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  "Stonewall 25"
  Sunday the 26th of June 1994
  
STONEWALL
=====Rebellion=====
Veterans
Association
of the
1969 Stonewall Uprising
*
~~~~~25th Anniversary Stonewall Rebellion Reunion~~~~~
  
Stonewall Veterans after Stage Appearance at Central Park Gay Pride Rally

Stonewall Veterans after Stage Appearance at Central Park Gay Pride Rally
[Photo by Leigh McManus of the S.V.A.]

STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association ("S.V.A.") members -- a diverse sampling -- after the most significant, post-Stonewall and unique reunion in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ("G.L.B.T.") history, proudly pictured in the celebrity and press area backstage in Central Park, New York City above are (l-2-r):  Queen Allyson Ann Allante, S.V.A. Spokesperson (in from Lido Beach, Long Island via her bright red Cadillac Allante sportscar; Jeremiah Jay Newton, S.V.A. Vice-President (up from Alphabet City in Manhattan, NY - - he lives on Avenue 'C'); Sylvia Rae Rivera, S.V.A. Secretary (in from her recent, temporary home with Gay activist Randy Wicker in New Jersey); Cristina Hayworth, S.V.A. Ambassadress (up from Puerta Rica); Yvonne Ritter, RN, S.V.A. Executive Committee (up from the East Village); Ivana Valentin, S.V.A. Executive Committee (up from the Lower East Side via subway); Danny Garvin, pending S.V.A. member (depending on results of drinking-while-thinking); Ramon F. Bellido (down from Spanish Harlem via MTA bus); Terri Van Dyke, S.V.A. Treasurer (down from Lexington Heights, Manhattan via gypsy cab); Rolando Morales-Torres, SVA-25 Committee (in from Brooklyn, NY, via Puerto Rico); Joani 'J.C.' Sobel (down from the Upper West Side), Antonio 'Tony' Viera (down from The Bronx), Bill Saltzman (in from Williamsburg, Brooklyn), and many other veterans of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion not shown in this press photo above.  The media -- newspapers, television, radio, magazines and newsletters -- all had a huge Gay bonanza with this tremendous one-of-a-kind and, for most, once-in-a-lifetime event especially in the G.L.B.T. community!  Except for the SVA's annual conference and reunion, there has never been such a get-together in the G.L.B.T. community of the Stonewall veterans since the Stonewall Rebellion in late June and early July of 1969!  Clearly, there will never again be this great a reunion of Stonewall veterans!


Legendary ~original~ STONEWALL Bar & Dance Club patrons and other participants of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion -- since named by founder Willson L. Henderson and now known as the "Stonewall Veterans" -- stood up to the New York City Police Department ("NYCPD"), the First Division Detectives ("FDD") and the Tactical Patrol Force ("TPF") in late June and early July of 1969 for five evenings and nights and, ultimately, won an everlasting physical, emotional, psychological, legal and spiritual victory!  The interested and active "veterans" became members of the National STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association ("S.V.A.").  

On the SVA's landmark 25th Anniversary in 1994 of the now worldwide historic uprising, which should have demonstrated a real "heritage of pride", the S.V.A. had to almost physically fight the "Stonewall 25 International Committee" -- comprised of many wannabe, corporate, self-serving, egotistical, non-representative, rude G.L.B.T. characters and creeps whose disrespect, greed and financial mismanagement ruined and bankrupted that dishonorable and disrespectful organization.  The Stonewall veterans, of course, do not agree on everything -- who does -- however, one of the unanimous opinions is that:  The "S/W-25 Committee" was the worst group of assembled GLBT-ers that any of us ever experienced or saw anywhere (to date).  Guess what?  Despite their despicable discrimination -- the opposite of the spirit of "Stonewall" -- exclusionary tactics, ignoring and various viciousness, the S.V.A. won again!
