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====Stonewall 35====
starring the
=====National=====
STONEWALL
Rebellion Veterans
Association
of the historic
1969 New York City Stonewall Rebellion
(Friday, June 27th -to- Thursday, July 3rd, 1969)

 New York City 
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender 
G.L.B.T. Pride Parade
 

=exact date of the historic 27th=
Sunday, June 27 
2004

The annual G.L.B.T. Pride Parade in NYC is always held on "The Last Sunday in June"!

 

   Full-page ad (reduced size shown) in the New York Blade News -- NYC's #1 Gay newspaper -- for the annual "S.V.A. 35th Annual Gay Pride Conference & Stonewall Veterans Reunion + Testimonials" and 411 on the S.V.A. in the annual New York City G.L.B.T. Pride Parade 

   

   
   

"Vehicle Parade Permit" for the historic, famous and fabulous 1969 convertible "Stonewall Car" via the parade organizers Heritage of Pride ("HOP") -- with our name spelt wrong (again) by them, as usual.  For Gay history and Gay pride and legally correct  reasons, it is "STONEWALL" not "Stonewall".  

*

   

Greetings, it's a "Parade" not a 'march' -- the Stonewall Vetz would know best!  

G.L.B.T. History:  Anyone who knew anything about modern Gay "heritage of pride" would know the big hit, now classic, single-release song from the big hit Oscar-winning 1968 movie "Funny Girl" and big Gay favorite of Gay icon Barbra Streisand!  Let the S.V.A. Gays give you the 411:  Barbra didn't sing "Don't Rain On My March"!  It's "Don't Rain On My Parade"!  And, a year later, in 1969 was Babs' other "parade" single hit song from her next hit movie "Hello, Dolly!".  It definitely was not "Before The March Passes By".  It's "Before The Parade Passes By"!  And to flashback to another Gay iconic enterainer -- Judy Garland -- her memorable hit movie and hit song was "Easter Parade", not the 'Easter March'!  Yes, the G.L.B.T. community definitely was, and hopefully is, more guided by Judy and Barbra than the parade organizers Heritage of Pride ("HOP").  Well, "Hello, HOP-py".  It's a parade!  Ask a fifth grader!  Just one look and you know it's a p-a-r-a-d-e!  Everybody, come and enjoy the P-A-R-A-D-E!
See the S.V.A. in many more New York City G.L.B.T. parades at:  https://www.StonewallVets.org/photoalbum.htm 

   

 

  New York City Mayor and S.V.A. Honorary Member Michael R. Boomberg  
with the SVA's Founder and Director and Parade Leader Willson Henderson
[Digital Photography by Hal M. Weiner, NPPA]

 
_____________________________________________________________

 

New York City ("NYC") Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg ("MRB") follows in the longtime tradition of NYC Mayor Ed Koch in the late 1970s and the entire 1980s and then Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the 1990s in being the semi-regular guest of the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association ("S.V.A.") in leading the annual New York City Gay Pride Parade in Manhattan.  Interestingly, Mayor Michael -- at Mayor Rudy's urging -- first marched with the S.V.A. in historic 2001 when he was mayoral candidate Bloomberg.  That spectacular event virtually introduced MRB to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender ("G.L.B.T.") community and hundreds of thousands more at large as parade spectators.  S.V.A. Director Willson L. Henderson ("WLH") is always extra accommodating of the SVA's special guests.  They are always guaranteed real heritage, original pride, enthusiastic applause, great publicity and fun, fun, fun besides marching with actual legends of the G.L.B.T. community!  Congresswoman Carolyn J. Maloney was also with the S.V.A. in the NYC Gay Pride Parade.  Coincidentally, one of her Upper East Side constituents is... Mayor Michael! 

   

 

 



Countess China and Baron Baron
[Photo by Poet Minor]

Stonewall veteran China Fucito (left) and S.V.A. Assistant Office Manager Baron Morris, Jr. (right) are shown with the S.V.A. on lower Fifth Avenue in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York.  Along with their friend Willson Henderson and the Indian chief Dave West plus the 1969 "Stonewall Car", the quintet was shown on ABC-TV news on both their evening and night editions as well as on other local television stations.

 

 

The New York Times:  Stonewall Copz, Stonewall Vetz, Stonewall Car

"The Two Sides of Stonewall Raise Glasses on Common Ground" by the NYX's Marcas Baram.

