Sonia Jane Attkiss
STONEWALL Veterans' Association
Charter Stonewall Member of the S.V.A.
Original S.V.A. Secretary (1969 - 1979)
Williamson and Sonia Jane at The Stonewall
[Photography by a special Stonewall photographer]
Sonia Jane Attkiss and Williamson
pictured above at their home-away-from-home, The Stonewall Club, on New
Year's Eve, December 31, 1968. This is the only known existing photo taken inside The
Stonewall Inn. It is one of the few booths that were in the
club. The exact location inside the club was in the second
room -- the dance room -- against the right side wall of the club.
Don't
let the linen tablecloth give you the right impression. Only
thrice
a year on certain holidays, namely Thanksgiving, Christmas and New
Year's Eve, the Mafia-owned Stonewall Club "went all
out" and did "the
right family thing" with the tablecloths. Sonia and Williamson started the next new year together: 1969!
Sonia Jane and Williamson with "SW-Car" in Brooklyn (May 1974)
(Observe two big bumper guards and no spoke wheels!)
Location is in Borough Park on 55th Street near New Utrich Av.
(Guess whose car? Clue: NYS license plate... WLH-33!)
[Photo by Sonia's father Max-the-Plumber Attkiss]
*
Sonia Jane Attkiss was born on November 5th and raised in
Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York. Her ultra-liberal parents
Helen and Max Attkiss, had their house in a Orthodox Jewish
community with older son Robert and younger daughter Sonia. The
low-key Gay son moved to Gay-friendly Amsterdam soon after the
Stonewall Era. The Attkisses were always very understanding,
tolerant and supportive of Sonia's very
un-orthodox lifestyle. The lifestyle centered around Gay clubs!
It also spilled over back to the neighborhood. Many times
over the years, Sonia Jane brought home 'live' souveniers from the
Gay and "after-hour" clubs. These included several Puerto Rican
girls and a few Black dykes who were assumed as men by Sonia's parents
and most everyone else! One, named Troy, wore a man's
fashionable derby, used a gentleman's walking cane and had a
convincing painted mustache. All this was in the heart of an
Orthodox Jewish community in Borough Park.............
5 January
2012
==43rd Anniversary of the Gay Stonewall Rebellion==
[Friday night, June 27 ~through~ Thursday evening, July 3, 1969]