 
"Stonewall 25 International, Inc." did all their meetings, planning, promoting, scheduling and screaming, arguing, spliting hairs, excluding the  alleged 'heroes' of the community, without ever inviting or consulting the people who this event was initially intended to commemorate and honor:  the Veterans of the Stonewall Rebellion!  The "S/W-25" ad-hoc committee's mostly arrogant, pompous members -- who acted like they created the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ("G.L.B.T.") community -- negotiated with New York City officials and other government  representatives and endless others without ever inviting anyone from the S.V.A.  Besides mindlessly and rudely ignoring the S.V.A. -- an act which was a literal "international heritage of shame" -- the "S/W-25" Committee ludicrously also left out the landmark STONEWALL Club from their spineless game plan.  Why?  Because they were told that they couldn't.  They even eliminated the regular and traditional New York City Gay Pride Parade route -- Fifth Avenue.  Why?  Because they were told that they couldn't.  And, they didn't know that they needed the S.V.A.?  Thus, the "S/W-25" committee committed a shameful "sell-out" of the real G.L.B.T. communities.  Most everyone sadly realized this and at too late a date.  The favorite word of the "S/W-25" Committee was "no"!  It was "no" to this and "no" to that and, most shamefully, "no" to the Stonewall veterans!  What?!  Nonetheless, several true G.L.B.T. organizations and individuals with the real Stonewall spirit and guts such as ACT-UP, the Imperial QUEENS & Kings of Greater New York, the Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA), the G.L.B.T. Political Coalition, the Stonewall Car Club, the PRIDE Democrats of New York City, the Zappalorti Society, the Stonewall Republicans, et al. and, of course, the S.V.A. said:  "Yes, we can!"  Yes, we can start the march on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village where it all began!  Yes, we can march up Fifth Avenue!  Yes, we will lead into Central Park -- and, yes, we will have a huge, staged rally!  And, yes, we will be democratic, inclusive, considerate, diverse and friendly to ALL!  

The Stonewall 25 Committee had a seemingly unlimited budget with endless sponsorships, contributions, donations pouring in from all over the world plus their own endless fund-raisers and money-gathering campaigns.  Money was rampant -- for them!  Yet, they never gave the STONEWALL Veterans' Association one dollar for any of the SVA's purposes, educational programs or S/W-25 activities or even to arrange for and accommodate any Stonewall vets from out-of-state travel, visitor housing and attending the "STONEWALL 25" commemoration.  Not even to have the most famous G.L.B.T. community car garage bill paid for one month ($369) or for the festivities to have the vehicle "detailed" ($169) -- or to fill up its gas tank ($19.69).  But the "International S/W-25" clan saved their biggest and rudest insult for the actual event day....

The Stonewall 25 Committee psychotically and shamefully excluded the  STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association ("S.V.A.")  representing the Stonewall veterans, as one of the original "100" speakers, organizations, acts, groups, individuals, singers, dancers, comedians, comediennes, poets, proselitizers, self-promoters, etc., etc., etc. as part of the Stonewall Celebration Rally on The Great Lawn in Central Park.  Yeah, like we were going to tolerate that.  "Knock!  Knock!"  "Who's there?"  S-T-O-N-E...  Stone Who?   S-T-O-N-E-W-A-L-L!  Guess who ultimately won?  Common sense and common decency:  You don't "stonewall" the "Stonewallers"!  

We did our 'reaching out', too!  Most S.V.A. members coordinated writing and/or calling all the Stonewall Veterans ("S/W-Vetz") that we knew in about two dozen different states!  For those S/W-Vetz who were totally missing on the scene or not in touch lately or in years but where the S.V.A. had some 411, we searched for and usually located the SVA-ers.  In many instances, it was like a detective game.  We had Stonewall veterans come to New York City -- and in many cases made housing arrangements with other Stonewallers -- from all over the United States!  Meanwhile, the S/W-25 Committee obviously was not concerned about contacting any Stonewall veterans aka the alleged G.L.B.T. heroes -- nor was the selfish committee interested in arranging for any S/W Vetz coming to New York City much less having any S/W-Vetz speak on stage at the huge event.  The rally was a tribute to what WE did!  The S/W-25 Committee shamefully did not donate one dollar to the S.V.A. in any of our efforts or programs.  Yet, without the S.V.A., they would not have had any actual veterans of the historic 1969 Stonewall Rebellion.  In reality, there would not be any celebration!  The S.V.A. can never reiterate enough how absolutely disingenuous, obnoxious and rude the behavior was by the International S/W-25 Committee, which included several in-kind, hate-filled, clanish members of Heritage of Pride aka H.O.P.

