL PERALTA at 47





Thursday, November 15 -- STONEWALL JUKEBOX STAR BIRTHDAY: PETULA CLARK





Sunday, November 11, 2018 -- AMERICAN VETERANS' DAY





Saturday, November 10 -- BIRTHDAY: "STONEWALL" MOVIE DIRECTOR ROLAND EMMERICH





Thursday, November 8 -- STONEWALL VET BIRTHDAY: JITTERZ GREENFIELD from NEW JERSEY





Tuesday, November 6 -- AMERICAN ELECTION DAY -- *V*O*T*E*





Wednesday, October 31 -- HALLOWEEN FUNDAY -and- NYC 45th ANNUAL GREENWICH VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE

For all the gory details on NYC's 45th Annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, line-up @ 7 p.m., parade creeping @ 8 p.m., visit:  www.Halloween-NYC.com.  Although the STONEWALL  Veterans' Association has been personally invited to participate again in the famous parade with the SVA's beautiful 1969 classic convertible, the S.V.A. does not have enough able Stonewall vets who are emotionally up to costuming, physically ready for the 'thriller' challenge, particularly at night (and it could be chilly)!  SVA-ers will watch the exciting parade -- especially the Michael Jackson "Thriller" dancers -- on NY-1 television news channel which broadcasts the parade 'live' until 10 p.m.  You can also see the parade post-event at the Spectrum New York One's website at: www.NY1.com.





Saturday, October 27, 2018 -- STONEWALL REBELLION VETERANS' ASSOCIATION MONTHLY MEETING

The S.V.A. will be wrapping up this year's "Stonewall 49" and discussing preliminary plans for "STONEWALL 50" (S/W-50)!  So many G.L.B.T. groups disingenuously act and promote like they started "Stonewall".  Many groups use it as a selfish fund-raising device for them -- never any support to the real "Stonewall" people!  Said groups such as the S.D.C. will be called out and they will know it!  S.V.A. is the legendary Stonewall veterans not the Stonewall pussycats.  A national media reporter, working on an S.V.A. project for S/W-50 with post-meeting S/W interviews, will be among the invitees.  Happening is captained by SVA's director Willson Henderson.  Venue is the SVA's 'secret headquarters' exclusively for Stonewall veteran members in great standing and super special guests!  SVA's general manager AnDre Christie greets all at the door!  Meeting lights up @ 3:15 p.m.






Friday, October 19 -- S.V.A. BIRTHDAY: PATTI RENE STONE of LONG ISLAND and FLORIDA





Thursday, October 18 -- STONEWALL VETERANS MEETING with N.Y.C. COUNCILWOMAN

The long-planned meeting is held in the New York City Councilwoman's office at the 250 Broadway building in Manhattan opposite City Hall.  Representing the S.V.A. are Willson Henderson, Bert Coffman and Ramon Bellido.  One of the topics is, of course, "S/W-50"!  Gathering starts @ 4 p.m.





Thursday, October 13 -- S.V.A. STAFFER BIRTHDAY: JON JAY LUX of THE BRONX and L.I.





Friday, October 12 -- S.V.A. MEETING with ANOTHER PUBLIC OFFICIAL from BROOKLYN, NYC

Although the public official is an elected from Brooklyn and the SVA's rep Willson Henderson was born in Brooklyn, the dinner meeting is in Manhattan!  Toasts in Greenwich Village are @ 6:30 p.m.; organic dinners @ 7 p.m.





Thursday, October 11 -- NATIONAL "COMING OUT GAY DAY" DURING G.L.B.T. HISTORY MONTH





Wednesday, October 10 -- STONEWALL VET BIRTHDAY: ANTONIO 'TONY' VIERRA of THE BRONX





Monday, October 8 -- SVA-ER BERT COFFMAN SPEAKS about "STONEWALL" in ALBANY, NY






Saturday, October 6 -- BIRTHDAY DINNER PARTY for SVA'S DIRECTOR WILLSON HENDERSON

{updated}  The STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association ("S.V.A.") is so happy to be able to celebrate the birthday of our fierce founder and diligent director Willson L. Henderson ("WLH").  The S.V.A. is also thankful to have many of our Stonewall veterans alive with many active and saddened that most of the Stonewall vets are unfortunately deceased, mainly from the AIDS War!  It is a recognized reality that without Willson, there would be no S.V.A., no continuing realistic "Stonewall" legacy  and no one looking out for the S/W vets and ensuring the real 'Stonewall stories'.  For five decades, WLH has exclusively kept burning the light of Stonewall!  The WLH birthday dinner most appropriate and handsome host is the SVA's general manager AnDre M. Christie.  Like all private parties, the 411 is provided to members, friends and supporters in great 'standing' and who have duly RSVP'd.  Venue is at an impressive Greenwich Village restaurant.  'Greentinis' (WLH's favorite drink) toast @ 5 p.m.  For 411 on WLH's half-century of Gay life and longtime service to the G.L.B.T. communities: : www.StonewallVets.org/WillsonHenderson.htm.






Friday, October 5 -- SVA's FOUNDER and DIRECTOR'S BIRTHDAY: WILLSON L. HENDERSON of NYC






Sunday, September 30 -- BROADWAY CARES PRESENTS ITS "32nd ANNUAL FLEA MARKET & AUCTION"

Braodway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS ("BC/EFA") produces this exciting fund-raising event in Shubert Alley at Broadway and West 44th Street in Manhattan, NY from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.  For more 411 and photos, see:  www.BroadwayCares.org.





Saturday, September 29 -- SVA's MONTHLY MEETING EMCEE'D by WILLSON HENDERSON @ 3:15 p.m.

Main topics include, but are not limited to:  "STONEWALL-50" next June, the two New York City Gay Pride marches in 2019, the SVA's 50th annual conference and S/W vets' reunion, the SVA's invitations to lead G.L.B.T. Pride parades in various American cities, and the SVA's planned "Stonewall Jukebox Christmas Party" this December!  Several Stonewall veterans have confirmed attendance for today's get2gether to provide updates on communications from G.L.B.T. organizations, public official supporters, planned meetings, voting on the venue for next year's conference, and the status of ailing Stonewall veterans -- who no one in the G.L.B.T. community gives a damn about except for the S.V.A.  NOTE: This month's meeting is 'private' only for S.V.A. members in good standing; not open to the public!  Said members, including dues and donations paid, may contact the SVA's 2nd Vice-President for meeting location.  Since it's at a restaurant, there will be plenty of food!  Feed the S/W vetz!  For more 411 on the legendary S.V.A., visit  www.StonewallVets.org.






