Friday, June 26, 2009
AN UNKNOWN SOLDIER
This is the only surviving NYPD mugshot* of the original Stonewall protesters arrested on the first night of the riots, June 28, 1969. Forty years ago this week.
At the moment, he is unknown.
He is one of the fathers of the gay rights movement.
Look at this face and tell me about bravery and fortitude. He has just been arrested and he gives the camera a look of gentle defiance.
I am very touched by this face and what the man behind it launched for all the rest of us.
*The Mug Shot shown here is the only one survinging from the riots in the public record. This comes about because, in the years following Stonewall, many people were able to have friends in the police department remove their records, or "lose" portions in order to protect their identity.
Labels: gay history, gay rights
