Difference between revisions of "Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries"
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''This page focuses on the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a group of transvestite activists that was formed in October of 1970 by Sylvia Rivera, along with her friend Marsha P. Johnson.''<ref>Martin Duberman, ''Stonewall'' (New York: Plume Books, 1993), 251.</ref> | ''This page focuses on the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a group of transvestite activists that was formed in October of 1970 by Sylvia Rivera, along with her friend Marsha P. Johnson.''<ref>Martin Duberman, ''Stonewall'' (New York: Plume Books, 1993), 251.</ref> | ||
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| + | [[Image:STAR.jpg|thumb|center|635px|Members of STAR at the occupation of NYU's Weinstein Hall, September 24, 1970. Copyright Ellen Shumsky. Courtesy of the Photographer.]] | ||
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STAR became the first group in New York City to focus on the needs of street queens--young transvestites who hustled to make a living. The group planned to secure bail money and lawyers for imprisoned transvestites (an organized effort never panned out), to politicize the transsexual community, and to combat the discrimination they faced within the gay community.<ref>"Rapping With A Street Transvestite Revolutionary/ An Interview with Marcia Johnson," in ''Out of the Closets:Voices of Gay Liberation'', 20th Anniversary Edition, eds. Karla Jay and Allen Young (New York: New York University Press, 1992), 114-8; Bebe Scarpi, personal interview, March 5th, 2010.</ref> They made sure they were a visible presence at gay liberation actions so that the movement wouldn't ignore them or leave them behind. <ref>Scarpi, personal interview.</ref> | STAR became the first group in New York City to focus on the needs of street queens--young transvestites who hustled to make a living. The group planned to secure bail money and lawyers for imprisoned transvestites (an organized effort never panned out), to politicize the transsexual community, and to combat the discrimination they faced within the gay community.<ref>"Rapping With A Street Transvestite Revolutionary/ An Interview with Marcia Johnson," in ''Out of the Closets:Voices of Gay Liberation'', 20th Anniversary Edition, eds. Karla Jay and Allen Young (New York: New York University Press, 1992), 114-8; Bebe Scarpi, personal interview, March 5th, 2010.</ref> They made sure they were a visible presence at gay liberation actions so that the movement wouldn't ignore them or leave them behind. <ref>Scarpi, personal interview.</ref> | ||
| − | The group's greatest accomplishment was to secure a home for young street queens. Sylvia had worked the streets herself, so she knew first-hand the challenges these young people faced. She wanted to create a space where they could come for shelter, food, and support--and maybe even develop a foundation that would allow them to leave the streets for good.<ref>Martin Duberman, ''Stonewall'', 251.</ref> As she remembered: '''"We went out and made money off the streets to keep these kids off the streets. We already went through it. We wanted to protect them, to show them there was a better life."'''<ref>Sylvia Rivera, interview by Eric Marcus, ''Making Gay History'' (New York: Perennial, 2000), 151-2.</ref> Initially securing an abandoned trailer (which was later reclaimed by its owner with over a dozen queens still sleeping in the back), the group eventually found a home at 213 East Second Street.<ref>Duberman, ''Stonewall'', 251-2.</ref> | + | [[Image:Sylvia Rivera.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Sylvia Rivera takes part in a GLF protest against Bellevue Hospital. The hospital, which was controlled by NYU, "treated" a number of gay people. Photograph by Richard C. Wandel. Courtesy of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center National History Archive.]]The group's greatest accomplishment was to secure a home for young street queens. Sylvia had worked the streets herself, so she knew first-hand the challenges these young people faced. She wanted to create a space where they could come for shelter, food, and support--and maybe even develop a foundation that would allow them to leave the streets for good.<ref>Martin Duberman, ''Stonewall'', 251.</ref> As she remembered: '''"We went out and made money off the streets to keep these kids off the streets. We already went through it. We wanted to protect them, to show them there was a better life."'''<ref>Sylvia Rivera, interview by Eric Marcus, ''Making Gay History'' (New York: Perennial, 2000), 151-2.</ref> Initially securing an abandoned trailer (which was later reclaimed by its owner with over a dozen queens still sleeping in the back), the group eventually found a home at 213 East Second Street.<ref>Duberman, ''Stonewall'', 251-2.</ref> |