Mond
ay, September 17 -- S.V.A. SPECIAL MEETING with a MALE, AFRO-AMERICAN, BROOKLYN PUBLIC OFFICIAL at HIS OFFICE in BROOKLYN, NYC @ 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.





Sunday, September 16 -- STONEWALL VETERAN BIRTHDAY: CARL J. KELLER of CONNECTICUT





13 September (evening) --  S.V.A. INVITED to PRIMARY ELECTION NIGHT PARTIES in MANHATTAN

The S.V.A. is thoughtfully invited to election night parties by thoughtful candidates.  Several S.V.A. members headed up by SVA's general manager AnDre M. Christie are attending the victory bash of NYS Governor Andrew M. Cuomo ("AMC") at the Ainsworth Hotel ballroom off Fifth Avenue at 45 East 33rd Street in Manhattan @ 8 p.m.  After the polls close @ 9 p.m., AMC's landslide victory for his third term nomination will be declared pronto!  SVA's director Willson Henderson and other Stonewall veterans attend Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney's expected 'win' event for NYS Attorney General at the Spanish Benevolent Society on West 14th Street between the Gay communities of Chelsea and Greenwich Village.  "Thoughtful campaigns" does not intend self-serving candidates who just use the G.L.B.T. community on a one-way street for the candidate's endorsements, volunteeres, donors and votes!  With the S.V.A., it must be a two-way street!  For more prominent, two-way supporters of the S.V.A. for a half-century, visit:  www.StonewallVets.org/prominentsupporters.htm






Wednesday, September 12 -- STONEWALL VET BIRTHDAY: RAMON F. BELLIDO of MANHATTAN





Thursday, September 13, 2018 -- PRIMARY ELECTION DAY:  vote! Vote! VOTE!

For the endorsements by the PRIDE Democrats of New York City, please view:  www.PRIDEdemocrats.org .






Tuesday, September 11th, 2018 -- TRAGIC 17th ANNIVERSARY of the FOUR (4) ISLAMIC TERRORIST SNEAK ATTACKS on AMERICA in 2001 KILLING over 3,000 INNOCENT PEOPLE and STILL COUNTING with the  DISEASES CONTRACTED by FIRST-RESPONDERS!!!! 





Sunday, September 9 -- S.V.A. MEETING with a NEW YORK STATE SENATOR in THE BRONX @ 3 p.m.






Saturday, September 8 (eve) -- S.V.A. MEETING with a NEW YORK STATE SENATOR in BROOKLYN @ 5 p.m.





Saturday, September 8 (afternoon) -- RECLAIM GLBT PRIDE NYC COMMITTEE (RPC) MEETING @ 1:30 p.m.

Since this special G.L.B.T. Pride committee is focused on next year's "STONEWALL 50" and the 50th annual march (for 2019  it will be a 'march' -- or two), the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association has been invited again and will attend again!!  The SVA's director Willson Henderson suggested the name for the march and it was unanimously approved:  "Spirit of Stonewall March: Stonewall 50"!  The meeting is at the Manhattan GLBT Centre at 212 West 13 Street in Manhattan @ 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.  





Thursday, September 6 -- S.V.A. LUNCHEON MEETING with a NYC CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE @ 3 p.m.






Saturday, September 1 to Monday, September 3, 2018 -- AMERICAN LABOR DAY WEEKEND HOLIDAY





Saturday, August 25 -- PRIDE DEMOCRATS PRESENTS CONGRESSWOMAN YVETTE D. CLARKE at the NEW YORK CITY G.L.B.T. CENTRE @ 5 p.m.





Saturday, August 25 -- S.V.A. ATTENDS the RECLAIM N.Y.C. PRIDE COALITION (RPC) MEETING

"STONEWALL 50" (S/W-50) has been brewing for nearly a half-century!  Now, it is less than ten months away.  Let S.V.A. be clear (we always are):  The Stonewall Veterans, as duly and only represented by the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association ("S.V.A."), are disrespected, insulted and bored with waiting for Heritage of Pride ("HOP"), the Gay parade organizers, to consult the veterans of the Stonewall Inn police raids and the 1969 Stonewall uprising about "S/W-50".  Everybody knows that not to do so is ignorant!  Clearly, S.V.A. is who HOP should have first consulted -- before anyone including the WorldPride groups, the NYCPD and the mayor's office!  None of them were at Stonewall anything; we were!  The HOP has no delay communicating with every 'Pride' committee throughout the World and, of course, their mostly self-serving moneybag$ corporate sponsor$.  HOP has learned zero, nada and zilch from all of their mistakes from "Stonewall 25"!  That's why there were two marches!!  Like Yogi Berra said: "It's deja vu all over again"!!  HOP has had a "Stonewall 50" committee in its fifth year (chaired by a disconnected, thoughtless and mindless incompetent) and never contacted the S.V.A.  How ignorant by anybody's standards or lack therefof!  What are they waiting for?  Last time any HOP-ers (that was one) were at the annual S.V.A. conference and reunion was sixteen years ago!  Again, what are they rudely waiting for?  All the alleged 'heroes' to be institutionalized or dead?  During these five years of HOP's "S/W-50" committee non-communication, three more Stonewall vets died!  Do you 'get the picture'?  We do!  The SVA's liaison Jeremiah Newton was only called once and that was over a year ago by the HOP parade committee's arbitrary and no sense of real pride chairperson to rudely inform the Stonewall vets that HOP would -not- provide any convertibles to transport them in the parade.  How do you spell 'ingrates'?  
The Reclaim Pride NYC Coalition ("RPC") has the appropriate approach to everything "Stonewall"!  Various Stonewall veterans have individually attended RPC meetings since before and after the unacceptably HOP-organized 2018 parade -- "The parade from nowhere to nowhere!"  It boringly emptied out in the Little India restaurant area bordering Koreatown!  Wtf?  Many S/W vets have reported to the SVA's director Willson Henderson("WLH") that the RPC is the 'right fit' for the  survivors of Stonewall including positive, orderly, polite meetings and, particularly, the crucial ingredient -- sung perfectly by that Stonewall songstress Aretha -- "R-e-s-p-e-c-t"!  Representing the S.V.A., WLH and other S/W vets attended the two-hour get2gether.  The RPC is the historical and logical successor and continuation of the "S/W-25" 'alternate' Gay Pride March in 1994 known as "The Spirit of Stonewall March".  The weekly RPC meeting today was at the Manhattan GLBT Centre from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.  Visit the RPC for more 411 at:  www.ReclaimPrideNYC.org.  See information and photos about the historic two Gay Pride marches in one town on the same day:  "Stonewall 25" on Sunday, June 26, 1994 in New York City!!
www.StonewallVets.org/SpiritofStonewall.htm
.