The New York Times ("NYX") started the story with a lively quote from the SVA's founder Willson L. Henderson.  They also interviewed one of the old Sixth Precinct's Stonewall police officer Frank J. Toscano.  At the site of the interviews, the S.V.A. obliged the appropriate request of the NYX in having the famous blue 1969 convertible "Stonewall Car" on display.  The NYX reported:  "Mr. Henderson, his shock of unruly blond hair set off by a bright turquoise shirt, pulled up to Arturo's Restaurant on East Houston Street in a car that also played a prominent role at the Stonewall Rebellion.  A 1969 sky-blue convertible, that many call "The Stonewall Car", was parked outside the club on Christopher Street when the conflict erupted and has since become an icon."   It was a real crowd pleaser for all of the retired New York City Police Department cops.  One elderly Stonewall cop cleverly observed and audibly declared:  "Everyone looks different except the blue convertible -- it looks the same"!

 

 

S.V.A leads the New York G=L=B=T Pride Parade 
[Photo by Steven L. Gradman]

The STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association ("S.V.A.") contingency in the "New York City 35th Annual Gay Pride Parade" is fronted by S.V.A. Public Relationist Dave "Hurricane" West, shown above as the beefy warrior Indian Chief.  The chief is flanked on the left by Baron P. Morris, the SVA's assistant office manager and of the IQKNY from Far Rockaway, Queens, NYC and on the right by Robert Frankel of PRIDE Democrats of NYC from Brooklyn, NYC.  Behind the boys is the unmistakable 1969 "Stonewall Car" on their tails.  You can even see Cristina Hayworth standing up in the grand vehicle!

 

 

"The Spirit of Stonewall" is sincerely shared by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg
[Photo by Robert Anderson]

 

 

New York City Newsday:  Gay Pride Parade and Politics on Display

 New York City Newsday captures 1st prize photo of the NYC Mayor with some of the  STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans 
Association's members including Cristina Santiago Hayworth, SVA's Ambassadress to Puerto Rico and Latin America, 
(center) and Robert 'Bert' Coffman (seated), SVA's First Vice-President, and the famous blue 1969 "Stonewall Car"!  

"Gay March in The City:  Poltics, Pride Mix"

"Gays March in the City:  Politics, Pride Mix" by Nia-Malika Henderson

P.S.  The Two Hendersons:  The SVA's founder and director Willson Lee Henderson is not related to this Newsday story staff writer Nia-Malika "Henderson"!  Although, like a thousand others, Miss Henderson was handed the lavender S.V.A. "Stonewall Sunday" flyer listing the S.V.A. officials namely Willson L. Henderson, obviously, Henderson the writer did not spot this coincidence.  She did not mention the NYC public figure Willson Henderson nor the parade leaders, members of the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association, who are the reason for the "pride", in her Gay Pride article!  
    

 

 

S.V.A. 2nd Veep Big Berti Coffman gives a Hearty Wave to the Happy Spectators
[Photo by Avery St. George]

Clearly pictured are Ray-Jay McCaffrey (with white cap and shades) carefully driving, Bert Coffman (waving from the near rear seat) proudly waving and Dianne Yodice (far back seat with black tank-top) smartly posing in the fabulous blue "Stonewall Convertible" (as one of the small local newspapers inadvertently dubbed it) riding down Fifth Avenue.  With yellow blonde hair and colorful back to the camera is 'China' Fucito.  Not so clearly pictured but seen is King Storme DeLarverie (in rainbow helmet and purple t-shirt), at the moment, appropriately riding shotgun!

 

 

New York Post:  A Gay Day for All!

 

"Gay Parade Shows that We're Everywhere" by the New York Post's Stefan Friedman.
The NYP shows the SVA's Countess China Fucito in vivid, living color in their big photo.
The writer failed to mention fact that Mayor Bloomberg was the special guest of the S.V.A.



 

Pre-Stonewall Yesteryear when Manhattan was run by American Indians
[Photo by Jeremiah Newton]

Chief Dave West (clearly shown above) leads the S.V.A. contingency in the Gay Pride Parade down Fifth Avenue.  Dave's attention-grabbing attire consists of two pieces; one is his ornate and colorful head covering.  The 1969 "Stonewall Car" is shown making a pit-stop!