The newly-empowered STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association ("S.V.A.") collaborated on the alternative "Spirit of Stonewall March".  The main organizers did not want the 'alternative march' to have the real "Stonewall" authenticity.  For that, you had to have the Stonewall Veterans!  The alternative march got a majority of the S/W Vetz -- and the now famous blue 1969 convertible!  As a matter of fact, it was proudly decided by the inclusive 'alternate march' organizers that the S.V.A. rightfully lead that march.  Among many well-known Gay leaders over the decades were Harry Hay, John Burnside, Jim Kepner, Jack Nichols and David Thorstad marching in the "Spirit of Stonewall March".  In fact, the march was led by the S.V.A. with the Stonewall Rebellion-impounded blue 1969 classic convertible a.k.a. the "Stonewall Car".  In a reversal in direction for this special occasion, the march went up(not down) Fifth Avenue -- as it used to be the route through 1979.  FYI, Gay Mayor Ed Koch enabled our S.V.A. demand that the parade go down the Fifth!  Meanwhile, fastforwading fifteen years, the "Spirit of Stonewall March" amassed over 15,000 participants, according to the minimizing NYCPD reports, and more than twenty times that amount in cheering, colorfully-dressed, rainbow flag-waving spectators!  The only public officials who joined us in the historic "Spirit of Stonewall March" were U.S. Congressman Jerrold L. Nadler, Gay N.Y.C. Judge and NYS Attorney General candidate Karen S. Burstein and openly-Gay N.Y.C. Councilman Thomas K. "Duanda" Duane.  What a glorious day!  And ours for the Stonewall veterans all started where it all began in front of The STONEWALL Club on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village!
 
At the Gay Pride "Stonewall 25" Rally, many SVA-ers confronted some of the "Big Wigs" (literally) and demanded that the Stonewall veterans be presented on stage or... there would be a real "riot", not the hyperbolic 'riot' to which they wrongly and constantly refer.  Most realized the obvious gross mistake, outrageous exclusion and extreme rudeness.  The S.V.A., alas, was introduced on stage!  However, instead of being introduced promptly, first the Stonewall veterans had to wait over an hour for a few dozen mostly boring speakers and second-rate "acts".  Once the veterans of the Stonewall Rebellion were 'fi-nal-ly' brought on stage, it was with minimal introduction:  "Here are the Stonewall survivors"!  "Survivors"?  Survivors of what?  We didn't 'survive'; we created!  It was like the S/W veterans were being dismissed as the haphazard survivors of some sunken ship.  So, we incredibly had to introduce our own S.V.A. STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association organization!  We broadsided the huge stage to tremendous and thunderous applause and ovations!!

 
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The Stonewall Veterans On-Stage for "S/W-25"

Incredible Backstage View of some Stonewall Veterans at "SW-25"
[Photo by Rockwell Kevin O'Neill]

Incredibly pictured standing in front of a crowd of over one million people above (left-2-right) is firstly "The Stonewall Queen" Allyson Ann Allante (grandly statured in a muave sequinced gown, five-inch gold glitter high heels and long blonde hair), the second is Rolando Torres-Ortiz (in tight white tee-shirt and tight blue jeans, well-built Puerto Rican originally from The Bronx and now up from Florida), the third person is S.V.A. Treasurer Terri Van Dyke (wearing yellow pants and carrying his ever-present huge shoulder bag), transgender S.V.A. Secretary and nurse Yvonne Ritter (with red hair up) is fourth, Danny Garvin (wearing inappropriate and tacky shorts unfit for this mementous occasion) is fifth, Christian Holland the "Stonewall Dutch Boy" (in traditional Hollandaise garb) is sixth, John ("JOB") O'Brien (wearing dark blue shirt and slacks, in from way-out Los Angeles) is seventh....  Also on stage but not shown in this photo are (alphabetically):  Molly Bennett Aitken (down from Massachusetts), Ramon Bellido (down from Spanish Harlem); Bert 'Berti' Coffman (up from the Prince Hotel in Gramercy Park), Storme DeLarverie (up from the Hotel Chelsea in Chelsea), Kelly Dunkle (former owner of Kelly's Lesbian Bar in Manhattan), R. Wayne Herndon (in from Los Angeles, California via PanAm Airlines), Carl J. Keller, Jr. (down from Connecticut in his Volvo), Leigh P. McManus (in from Huntington, Long Island via the LIRR), Jeremiah Jay Newton (up from Avenue "C" in the East Village on a city bus), Electra O'Mara (down from Washington Heights), John Paul Ranieri (in from Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Sylvia Rae Rivera (flew in on her broom fueled by alcohol), Jack Rojas (carrying his trusty Gay Rights sign), Rusty B. Rose (in via the LIRR from Amityville, Long Island), Bill M. Saltzman (up from Williamsburg, Brooklyn), Joani 'J.C.' Sobel (down from the Upper West Side), Richard Strahan (in from the South Shore, New Jersey), Mary S. Twist (ferrying over from Staten Island), Ivana Valentin (up via subway from the Lower East Side), Antonio C. 'Tony' Viera (down via gypsy cab from The West Bronx), Dave F. West (up from The Carlton residence in Midtown East), and Mark A. Zatlow (in from Los Angeles, California).