Tuesday, August 21 -- POW-WOW:  SVA STONEWALL VETS and THE STONEWALL INN @ 4 p.m.






Thursday, August 16, 2018 -- ARETHA FRANKLIN, QUEEN of SOUL, DIES in DETROIT @ 76

Aretha Franklin is unquestionably the 'Queen of Soul'!  Did Queen Aretha have songs in the original STONEWALL Club jukebox?  Lettuce put it this way:  Since Aretha's first Atlantic Records hit song "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love U" (a 10-word title) at the beginning of 1967, there was never a time that she did not have a record in the Stonewall Jukebox!  Like most popular artists, their record companies issued singles four times a year (every three months).  Aretha's big hits in The Stonewall Jukebox also included in 1967:  "R-e-s-p-e-c-t", "(Baby, Baby) Baby I Love You", "(U Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"; in 1968: "(Chain, Chain, Chain) Chain Of Fools", "(Sweet, Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone", "Think (Think About It)", "The House That Jack Built"; and in 1969: "See-Saw", "I Can't See Myself Leaving U" and "Share Your Love With Me"!  Aretha was atypically successful with flipside hits like "I Say A Little Prayer", "Dr. Feelgood", "You Send Me", "Ain't No Way" and "My Song".  Read more about Aretha's songs in the late 1960's Stonewall Jukebox at:  www.StonewallVets.org/songsofStonewall-4.htm.






Thursday, August 16 -- STONEWALL VET BIRTHDAY:  R. RUSTY ROSE in LONG ISLAND






Wednesday, August 15 -- BIRTHDAY:  S.V.A. HONORARY MEMBER NYS JUSTICE DORIS LING-COHAN





Saturday, August 11 -- S.V.A. RECEIVES ITS FIRST SPEAKING REQUEST for "STONEWALL 50"   







Friday, August 10 -- S.V.A. SUPPER MEETING with SVA SPONSOR NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE





July 2018 -- STONEWALL REBELLION VETERANS' ASSOCIATION's 49th ANNIVERSARY

Not many, if any, G.L.B.T. organizations can celebrate that they are in their 50th year!  In fact, not many of any organizations can state that they are in their 50th or more year!  The STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association can and does!  The S.V.A. never thought that when a group of social friends -- patrons of the original Stonewall Club from 1966 to 1969  -- formed the S.V.A. association  on Friday evening, July 11th, 1969, at a spacious and friendly New York City kosher deli-restaurant on 14th Street in Manhattan that it would lead to a significant and flourishing organization a half-century later!  Next time that you see a Stonewall veteran, instead of just the generic 'Happy Pride' or a blank stare, proudly say 'thank you'!  Support the non-profit S.V.A.!


National STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association






July 23 -- REMEMBERING NYC COUNCILMAN JAMES E. "JED" DAVIS MURDERED in CITY HALL

Remembering the tragically shocking and senseless death of the outstanding, energetic and handsome New York City councilman, James E. "Jed" Davis -- by an obsessed, drug-induced, biracial Gay man!  Jed was murdered with a gun on the public balcony, right before a scheduled session, in the City Hall Chamber on July 23, 2003.  Jed had an obviously bright future in New York City government going all the way to the top!  He was only 41.  New York One News television broadcasted a special tribute to Jed on their "NY-1 News Live @ 10" show sincerely hosted by Cheryl Wills.  NY-1 News was in contact with the S.V.A. before and after the memoorable telecast.  For information about Jed Davis's total support of the S.V.A. and his close relationship with the SVA's founder Willson Henderson, see:  www.StonewallVets.org/JamesDavis.htm








Monday, July 23 -- BIRTHDAY BALLOONS for SVA'S WEBMISTRESS BABSALA LYNN








Wednesday, July 11 -- NYS GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO's "HAPPY SUMMER PARTY"

A "Happy Summer Party" in Manhattan sponsored by New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for supportive groups happens today!  Special guest speaker is N.Y.S. Lieutenant Governor Kathleen C. "Kathy" Hochul.  Surprise guest Corey Kilgannon of The New York Times ("NYX") is the author of "Character Study: Willson Henderson" about the exciting life and Gay activism of the SVA's founder published in the NYX!  The S.V.A. is represented by legendary Stonewall veterans Ramon Bellido, Leigh McManus and Brooke Lynn.  The event is held at the Hudson Terrace on the West Side of Manhattan from 6 to 8 p.m.







Sunday, July 8 -- HOLLYWOOD, OPENLY-GAY, LEGENDARY ACTOR TAB HUNTER DIES at 87

Tab Hunter was a Hollywood pop idol of the 1950s and 1960s, a movie screen heartthrob who attracted both females and males and who secretly lived the life of a Gay man.  Known for his corn-fed handsome appearance, wavy blond hair, piercing blue eyes and toothy grin, plus his golden tan California surfer looks, Tab was born in Manhattan, New York City on July 11, 1931.  He had the same entertainment agent as another famous, down-low, Gay Hollywood star Rock Hudson.  Among Tab's famous Hollywood boyfriends was actor Anthony "Psycho" Perkins and figure skater Robbie Robertson!  In 2005, after decades of true Gay rumors, Tab Hunter publicly came-out in his best-selling autobiography "Tab Hunter: The Making of a Movie Star"!  A decade later, based on his book, in 2015, an acclaimed and revealing documentary "Tab Hunter Confidential" was released about Tab's movie career and Gay life in Hollywood.  Tab died in a Santa Barbara, California hospital from an unexpected cause, a traveling blood clot.  Tab is survived by his longtime and likewise handsome Gay spouse of four decades, Allan Glaser.  R.I.P. - Tab!
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Hollywood Movie Star and Gay Icon Tab Hunter of "Damn Yankees" Dies at 87:
Variety.com/2018/film/news/Tab-Hunter-dies-Damn-Yankees-star-Gay-icon-1202868343