 

 

Mayor Michael up-close and personal with Stonewall Vetz and the "Stonewall Car"
[Digital Photography by Hal M. Weiner, NPPA]

Pictured in New York City are (l-2-r):  New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg ("MRB"), S.V.A. Director Willson L. Henderson, S.V.A. Assistant Manager Baron P. Morris, Jr., a mayoral security man (back appropriately turned to the camera) and, in the distance, S.V.A. Indian Chief Dave 'Hurricane'  West.  To the left (mostly blocked) is S.V.A. Executive Committee member Bill Salzman, a Stonewall veteran and the Founding Principal of the Harvey Milk Gay High School in Manhattan, NYC.  Pointedly introduced by Willson... Bill and Mayor MRB briefly, yet interestingly, discussed the NYC school system, a top priority of the Mayor.  The special policeman in the special black shirt (with his hand up to his face) apologetically approached SVA's ambassador Stormé DeLarverie and others in the S.V.A. to explain that his being in the Mayor's security detail keeps him from being in pictures.  The rainbow Gay Pride flag, designed by a Stonewall veteran, Gilbert "Rainbow" Baker (not shown, riding in another S.V.A. convertible), looks like it is being held by SVA's Willson.  In fact, it belongs to Mayor Michael!

 

 

New York Daily News:  Vamps & Vows -- and Dave West!

Strongly, colorfully and proudly pictured above (left photo) is Indian Chief "Hurricane" Dave West, out-front leading the STONEWALL Veterans' Association parade contingency.  Behind Dave is the legendary crowd pleaser, the big and blue and beautiful 1969 "Stonewall Car".  To the left is the SVA's Bill Salzman.  
Note:  The creative and dancing revellers in the entertaining top photo are channeling "Cabaret" starring Liza Minnelli -- daughter of the iconic Judy Garland!
 

"Gay Marriage Movement mixes with Glam, Glitz" by the N.Y. Daily News' Lisa Colangelo
Correction:  Mayor Michael Bloomberg marched with the STONEWALL Veterans' Association!

STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association officials were in all of the major newspapers this year!!!!  Certainly one of the best examples is the 'in living color' close-up photo of Dave West in the Gay Indian Chief "Hurricane Dave" as shown above in the New York Daily News.  Serving as the perfect backdrop for Chief Hurricane Dave is the rightly visible metallic blue "Stonewall Car".  Some of his headress feathers match the car color.  To the left in the photo is the conspicuous visible Bill Salzman, the charter principal of the Harvey Milk Gay High School.  When the popular newspaper's sub-heading mentions the parade had "glitz", they're referring to the very designing SVA-er Dave West!  
   
 

 

"The Stonewall People" in front of The Stonewall Club 
Note:  The above Stonewallers are the original basis for The Village People
[Photo by AnDre Christie]

Original Stonewall veterans pictured 35 years later in front of The STONEWALL Club are (l-2-r):  Tanned Indian Chief Hurricane Dave West, rainbow Military Man Storme DeLarverie, wind-blown blond Willson Henderson, tough-lookin' Eddie Baca and sun-glassed Meredith Nelson!  They are also many more S.V.A. members not shown.

 

 

New York Blade News:  Million-(plus) Person Gay Parade!

Gay Headline:  "Million-Plus Person (Gay) March" by the New York Blade's Cyd Zeigler
Article mentions president of S.V.A. Willson Henderson about the motorcycles as the escorts
of the parade and Minister Hal Weiner and the "Stonewall prayer" he performed with S/W Vetz!

 

Mayor Michael makes a Funny for Stonewall Willson Henderson
[Photo by Eddie L. Baca]

Proudly pictured right on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan are New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association President Willson Henderson plus S.V.A. Assistant Office Manager Baron Morris, Jr.  They all had been together recently for the Mayor's Annual G.L.B.T. Pride celebration party at Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, NYC.

 

 

Historic Car, Historic People, Historic Scene
[Photo by Avery St. George]

For many reasons, to many people, this classic car scene looks somewhat reminiscent to a famous American historic scene in the early 1960s.  Adding to the mystique is that in this photo with the "1969 Stonewall Car" sign blocking the well-known Cadillac grille, the car in this pic looks like a Lincoln!  Walking on the left is Jack Rojas carrying the clever "Stone Age to Stonewall" sign.  In the deep purple shirt and serious black hat is second-career ace photographer Hal "Hally" Weiner.  The SVA's Puerta Ricana Ambassadress Cristina Santiago Hayworth (up from Puerta Rica) is standing center in the grand "Stonewall Car".  Oh, look, you can also see Princess Dianne Yodice (wearing Christian Dior sunglasses).  Ray-Jay McCaffrey is driving wearing Hollywood shades.  In the rear seat you can't miss bigga Berti Coffman.  Ridin' shotgun (for the moment, as he walked the entire route) is S.V.A. Ambassador Storme DeLarverie.  You can recognize his trademark rainbow military helmet.  Walking directly behind the car on the left is Eddie Baca (wearing a light lavender shirt).  SVA-er Bill Salzman (waving) is on the right.  The car has a dramatic look in this photo that none of us ever saw before -- even with as long and as well as we know the many looks of this famous vehicle.  Again, in this photo, because the classic Cadillac grille is covered, the convertible ironically resembles an equally grand and  large, early 1960s Kennedy-ish Lincoln-Continental.

