The events of this past week, as the news of Michael Jackson's death hit the airwaves was remarkably reminiscent of how I would imagine it was forty years ago, when news of the great Judy Garland's death was reported.
News of the great singer's sad demise from a drug overdose resulted in shock and sadness for hundreds of thousands of people across the country that summer night, not the least of whom were a group of marginalised patrons of one of New York City's Stonewall Inn. Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, on Christopher Street, the Stonewall in was an historic building, which was originally used as a stables in the mid-nineteenth century.
Three years prior to the now infamous riots, the New York State Liquor Authority passed an ordinance stating that gay and lesbian people could not be served alcohol, because "they were disorderly". The Mattachine Society, pioneers in the mobilisation of lesbian and gay rights efforts, staged a sit-in at a bar not far from the Stonewall, on April 21, 1966.
The following year, the Stonewall Inn, which had been vacant for some time, was opened and earned the distinction of being the largest gay establishment in the United States.
Rampant homophobia fuelled frequent raids by the police throughout the next couple years, but the owners and patrons persevered, until the community's grief over the death of Judy Garland, an icon among gay men -- particularly among female impersonators -- coincided with another of the police department's unjust raids.
The result was a series of spontaneous and unfortunately very violent demonstrations against the police, as patrons fought back in the wee-hours of June 28, 1969, following the raid on the Stonewall. The event is now documented as the first instance in American history, when lesbian and gay people fought-back against government-sponsored persecution.
Tensions between New York City police and gay residents of Greenwich Village erupted into more protests the next evening, and again several nights later. Within weeks, Village residents quickly organised into activist groups to concentrate efforts on establishing places for gays and lesbians to gather without fear of being arrested or beaten by the police. For those who recall the events personally, it is often regarded as the defining moment in the LGBT Rights Movement.
Within six months, two gay activist organisations existed in New York (the Mattachine Society, and the Gay Liberation Front), concentrating on confrontational tactics, and three newspapers were established to promote rights for gays and lesbians.
By June 28, 1970, on the first anniversary of the riots, the first Gay Pride Marches occurred in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco. The following year, they were joined by Chicago and Atlanta.
(Pictured left, speaking at an interfaith Communion Service during 2004 Gay Pride Atlanta)
Today the Stonewall Inn, registered as an historic place in the United States National Register of Historic Places, for its significance in lesbian and gay rights history, still operates as a lesbian and gay nightclub.
I couldn't help but recall the kind of persecution that the forerunners of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender movement courageously battled in those earlier times, as we saw so much of this week interrupted by spurious and hateful attacks, and mean-spirited, baseless attempts to discredit me by some of the Fundie McNuggets® on Facebook and Twitter.
Of course, like those who constantly attempt to post libellous and unfounded rumours about me on various websites, these individuals continue to be thwarted, because my work as a monk, an activist, a Catholic clergyperson, an author, lecturer, anthropologist and as a leading entrepreneur, are all well documented.
So instead these individuals rely on insinuation about my 26-year battle with AIDS -- a disease with which I was infected after being brutally beaten and raped on May 10, 1983, by four illegal immigrants from Haiti, in Hollywood, Florida. Once again, the detractors could easily check the police records to verify this attack, but that would not serve their agenda or smear campaign.
One woman, after being put in her place and blocked from further fundamentalist and homophobic diatribes on my other blog, went further this week, once again insinuating that I was involved in a business scam with a closeted pair of lovers, posing as "father and son", who were arrested on multiple charges of fraud and illegal business practices. Again, this was patently false, and when challenged to back up her claims, she conveniently went silent.
We're a long way from winning the battle against closed-minded, bible-thumping morons in this country, and against religious fundamentalists the world over.
But at least on this weekend, LGBT people have an opportunity to mindfully thank those who made it possible for this kind of discussion to occur, without police reprisal. Through on-going non-violent protest, education and refusal to accept anything less than the same basic human rights as those with heterosexual orientation, we will make progress.
The Fundie McNuggets® are increasingly becoming a laughing stock. People are starting to see through their claims, their smear campaigns and even their illicit attempts to hurt my business. While they rant and rave, and tout their lotions, potions, pills and long distance plans, my group continues to grow at a rate 3-5 times the average for small business entrepreneurs.
While they were attacking me, I launched the People's Financial Network -- the first inclusive and affirming financial services network in the United States, founded on dharma principles, and dedicated to helping folks get out of debt in 12-48 months.
While they were making insinuations about my past, my Pre-Paid Legal Services business doubled in size, and we pre-launched a lead generation system that will put 10,000 double opt-in leads into serious entrepreneur's hands (for less than $10!)
While they were posting websites, calling the grassroots intentional spiritual community that I lead, and the religious order of which I am a part a "cult", we fed more than 250 people on the streets, and helped prevent one woman from becoming homeless.
All in all, I'd say that is too shabby for an openly-gay Buddhist monk and retired Eastern Catholic bishop, whose past included a brief stint in adult films, ownership of three seven-figure income earning salons and spas, and international recognition as one of the most successful architects of online marketing systems in the past ten years.
Guess the Fundie McNuggets® are right about one thing... I am Focused And Grateful... or as they put it a "F.A.G." and f*cking proud of it.
Live with Passion -
dharmacharya gurudas sunyatananda, o.c.
(dr. f. gianmichael salvato, o.c., m.sc.)
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