Gay in its most far-reaching sense does not mean homosexual but sexually, intellectually and emotionally free.
Allan Young , 1972
The Lambda is the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet and in its lower case form is the Greek letter L.
The early members of Gay Liberation chose the Lambda as our symbol.
L for Liberation.
In ‘More Man Than You’ll Ever Be’ Joseph P. Goodwin writes:
The lowercase Greek letter lambda carries several meanings. First of all, it represents scales, and thus balance. The Greeks considered balance to be the constant adjustment necessary to keep opposing forces from overcoming each other. The hook at the bottom of the right leg of the lambda represents the action required to reach and maintain a balance. To the Spartans, the lambda meant unity. They felt that society should never infringe on anyone’s individuality and freedom. The Romans adopted the letter to represent “the light of knowledge shed into the darkness of ignorance.”
Finally, in physics the symbol designates and energy change. Thus the lambda, with all its meanings, is an especially apt symbol for the gay liberation movement, which energetically seeks a balance in society and which strives through enlightenment to secure equal rights for homosexual people.
This is the birth of Gay Liberation as described by Allan Young in the 1972, Out of the Closets: Voices of Gay Liberation:
“The birthday of Gay Liberation is June 1969, when gay people fought back against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn. The Police invaded the bar, forcing people onto the street. But instead of running away, the gay people, led by transvestites locked the police inside the bar, set the place afire, and then threw coins and bottles when the police worked their way out. Participants in the incident along with others in the community got together to plan an ongoing political group for gay people. They chose the name, Gay Liberation Front.”
The Gay Liberation Front is based on the idea of liberating the human spirit and the human mind from all forms of racial and sexual oppression.
Gay in its most far-reaching sense, does not mean homosexual but sexually, intellectually and emotionally free.This includes a vision of equality as a basis for sexual relationships regardless of gender.
From the Gay Liberation Front: Manifesto:
“We do not intend to ask for anything. We intend to stand firm and assert our basic rights. If this involves violence, it will not be we who initiate this, but those who attempt to stand in our way to freedom.”
I used to say it like this: “We don’t want your tolerance. We just want you out of our way.”
Rob Goldstein 2016-2018
Such eloquent passages, Rob — and brought together brilliantly with your own words.
I hope the visit is filled with fun, renewal, and happiness. (And maybe missing journals too. Fingers crossed.) Hugs on the wing!
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Hi Teagan, I just sent you an email, it was emotional to see Scott on so many different levels; We both retained the passion for justice that inspired so many LGBTQ people to fight back in 1969.
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The whole article plus comments makes for gorgeously nostalgic reading.
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We need more of this spirit today. Now Americans are in a new battle for democracy and social justice, this time the enemy is a foreign tyrant who has infiltrated our government and media and poisoned us with lies.
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A grand article Robert, and I’ve still got that Vinyl LP of Sly And The Family Stone, wow, is it nearly 50 years !!
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Thank you, ivor20.
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Reblogged this on Survivors Blog Here and commented:
Timely post from Robert, thanks for sharing. M
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Thanks!
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Our first Sydney Mardi Gras was in 1969 accompanied by police violence etc
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Mine was accompanied by an aluminum wig with metal butteries attached to it by flexible wires…:)
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you don’t have a pix do you?
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Of me wearing a lambda?
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Mine was accompanied by an aluminum wig with metal butteries attached to it by flexible wires…:) – of this ha
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Don’t have one with the wig but I do have a photo taken of me the year of Stonewall.
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can we see ?
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OK…
This one was taken when I was 20 or 21…probably 20. I have an old Polaroid and I think it was taken when I was 15 1/2…I just have to clean it a bit—it’s very damaged.
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I like it, thank you 1969 I was 15
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that makes me 1/2 year older than you.
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OK I thought we were about the same age, hi brother
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Hola, mi amigo!
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Yes, I knew some of our 69ers, aren’t too many alive anymore they were about 10 -15 years or more older than us when the first Mardi Gras happened – 1969. I was living way up North in the bush at the time completely unaware of the Gay commune in the next town, everyone was underground because it was illegal to be a ‘practising homosexual” Which has always been a joke in our community since all the boys say they are quite the expert thank you very much.
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LOL!I remember the phrase practicing homosexual. The implication was that the practicing homosexual was shameless whereas the ones that lived in frustrated shame were at least working toward the self destruction that the rest of the community expected from deviants.
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yes – exactly
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/dream9/24466259200/in/photostream/ I like this
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Excellent!! Love the history of this symbol ….
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I wore one through most of my 20’s. Thanks for the re-blog!
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You’re very welcome. So did I. I wish I’d kept it. Going shopping for one soon.
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Reblogged this on Survivors Blog Here and commented:
Stand
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