Movie "Tab & Tony" about Gay love affair of Tab Hunter and Tony Perkins is planned:
www.Queerty.com/Secret-love-affair-Tab-Hunter-Anthony-Perkins-getting-Hollywood-treatment






Wednesday, July 4th -- AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE HOLIDAY (1776 to 2018)









Tuesday, July 3, 2018 -- "GAY INDEPENDENCE DAY"

"Gay Independence Day", the unique term coined by SVA's unique founder and wordsmith Willson Henderson 49 years ago, signifies the last day of the 5-night Stonewall Rebellion for G.L.B.T. rights on July 3, 1969.  There were two nights of no uprisng due to rain.  Ironically, "Gay Independence Day" appropriately fell on the eve of the anniversary of American Independence Day!  Whereas the start of the G.L.B.T. Rebellion on Friday night, June 27th is the most important date in Gay history, therefore, the second most significant should be, but is vastly unknown in the Gay community, the end of the Stonewall Uprising on the evening of the 3rd of July in 1969!  Happy "Gay Independence Day"!    
www.STONEWALLvets.org/Stonewall_Era_Club_People_Rebellion.htm
 






Saturday, June 30th, 2018 -- "NATIONAL STONEWALL REBELLION VETERANS' ASSOCIATION's 49th ANNUAL CONFERENCE & STONEWALL VETERANS REUNION and TESTIMONIALS"

S.V.A. Monthly Meeting June 2018


The National STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association ("S.V.A.") gayly presents its annual S.V.A. conference and Stonewall veterans reunion plus "Stonewall" testimonials on 'the last Saturday in June'!  To us, this is the most significant Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ("G.L.B.T.") Pride event!  The Keynote Speaker is U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Jane Maloney.  A New York State 'Proclamation' from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is presented to the S.V.A. by a high-ranking, openly-Gay gubernatorial director.  The Governor will be out of the state for an event with his wonderful wife and three lovely daughters.  This unique S.V.A. conference is the exciting tribute to the legendary 'veterans' of the Stonewall Club, the NYC police raids there from 1966 to 1969 and the Stonewall Rebellion in late June and early July of 1969.  Eyewitness accounts are related from many actual Stonewall veterans about their lives during the Stonewall Era, the STONEWALL Club itself and their Stonewall Uprising experiences!  Confirmed Stonewall vets include:  Willson L. Henderson ("The Boy From NYC" {song}), Nance Lomax (from Philadelphia), Bert Coffman (from the East Side), Patti Stone (from Florida), Leigh McManus (from Long Island), Joan 'Joni' Sobel (from the Upper West Side), Jeremiah Newton (from the East Village), Rusty Rose (from Suffolk County, LI), Tony Viera (from The Bronx), Keith Lonesome (from Brooklyn), Davey Leong (from the Upper East Side), and Brooke Lynn (from, you guessed it, Staten Island)!  Invocation is delivered by the Rev. Mark E. Erson, pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church on gayly famous Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, NY.  Special feature (only at the S.V.A.):  Musically-great original "Songs of The Stonewall Club Jukebox" from 1966 to 1969, including Supremes, Seasons, Sinatra, Streisand, Stones, Shangri-Las, Stevie, Shirley, Sly, and Spiral Starecase -- and that's just the S's -- are played throughout the program!  On display: 1969 "Stonewall Convertible".  This S.V.A. event is fittingly the official end to "Stonewall 49" plus the unofficial count-down to the incredible "STONEWALL 50"!  "The Happening" is, as always for the past three decades, at the Manhattan G.L.B.T. Center at 212 West 13 Street between Greenwich Avenue and Seventh Avenue in Greenwich Village, NYC.  The conference ignites @ 3:15 p.m. and wraps up at about 6 p.m. or so.  

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Media:  New York One News T.V. is covering the S.V.A. Conference, as they do every year since 1993.  NY-1 will provide a "Stonewall Rebellion 49th Anniversary with the S.V.A." segment on television including interviews with Stonewall veterans and attending public officials.  The segment will start with the evening's fresh 9 p.m. newscast and contiunue repeated through 12 noon on Sunday.  In addition to television, there are many print media reporters confirmed for the S.V.A. Conference.  They include the press from as far away as Staten Island to Sweden!

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Tell-It-Like-It-Is Dep't and Guarantee:  Duplicitous, rumor-mongering and stealing "Stonewall" creeps, who can give it but can't take it, and who you will not see at the "S.V.A. Conference" include:  "The Phat Man", Tush James, "The Shlub",
"Mrs. Humpty Dumpty", Brat Holeman, "The Glickster", Horey Johnsin, "The Pillsbury Dough Girl", or Andy Scum or anything else from the heterosexually-owned NYC Gayragpaper!  FYI, Gay 'dish' names are part of Gay history since the beginning of GLBT culture.  Happy GAY Pride!!

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For more S.V.A. history 411 as of and since 1969:
 www.StonewallVets.org/Stonewall_Era_Club_People_Rebellion.htm.






Sunday, June 24 -- NEW YORK CITY's 49th ANNUAL GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL and TRANSGENDER PRIDE MARCH & PARADE in MANHATTAN, NEW YORK

Great event is remarkably the New York City 49th Annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade -- 49 years of commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion!  This year's theme is "Defiantly Different"!  That was the un-announced Gay theme for 1969 at the uprising!  The Stonewallers were 'defiant' which was 'different'!  Confirmed Stonewall veterans parading include:  Gay icon Willson L. Henderson, 'Papa' Jean Devente, Bigga Berti Coffman, Miss Nance LomaxFlower Child Joan 'Joni' Sobel, Rockin' Rusty Rose  and Davey L. Leong!  This year's special S.V.A. parade guest is, once again, NYS Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling-Cohan.  Parade organizer Heritage of Pride's ("HOP") dedicated co-chairs are Maryanne Roberto Fine and David "Studs" Studinski.  The parade ignites on 'the last Sunday in June' always right on time @ high noon.  The line-up this year is bizarrely in Chelsea, Manhattan.  No organization has ever started a parade from Chelsea.  Sounds anti-climatic lining-up on the narrow, straight and mundane streets of West 16th, 17th and 18th at Seventh Avenue.  Look for the blue, classic 1969 "Stonewall Convertible"!  You can't miss it!