The very well-organized STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association ("S.V.A."), which had just led the "Spirit of Stonewall March" with the iconic blue 1969 classic convertible "Stonewall Car" up from Greenwich Village, and, now, finally, after waiting over an hour, broadsided the very high and very wide stage.  Only one-third of the S/W-Vetz on stage are shown in this incredible photo.  The approximate one million (1,000,000)-plus attendees from all over the world responded with a great, sound-breaking, five-minute chant of:  "Thank you... Thank you... Thank you... Thank you... Thank you..."!  Every Stonewall Veteran -- except one -- was overcome with emotion, lightly crying with pride or just having a few tears of joy or sadness stream from their eyes.  Queen Allyson Ann, the President of the Imperial QUEENS of Greater New York and the S.V.A. elected Spokesperson, was not having her professionally-done make-up ruined.  Anxious to begin her planned speech, Allyson finally said to the huge millionish crowd (a la Barbra Streisand and invoking a Brooklyn accent):  "Alright already... enough already.  Oy!  Thank you!  Already enough, thanks!  We thank you, too -- for being here!  Enough now!  Wow!  Enough already!  Thanks!"  What's a queen supposed to do already?  Convincing one million people to "Stop!" is not easy.  "Thank you.  We love you, too!"  However, the enthusiastic crowd continued their chant:  "Thank you...  Thank you...  Thank you...  Thank you...  Thank you.... Thank you!"
  
Highlights of the entire Stonewall 25 event, including the S.V.A. segment is/was available on the video, "The Future is Ours" -- a queerly inane title for the hugest to date Gay event in world history.  Celebrities included openly-Gay actor/entertainer Harvey Fierstein who stated that none of us would be here today on this stage if not for the Stonewall Veterans.  For your info, Harvey is a longtime supporter of the S.V.A.  And, another Gay favorite, Liza Minnelli, who reminded everyone that "It is the 25th anniversary of Stonewall.... and it is also the 25th Anniversary of Mama" -- referring to, of course, her mother and the legendary Gay icon Judy Garland, whose funeral was the first day of the rebellion that night Friday, June 27th.  Coincidence?  No!  Let's toast to "St. Judy"!


Two 1994 Gay Pride Marches mentioned in 2009 Gay Pride 411 Potluck Stew


NewYork.TimeOut.com/articles/Gay/40-Things-You-Dont-Know-About-Gay-Pride

Like with most everything written about Gay anything, no credit is given to the people who actually create something.  In this case, it was mainly two activist groups -- the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association and ACT-UP -- that made two Gay Pride marches possible.  It was also historic in all ways!!  It has never happened before nor since the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in 1994.  The summary list of "Gay Pride" in New York City fails to mention that the "Stonewall 25" Gay Pride March was led by the true blue 1969 convertible "Stonewall Car".  It was the only vehicle in the entire march!  Among the many inaccuracies, besides the oversights, in the Time-Out magazine Gay Pride items, the 25th anniversary of Stonewall was in no way produced by HOP ("Heritage of Pride")!  Moreover, virtually every Stonewall veteran participating in the "Spirit of Stonewall March" was through the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association and literally every Stonewall vet on stage was arranged via the S.V.A.!


