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This week to celebrate the beginning of Pride Month, we’re focusing our newsletter on showcasing and celebrating different lesbian activists and powerhouses. Stormé DeLarverie is one such amazing woman.
Tall, handsome, charismatic, DeLarverie was a powerful butch lesbian and an even more powerful force to reckon with.
She was born in Louisiana in 1920 and had quite an eventful life. She first started out as a drag performer at the Jewel Box Revue, and at the time, was the only female performer. Not only that, but the Jewel Box Revue was the first integrated drag revenue in the United States.
But what DeLarverie was most known for was her part in the Stonewall Uprising. While it’s not confirmed, many people credit DeLarverie for throwing the first punch against police at Stonewall, which led to the famous Stonewall Rebellion that kicked off the gay rights movement.
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Though DeLarverie never sought official credit for the act, she later told friends that she threw the first punch, and other witnesses corroborated her story. However, since there were so many activists there, it’s somewhat debated who exactly took the first step. Either way, she was undoubtedly there that night, and her bravery was instrumental in the inception of the modern gay rights movement.
Interestingly, DeLarverie was opposed to calling Stonewall a riot. According to Blackpast, she called Stonewall “a rebellion, an uprising, a civil rights disobedience,” but not a riot.
For the rest of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond, DeLarverie acted as sort of a gay protector in New York. She was a bouncer and street patrol worker to keep the “baby girls” safe from aggressors and homophobic attacks. (I’m not crying, you’re crying). Not only did she selflessly protect gay women in the city, but she also worked this role until she was, wait for it, 85 years old. If that’s not badass, I don’t know what is.
As we make our way through to and from Pride Month, we’re delighted to celebrate the incredible life of Stormé DeLarverie. We are so thankful for her bravery and commitment to making the world a better place for lesbians, gay people, and queer people, and trans alike.
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