S.V.A. Note:  About ninety percent of the Stonewall veterans are individually 'gaycotting' this year's Gay Pride Parade as the HOP March Committee disrespectfully and thoughtlessly failed to make any arrangements or provide cars for them to ride in.  Thus, no accommodations for the alleged GLBT 'heroes'.  Only in the GLBT community is there disregard for its elders and, in  this case, creators.  Hopefully for "Stonewall 50", everyone at HOP (not just some) will realize that all of the Stonewall incidents in 1969 were enacted by real Gay people -- not the rented store and not computer-generated!  
  

Post-Event Updates:  The STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association was specially visited at the parade line-up by New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and First Lady Sandra Lee and their three daughters!  The Cuomo Family has been a supporter of the S.V.A. since the Summer of 1977!  As a matter of fact, the Governor held a mini-press conference with at least a dozen reporters right next to the eye-catching blue 1969 "Stonewall Convertible"!  Gov. Andrew caringly advised the S/W vets:  "You boys better not overheat the "Stonewall Car"!
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To view the best pictures of the NYC Gay Pride Parade, including the S.V.A., visit:
www.BusinessInsider.com/Pride-March-New-York-City-LGBT-photos-2018-6   








Friday, June 8 -- S.V.A. CORPORATE BUSINESS MEETING and STONEWALL SUPPER


The S.V.A. holds a special corporate meeting with a potential major corporate sponsor in Manhattan @ 4 p.m.  Representing the S.V.A. are Stonewall veterans Willson L. Henderson, Bert Coffman and Ramon Bellido plus the SVA's legal counsel Hally Weiner, general manager AnDre Christie and treasurer Mendy Seltza.  The historic non-profit organization cannot rely on the mostly greedy, rip-off, 'stealing Stonewall' politicians who use the willing G.L.B.T. community to promote themselves, grab that Gay money and keep their elected jobs!  Some of them like 'The Jerry Phat Man', 'Brat' Hoylman, 'The Con-troller Shlub', 'Horey' Johnson and 'Tush James' shamefully partake in the schmear campaign against the S.V.A.  Fortunately, those creeps and others are more than offset by the majority of respectful, genuine, honest and supportive public officials.  Today's Stonewall supper is at an S.V.A. fave Morandi's Restaurant in West Greenwich Village @ 5 p.m.  To quote WLH:  "Let them eat steak"!        







Wednesday, June 6, 2018 -- HALF-CENTURY REMEMBRANCE:  U.S. SENATOR ROBERT F. KENNEDY

The shocking assassination of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy occurred in the middle of the Stonewall Era!  RFK had just won the crucial Democratic nomination for president in California on June 5, 1968.  It was one of only two nights ever at The STONEWALL Club, out of bereavement and respect, that the jukebox was turned off!  The other similiarly tragic occasion was just two months earlier when Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4th.  Robert Kennedy was, ironically, the extremely popular U.S. senator in the state of The STONEWALL!  The day after being shot, he died on June 6th fifty years ago!   





Sunday, June 3, 2018 -- STONEWALL BIRTHDAY:  MICHAEL I. SWERDLOW of LI + FL







Sunday, May 27 -- STONEWALL VET BIRTHDAY:  JOAN C. "JONI" SOBEL of MANHATTAN







Saturday, May 26 -- SVA's PRE-G.L.B.T. PRIDE MONTH MEETING with GUEST SENATOR SAVINO

SVA Meeting May 2018



SVA's "Miss May" wonderful guest speaker is New York State Senator Dyane J. Savino, representing Staten Island and Southwest Brooklyn!  The SVA's pre-G.L.B.T. Pride Month meeting is dedicated to the three main topics of:  (1) "SVA's 49th Annual Conference & Stonewall Veterans Reunion and Testimonials" (June 30), (2) "N.Y.C. 49th Annual G.L.B.T. Pride March & Parade" (June 24) and (3) "Stonewall Veterans Sea Cruise" (August 5).  Get2gether is hosted by the SVA's defatiguable and innovative director Willson L. Henderson.  Input includes confirmed Stonewall vets for the parade, including the return of S/W vet Rusty Rose after twenty years, in the SVA's flotilla of convertibles, public official speakers for the SVA's conference and selling tickets for the sea cruise.  Bert Coffman updates on meetings held with public officials.  Planning for the S.V.A. conference focuses on logistics, arranging speakers and promotion.  Rogers Huntana informs about the special features such as film clips from the movie "STONEWALL!" for SVA's upcoming conference.  Joni C. Sobel summarizes S.V.A. meetings with public officials in the past month.  Michael Fesco describes details of the S.V.A. sea cruise.  It will uniquely feature DJ-played 1969 "Songs of The Stonewall Jukebox" from the original Stonewall Club!  Meeting starts @ 3:15 p.m.  Quality foods are provided.  For much more 411 on "Miss May" DJS:  Twitter.com/DianeSavino?lang=en.






Thursday, May 24 -- SPECIAL "STONEWALL STREETFAIR" SUPPER @ 5 p.m.







Thursday, May 24 -- STONEWALL VET BIRTHDAY:  MISS NANCE LOMAX of PHILADELPHIA







Monday, May 21 -- NYS ASSEMBLYWOMAN NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS RE-ELECTION EVENT in STATEN ISLAND, NY @ 6 p.m.







Sunday, May 20 -- CONGRESSWOMAN YVETTE CLARK'S RE-ELECTION RALLY in BROOKLYN, NY 

 U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Diane Clarke and her campaign staff hold a re-election rally in front of the Brooklyn Museum.  The honorable Congresswoman Yvette is a long-standing and active supporter of the S.V.A., as was her Jamaican-born mother former NYC councilwoman Una S.T. Clarke.  Congresswoman Clarke has served five years as the SVA's honorary female chairperson, succeeding congresswomen Bella Abzug, Geraldine Ferraro and Carolina Maloney.  Confirmed speakers are as follows:  U.S. Congressman Hakeem S. Jeffries, NYC Mayor W. Bill DeBlasio, NY State Senator Kevin Parker, NYS assemblymembers Latrice Walker, Walter T. Mosley, Rodneyse BichotteN. Nick Perry and Tremaine Wright, and NYC councilmembers Robert Cornegy, Laurie Cumbo, Brad Lander, Alieka Ampry-Samuel, and Mark Treyger.  Joining in are SVA's Brooklyn-born director Willson Henderson, Brooklyn resident Stonewall vets Bill Salzman, Brooke Lyn and Keith Lonesome, and the SVA's Jamaican-born manager AnDre Christie.  The grand Brooklyn Museum with its beautiful (and huge) plaza is on Eastern Parkway just off Flatbush Avenue.  Event happens @ 2 p.m.  For more YDC info, visit:  www.VoteYvette.com