*

=New York City * "STONEWALL-52!" * Gay Pride 2021 * Event=
  
   The National STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association ("S.V.A."), home to the authentic Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ("G.L.B.T.") heroes, hosts the "SVA's 52nd Annual Conference & Stonewall Veterans Reunion + Eyewitness Testimonials" in New York City at a historic Manhattan venue:  St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at 81 Christopher Street off Seventh Avenue South near Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, N.Y.  Ironically, the foundation for the Church was laid 200 years ago in 1821!  The Church is just one block down from the National Stonewall Monument Park.  The S.V.A. happening is hosted by the SVA's founder Willson L. Henderson.  Event invocation is delivered by the talented, accommodating and openly-Gay Church Pastor Mark Eliot Erson.  

The significant happening is confirmed for Saturday, the 26th of June in 2021 (always the last Saturday in June) from 3:15 p.m. to about 6:15 p.m.  June 26th in 1969 was the eve of the first night of the Stonewall Rebellion on Friday, June 27th.  This remarkable -- and uniquely authentic -- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ("G.L.B.T.") event features actual 'veterans' of the ~original~ STONEWALL Bar & Dance Club's numerous New York City Police Department ("NYCPD") raids and the historic 1969 Stonewall Rebellion, New York City public officials, G.L.B.T. organization heads and non-Gay community leaders.  Keynote speakers are two prominent New York public officials; one male, one female -- to be voted on by Stonewallers and announced at the SVA's May 2020 meeting!  In addition, there will be from one to three NYCPD long-retired officers who are 1969 "Stonewall Cops"!  Public officials pay their respects by attending, contributing and speaking!  

There is always a 'live' entertainment music segment, traditionally Stonewall Era singer, songwriter and guitarist Sandy Rapp!  Additionally, the significant and symbolic program opens and closes with original "Songs of The STONEWALL Club Jukebox" from 1966 to 1969  featuring the exciting songs of:  Diana Ross & The Supremes (Mary Wilson + Cindy Birdsong), Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Shirley Bassey, Frank Sinatra, Mary Weiss & The Shangri-Las, The Temptations, Barbra Streisand, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, Len 'Dovell' Barry, The Marvelettes, The Spiral Starecase, Dusty Springfield, (Mr.) Chris Montez, The Chiffons, The Beatles, Dionne Warwick, Jose Feliciano, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Cilla Black (she's white), Stevie Wonder, The Honey Cone, Mick Jagger & The Rolling Stones, Jackie de Shannon, Tom Jones, The Ronettes, Jr. Walker & The All Stars, and, of course, Miss Connie Francis ("Where The Boys Are"), and so many other great artists with wonderful songs!  On display outside the Church will be the famous blue 1969 classic convertible known as the "Stonewall Car".  The conference is produced by the S.V.A., directed by Willson L. Henderson and managed by AnDre M. Christie.  The illuminating event is often co-hosted by entertaining Transgender ("T/G") legends such as Queen Allyson Ann Allante and/or Miss Tyra A. Ross
(aka Dominique Jackson) and/or Lady Appolonia.  Quality foods and beverages are provided by local restaurants such as Eataly's RossoPomodoro Italian Restaurant and also Gristedes supermarket near Stonewall Triangle in the West Village!  With questions or suggestions and/or to RSVP, please telephone (212) 627-1969 at the S.V.A.


*

"STONEWALL-52" on Saturday, June 26th, 2021.....
is sponsored by the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association
igniting promptly at 3:15 p.m. and rollicking on to approximately 6:15 p.m.
at the divinely historic St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church located at
81 Christopher St. (off Seventh Av.) in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, NYC

For much more 411, visit the S.V.A. current and upcoming events webfile at:

https://www.StonewallVets.org/upcomingevents.htm

*

  5th October  
 2020 

Gay History Month

*

=====2020:  51st Anniversary of the GLBT Stonewall Rebellion=====
[Friday night, June 27 ~through~ Thursday evening, July 3, 1969, Manhattan, New York City]

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