 

 

"After the Gay Pride Parade passes by"
[Photo by AnDre M. Christie]

Pictured in Greenwich Village, NYC with pride and fun are (l-2-r):  Eddie Baca, openly-Gay candidate for the N.Y.S. Assembly and supporter of the S.V.A.; Willson Henderson, S.V.A. President and organizer of the S.V.A. Gay Pride Parade contingency; and Bill Salzman, S.V.A. Executive Committee and high school principal, in front of the white picket fenced Hudson Corner Cafe restaurant on Hudson Street, where the S.V.A. holds its annual post-parade "Stonewall Duncheon".  Xxtra special thanks for a lot, especially the happy person and smiling face to AnDre Christie (off camera) -- too shy for a pic this year!

   

 

Princess Dianne in the anchored "Stonewall Car" in front of Hudson Corner after the Parade
[Photo by Vinny Stanzione of Bensonhurst]

S.V.A. Secretary and the youngest Stonewall veteran Dianne Yodice (a.k.a. the girl from Benson Avenue in Brooklyn) is shown prettily behind the big wheel of the flashy convertible.... but 'dat I-talian goil frem Bruck-a-lin ain't goin' nowheres'!  Fahgedaboutit!  Only the S.V.A. President Willson Henderson, Treasurer Ray McCaffrey and Assistant AnDre Christie have a set of the three "S/W-Car" keys!  Brooklynese description of the above photo:  Hey, look, if 'dat Diannne (with 3 'n's) goil from Brook-line tinks she'sa gonna driva dat bigga caar, she can... fahgeddaboudit'!  Besides, goils ain't allowed to drive da big, bad, blue 'vert!"

 

   

Continuing Good News Notice

 This informative and exciting "S/W-35" Stonewall Parade file is
still under development many years later with additions of pix
and text (titles, captions, narratives) still in store.  Stop back!

2004 Assistant to the S.V.A. Director:  AnDre M. Christie


Any information or images extracted from this file must credit: 

STONEWALL Veterans' Association
70-A Greenwich Avenue, Suite 120
Manhattan, New York, NY  10011

Phone:  (212) 627-1969
Email:  SVA@StonewallVets.org
Fax:  (718) 294-1969

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

   


     


For "Stonewall 35" in June 2004, the S.V.A. hires its first General Manager good-lookin' AnDre Christie



Obviously, Mayor Michael and SVA's AnDre hit it off perfectly
[Photo by Office of the Mayor of the City of New York]







Here are the NYC's Mayor Michael and the SVA's Manager AnDre four years later

AnDre Christie with Mayor MRB 
2008

Happy Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the SVA's handsome general manager AnDre Christie
[Photograph courtesy of the Office of the City of New York
and generously financed personally by MRB]







AnDre Christie Mayor MRBloomberg 2009


5 Years Later:  NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg with SVA's General Manager AnDre Christie at Gracie Mansion

*
For more 411 on the SVA's founder and director Willson L. Henderson 
and photographs of him and other Stonewall vets and public officials, visit:
https://www.StonewallVets.org/WillsonHenderson.htm

*
For more NYC Gay parade photos and 411 on SVA's general manager,
AnDre Christie plus more pix of S/W vetz and the 1969 "S/W Car", visit:
https://www.StonewallVets.org/AnDreChristie.htm

*

and letters from and pix of popular NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, see:
https://www.StonewallVets.org/MichaelBloomberg.htm




   



Fastforward several years............ 2020

a
www.StonewallVets.org/upcomingevents.htm
Flyer design by Leticia Remauro of The Von Publicity Agency in Staten Island, NYC
www.TheVonAgency.com





 


11th July
2021
52nd Anniversary of the S.R.V.A.!

*

=====2021:  52nd Anniversary of the G.L.B.T. Stonewall Rebellion=====
[Friday night, June 27 ~through~ Thursday evening, July 3, 1969, Manhattan, New York City]

    

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