Tuesday, May 1, 2018 -- S.V.A. OFFICIALS MEET with LGBT CENTER HEADS at NYC GAY CENTER

This diplomatic pow-wow is to reasonably discuss a few misunderstandings and issues and iron out any differences between the non-profit STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association ("S.V.A.") and the for-profit Manhattan LGBT Center ("Gay Center").  Representing the S.V.A. is Willson Henderson, Bert Coffman and Ramon Bellido.  Acting for the Gay Center is Jeffrey H. Klein and Brian A. Daniel.  The SVA's position is that because of its unique importance of, among many other factors, its historical significance of "Stonewall" everything and keeping the "Stonewall torch" burning for nearly a half-century, that it should not have to pay the Gay Center for its annual conference room or pay rent for its monthly meetings.  Google Grants gave the Gay Center one million dollars for the "...Stonewall veterans, preserving their history and the Stonewall testimonials".  The S.V.A., which represents, promotes and protects the Stonewall veterans, received nada!  In its thirty-five year history, the NYC Gay Center has never done anything for the Stonewall veterans -- not even one of the paid staffers speaking at the SVA's annual conference -- held at the Gay Center -- nor an ad on SVA's website or a cost-free note of thanks.  Though the S.V.A. urged elsewhere, venue is at the LGBT Center.  The pow-wow is for one hour @ 4:45 p.m.   







Saturday, April 28 -- PRIDE DEMOCRATS MEETING with SPECIAL GUESTS: STONEWALL REBELLION VETERANS' ASSOCIATION

PRIDE (solid capital letters) is an acronym for Pride Rainbow Independent Democrats Etc.  In a super special tribute to "Stonewall 49 GLBT Pride Month" in 33 days, PRIDE Democrats of New York City is honoring who should be the real honorees also at other GLBT Groups... the veterans of the 1969 Stonewall police raids and rebellion via the one and only nenowned organization representing the heroes:  STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association.  Chairing the monthly meeting is PRIDE president Steven L. Gradman.  The meeting is at the Manhattan G.L.B.T. Community Centre at 212 West 13th Street off Seventh Avenue.  Commencement is @ 5 p.m.  Visit:  www.PRIDEDemocrats.org.








Saturday, April 28 -- STONEWALL VETERANS' ASSOCIATION's MONTHLY MEETING


The regular monthly meetings of the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association ("S.V.A.") are on 'the last Saturday of the month' -- reflecting the historic last Saturday in June of 1969.  This meeting's main agenda (chronologically) is as follows:  1) planning for the "N.Y.C. 49th Annual Gay Pride Parade" (June 24); 2) the annual "S.V.A. Conference & Stonewall Veterans Reunion" (June 30); and 3) the summertime "Stonewall Vets Sea Cruise" (August 5)!  Several young students have been confirmed to attend and have the opportunity to interview veterans of the Stonewall police raids and uprising.  Bert Coffman o[pdates the significant communications with public officials.  Michael Fesco discusses the "S.V.A. Sea Cruise" and planning decisions.  A surprise, elected NYC public official is the guest speaker, who wants to personally witness and report on the shenanigans at the GLBT Center vis-a-vis the alleged 'heroes'.  The shindig is hosted by the SVA's vibrant director Willson Henderson with assist from several Stonewall veterans and others such as S.V.A. manager AnDre Christie.  For more 411, call Miss Brooke Lynn at (212) 627-1969.  Meeting times are from 3:15 to 5 p.m. (EDT).  The monthly meeting is scheduled at the Manhattan GLBT Center -- not because of their greedy charging room rental for the legendary Stonewall veterans to meet there or for their total lack of support of the S.V.A. but because it is centrally located for the members of our group in all 5 boroughs plus NJ, CT and LI!  Where does G.O.A.L. Meet?  Not there!  For more 411 on the S.V.A. meeting venue, view:  www.GayCenter.org.






Monday, April 23 -- BROADWAY CARES/EFA PRESENTS ITS YEARLY "EASTER BONNET COMPETITION"

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS ("BC/EFA") hosts its 23rd annual "Easter Bonnet Competition" among the casts of Broadway, off-Broadway and national touring company shows.  The event is a fund-raising showtime for BC/EFA.  Executive director is Tom A. Viola.  This year's exciting, as always, extravaganza is held at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway and West 45th Street in Midtown Manhattan @ 4:30 p.m.  For more 411 on BC/EFA and the event, view:  www.BroadwayCares.org.






Tuesday, April 17 -- FORMER FIRST LADY BARBARA BUSH DIES at 92





"Monday, Monday", April 16 -- S.V.A. MEETING with N.Y.C. MANHATTAN COUNCILMAN KEITH POWERS in MANHATTAN @ 4 p.m.







Monday, April 9 -- STONEWALL V.A. SUPPER and MANHATTAN COMMUNITY BOARD #2 STREETFAIR HEARING

The STONEWALL Veterans' Association events committee has a "Stonewall Vets Supper" at the White Oak Tavern on Waverly Place at Greene Street in the East Village @ 6 p.m.  The dinner precedes the Manhattan Community Bored #2 ("CB-2") annual "NYC Streetfair Hearing" @ 7:30 p.m. around-the-corner at the Silver Building at 32 Washington Square East at N.Y.U.  The out-of-control (no regulation) CB-2's activities committee, now ludicrously called 'quality of life' committee (what a misnomer) is known verbally and in writing for years as being slanderous, libelous, defamatory and outright liars!  Lettuce ssee what happens this year.  Attending both events are Stonewall vets Willson Henderson, Bert Coffman, Leigh McManus, Ramon Bellido and Joany Sobel.  In addition, the SVA's general manager, with a roomy BMW sedan, AnDre Christie participates.  For more 411 on the S.V.A. history with the clearly corrupt Manhattan CB-2, view:  www.StonewallVets.org/StonewallStreetfair.com






Wednesday, April 4, 2018 -- 50th TRAGIC ANNIVERSARY of DEATH of DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.






Saturday, March 31 -- STONEWALL REBELLION VETERANS' ASSOCIATION's MONTHLY MEETING at the MANHATTAN G.L.B.T. CENTER



This beginning of Spring meeting of the S.V.A. ushers in the GLBT historic and the Gay Pride season -- thanks to members of the legendary STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association ("S.V.A.") and some others!  Main topics include, but are not limited to:  (1) the astronomically obscene one million dollars ("a little too much, too late") that Google Grants golden-arched and silver-spooned to the Manhattan LGBT Center for the sole purpose of "stonewall, Stonewall, STONEWALL" -- the people not the club; (2) the classic and famous blue 1969 "Stonewall Convertible" is loved to be seen by most everyone but they do nada toward any of the expenses; and (3) the significant "SVA's 49th Annual Conference & Stonewall Veterans Reunion and Testimonials" (June 30)!  The entire first "Stonewall" (1996) full-length movie was made for that Goo-goo to G-Center $1,000,000 amount!  The 'Stonewall' consultant on that entertaining GLBT film was the SVA's founder Willson L. Henderson.  Speaking of WLH, he will be conducting the meeting as always with interesting facts and entertaining flair!  Bert Coffman provides all of the New York City public official updates.  Ramon Bellido presents summaries on all correspondence from public officials.  Patti Stone reunites with many of her Stonewall vets after a decade as she is up from Florida with her wife and 90-year-old mother for the Easter weekend with family events.  Joany 'JC' Sobel (via NYC Accessoride), capsulates unsuccessful efforts (met by stonewalling, arrogance and falsities) trying to arrange a meeting between the S.V.A. and Manhattan GLBT Center. "It's like a nightmare", said JC.  Jitterz Greenfield heads up the financial discussions on S.V.A. fund-raising. particularly. in anticipation of "Stonewall 49" in June!  Student guests are junior high school girls with their teacher and some parents from New Jersey competing in a national history contest with their exhibit and topic: "Civil Rights: Stonewall Rebellion".  The students will be interviewing Stonewall vets.  Four elementary school students are also confirmed by their school.  Michael Fesco fishes for input for the SVA's summertime sea cruise.  Attendees are greeted by the SVA's general manager AnDre Christie.  Pow-wow lights up @ 3:15 p.m.  Visit S.V.A. at group meetings:  www.GayCenter.org.






Monday, March 26 -- SUPREME SUPERSTAR and STONEWALL JUKEBOX SONGSTRESS BIRTHDAY:  DIANA ROSS




   

Friday, March 24 -- SVA'S WILLSON HENDERSON I/V'd in the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS



A few reporters from the New York Daily News ("NYDN") lively, daily report page "Confidential!" interviewed a few Stonewall veterans regarding the current and suddenly dishy Democartic Primary contest for the next governor of New York State.  The controversy involves one of the top two gubernatorial candidates publicly insulting the historic NYC and activist GLBT group the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association("SVA") and all the while using the ripping-off of Gay history promoting the place that the Stonewall vets made famous without inviting the S.V.A.  That is an ignorant way to start a campaign, particulaly in the Stonewall veterans' town, our community and on our street at the place that we made symbolic!  The S.V.A. has received phone calls and emails by the dozen, even from C.N. supporters, who agreed that the mindless gesture was ignorant!  The article by popular reporter Brian Niemietz hits all the reality buttons.  The story is on the popular feature page entitled "Confidential"!  SVA's politically savvy director analyzes and states that Cynthia Nixon isn't truly running for governor, it is a "dress rehearsal" for NYC mayor in three years!  Guess what?  Three days later (of course, having read the Daily News story), C.N. incredibly declared in a press conference:  "Listen, I'm running for Mayor...."  Oooopz!  Willson was right!  Excuse our editor coloring in the first "l" in the word "Stonewail" to make it "Stonewall"  He understandably thought it was a typo!  To clearly read the "Veteran in a Stonewail vs. Cynthia Nixon" article, see:
 www.NYDailyNews.com/Confidential/Stonewall-Rebellion-Activists-calls-Cynthia-Nixon-Rip-off-Publicity-Seeker







Sunday, March 11 -- CONGRESSWOMAN CAROLINA MALONEY 'S ANNUAL ST. PAT'S BREAKFAST BASH

Congresswoman Carolyn "Carolina" Maloney hosts her annual St. Patrick's breakfast!  In addition to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and NYC Councilman Keith Powers, among other electeds, also scheduled to speak is SVA's director Willson Henderson.  He is accompanied by his longtime partner AnDre Christie.  The event is again held at the atmospheric Sojourn Irish Restaurant at the corner of Second Avenue and East 79th Street in Manhattan from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.   
    






Tuesday, March 6 -- STONEWALL JUKEBOX SINGER BIRTHDAY:  SUPREME MARY WILSON






Saturday, March 3 -- STONEWALL VET BERT-DAY:  BERT COFFMAN, V.P. of S.V.A., in MANHATTAN, NY





Thursday, March 1, 2018 -- S.V.A. MEETING with NEW YORK STATE SENATOR JEFFREY D. KLEIN from THE BRONX @ 3 p.m.






Tuesday, February 27 -- S.V.A. MEETING with NYC COUNCILMAN JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS

New York City Councilman Jumaane D. Williams ("JDW"), from Brooklyn, holds his first private meeting with the STONEWALL Veterans' Association.  The S.V.A. has supported JDW, with an impressive housing issues and tenants rights background, since he announced for and won Council in 2009.  In 2017, Jumaane was elected to a third term.  Representing the S.V.A. is Willson Henderson, Bert Coffman and Ramon Bellido plus Steven Gradman from PRIDE Democrats and AnDre Christie, the SVA's general manager.  Jumaane has announced his campaign for New York State Lieutenant Governor in 2018.  The late lunch/early supper meeting is at Le Pain Quotidien Restaurant in TriBeCa in Manhattan, N.Y. @ 4 p.m.





Saturday, February 24 -- SVA's MONTHLY MEETING at NEW YORK CITY GLBT CENTRE @ 3:15 p.m.





Monday, February 19 -- PRESIDENTS' DAY HOLIDAY -and- BIRTHDAY CHEER to SVA's HONORARY CHAIRPERSON: CONGRESSWOMAN CAROLINA MALONEY





Wednesday, February 14 -- HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY -and- HAPPY BIRTHDAY FORMER NYC MAYOR and LONGTIME S.V.A. SUPPORTER MICHAEL BLOOMBERG





Saturday, February 10 -- STONEWALL VETERAN BETTYE BRISTOL's BIRTHDAY in OHIO





Sunday, February 5 -- SVA's FACEBOOK ADMINISTRATOR SANJAY PETERS's BIRTHDAY ALL-AROUND -the-WORLD





Saturday, February 4 -- N.Y.C. COUNCILMEMBER ALICKA AMPRY-SAMUEL'S  INAUGURATION

This New York City councilmatic event is the official inauguration of new Councilmember Alicka Ampry-Samuel for District 41.  She worked for longtime S.V.A. supporter NYS Assemblywoman Latrice T. Walker, who worked for even longer S.V.A. supporter Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, who is the daughter of longest supporter in this chain former Councilwoman Una S.T. Clarke!  In addition to all of the aforementioned, confirmed-to-attend public officials are as follows:  U.S. Congressman Hakeem S. Jeffries, NYS Senator Kevin Parker, NYS Assemblymember Walter Mosley, NYC Councilmembers Ritchie Torres, Helen Rosenthal, Jumaane Williams, Laurie Cumbo, Mark Treyger, Adrienne Adams, Chaim Deutsch and Dyana Ayala.  Justices of the New York Supreme Court participating are Shawndya L. Simpson, Evelyn J. LaPorte and Lisa S. Ottley (a former S.V.A. conference keynote speaker) plus many NYC civil court judges!  Representing the S.V.A. is the frequently-seen trio:  Willson L. Henderson, S.V.A. Director, Ramon F. Bellido, S.V.A. Board of Directors, and AnDre M. Christie, S.V.A. General Manager.  Happening is at the impressive God's Battalion of Prayer Church at 661 Linden Boulevard near Schenectedy Avenue at East 46 Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York @ 3 p.m.  






Friday, February 2, 2008 -- FAREWELL to the LAST of the GREAT TEMPTATIONS:  DENNIS EDWARDS, JR.

Motown Records legend Dennis Edwards, Jr. was originally with the Motown group The Contours ("Do U Love Me").  In 1968, after main lead singer David Ruffin left The Temptations to launch his solo career with Motown, the company's president Berry Gordy, Jr. wisely chose Dennis Edwards to replace him.  Dennis's voice was soulful, gospel and gritty yet with great pop appeal.  Big hit songs of Dennis leading The Temptations at The STONEWALL Club and virtually every other jukebox and radio station in the world include:  "Cloud Nine" (#1) and "I'm Gonna Make U Love Me" (with Diana Ross & The Supremes) (#1) in 1968; and "Runaway Child, Running Wild" (#1 R&B), "I'll Try Something New" (also with Diana Ross & The Supremes) and "I Can't Get Next To You" (#1) in 1969.  Dennis was outstanding with The Temptations in the two, very popular, hour-long television specials, "Takin' Care of Business" (TCB) and "Get It Together on Broadway" (GIT), with Diana Ross & The Supremes!  In the 1970s, Dennis led The Temptations with more big hits like "Psychedellic Shack", "Ball Of Confusion", "Superstar", "Standing At The Top" (with Rick James) and the inimitable "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"!  On his own, Dennis had a #1 R&B song "Don't Look Any Further".  Mr. Edwards was inducted with The Temptations into the prestigeous Rock & Roll Hall-of-Fame in 1989.  Though born in Alabama, raised in Detroit, Michigan, and living in Missouri, Mr. Edwards sadly died in a Chicago, Illinois hospital at the just-turning age of 75!






Sunday, January 28 -- N.Y.C. COUNCILWOMAN HELEN A. ROSENTHAL'S RE-INAUGURATION

Confirmed 'fellow' NYC Councilmembers attending include:  Mark E. Levine, Carlina Rivera, Ben J. Kallos, Diana Ayala, Keith D. Powers -- plus longtime former Councilwoman Ronnie Eldridge -- all from Manhattan; Chaim M. DeutschLaurie Cumbo and Kalman Yeger from Brooklyn; and Vanessa Gibson, Andrew Cohen and Ritchie X. Torres from The Bronx.  The S.V.A. is represented by Stonewall veterans Willson Henderson,
Bert CoffmanJoany C. Sobel, Leigh McManus and Ramon Bellido in addition to the group's longtime legal counsel Hally M. Weiner.  The inaugural event happens in the new auditorium of Public School 191 at 300 West 61st Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan, N.Y. @ 3 p.m. 






Saturday, January 27 -- STONEWALL VETERANS' ASSOCIATION's FIRST MEETING of 2018



The National STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans' Association's kick-off meeting to the year of "STONEWALL 49" lights up at one hour earlier time @ 3:15 p.m.  Unique information is always discerned form Stonewall veterans describing facts about the Stonewall Era and their personal Stonewall stories. 
Meeting is comprehensively captained by SVA's director Willson L. Henderson.  Stonewall veteran committee reports from Bert Coffman, Joany C. Sobel and Ramon Bellido.  Public relationist Bruce A. Poli updates plans for the forthcoming "SVA's 49th Conference & Stonewall Reunion".  Mendi Seltza provides 411 on public official supporters of the S.V.A.  As ever, there are students attending to gather accurate 411 from actual Stonewall veterans about life at the original 1966 to 1969 Stonewall Dance Club & Bar.  Discussions and planning wrap up about 5 p.m. before the introduction of the surprise guest speaker "Miss January"!






January 27 -- INTERNATIONAL DAY of COMMEMORATION in MEMORY of ALL of the MILLIONS of VICTIMS of THE HOLOCAUST -- NEVER FORGET and NEVER AGAIN!!






Friday, January 19 -- STONEWALL ERA ACTRESS DOROTHY MALONE DIES in HOLLYWOOD @ 93






Wednesday, January 17 -- NATIONAL STONEWALL MEMORIAL PARK FORUM

The National Stonewall Memorial Park forum and updates is sponsored by the U.S. National Parks Service ("NPS").  Stonewall veterans confirmed to attend include the SVA's Willson Henderson, Bert Coffman, Marty Boyce, Ramon Bellido and Joany C. Sobel.  Most attendees no doubt would not have been alive in 1969 and have limited knowledge of anything "Stonewall".  NPS reps provide progress reports on the long Stonewall monument process.  S.V.A. 411 and meeting flyers distributed.  Venue is the New York City GLBT Community Center.  The happening starts @ 6:30 p.m.





Monday, January 8, 2018 -- SHIRLEY BASSEY, STONEWALL JUKEBOX SUPER SONGSTRESS, BIRTHDAY