Although Sylvia, Marcia, and other STAR members like Bebe Scarpi had worked hard for groups like the [[Gay Activists Alliance]] and the [[Gay Liberation Front]], they found little support from the existing movement. GLFer Bob Kholer helped the group fix up the STAR House and GLF gave the group money for "beer and setups" at the first STAR dance, but on the whole, GLF and GAA failed to assist the group.<ref>Ibid., 252-3.</ref> When Sylvia asked GAA to loan the group its stereo equipment for the dance, the group declined, arguing that they were '''"'not in the rental business.'"'''<ref>Bell, ''Dancing the Gay Lib Blues'', 146.</ref> Even when STAR was at risk of losing its house, GAA refused to loan money to the group.<ref>Duberman, ''Stonewall'', 254.</ref> | Although Sylvia, Marcia, and other STAR members like Bebe Scarpi had worked hard for groups like the [[Gay Activists Alliance]] and the [[Gay Liberation Front]], they found little support from the existing movement. GLFer Bob Kholer helped the group fix up the STAR House and GLF gave the group money for "beer and setups" at the first STAR dance, but on the whole, GLF and GAA failed to assist the group.<ref>Ibid., 252-3.</ref> When Sylvia asked GAA to loan the group its stereo equipment for the dance, the group declined, arguing that they were '''"'not in the rental business.'"'''<ref>Bell, ''Dancing the Gay Lib Blues'', 146.</ref> Even when STAR was at risk of losing its house, GAA refused to loan money to the group.<ref>Duberman, ''Stonewall'', 254.</ref> | ||
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'''GLFer Perry Brass remembers that the tensions between "the STAR girls" and GLF: | '''GLFer Perry Brass remembers that the tensions between "the STAR girls" and GLF: | ||
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STAR folded relatively quickly, in large part due to lack of funds. The issues that the group addressed remain prevalent today--a fact highlighted by Sylvia's decision to revive STAR in 2001 after the murder of a transgender sex worker.<ref>She changed the name to the Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries Liz Highleyman, "Sylvia Rivera: A Woman Before Her Time," in ''Smash the Church, Smash the State'', ed. Tommi Avicolli Mecca (San Francisco: City Lights Books, 2009), 174.</ref> Although almost all of the original members of STAR have since passed, a number of activists and organizations continue their work to care for queer homeless youth--and to push for full equality for all transgender people. | STAR folded relatively quickly, in large part due to lack of funds. The issues that the group addressed remain prevalent today--a fact highlighted by Sylvia's decision to revive STAR in 2001 after the murder of a transgender sex worker.<ref>She changed the name to the Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries Liz Highleyman, "Sylvia Rivera: A Woman Before Her Time," in ''Smash the Church, Smash the State'', ed. Tommi Avicolli Mecca (San Francisco: City Lights Books, 2009), 174.</ref> Although almost all of the original members of STAR have since passed, a number of activists and organizations continue their work to care for queer homeless youth--and to push for full equality for all transgender people. | ||
Revision as of 11:48, 27 March 2010
This page focuses on the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a group of transvestite activists that was formed in October of 1970 by Sylvia Rivera, along with her friend Marsha P. Johnson.[1]
The Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries emerged out of anger over the police response to a sit-in at New York University's Weinstein Hall.* Gay Liberationists had abandoned the action after the University sent in the Tactical Police Force--a move that infuriated the founders of STAR. In their first leaflet, they chided gay activists: "All we fought for at Weinstein Hall was lost when we left upon the request of the pigs. ... You people run if you want to, but we're tired of running. We intend to fight for our rights until we get them." [2]
STAR became the first group in New York City to focus on the needs of street queens--young transvestites who hustled to make a living. The group planned to secure bail money and lawyers for imprisoned transvestites (an organized effort never panned out), to politicize the transsexual community, and to combat the discrimination they faced within the gay community.[3] They made sure they were a visible presence at gay liberation actions so that the movement wouldn't ignore them or leave them behind. [4]
The group's greatest accomplishment was to secure a home for young street queens. Sylvia had worked the streets herself, so she knew first-hand the challenges these young people faced. She wanted to create a space where they could come for shelter, food, and support--and maybe even develop a foundation that would allow them to leave the streets for good.[5] As she remembered: "We went out and made money off the streets to keep these kids off the streets. We already went through it. We wanted to protect them, to show them there was a better life."[6] Initially securing an abandoned trailer (which was later reclaimed by its owner with over a dozen queens still sleeping in the back), the group eventually found a home at 213 East Second Street.[7]
Although Sylvia, Marcia, and other STAR members like Bebe Scarpi had worked hard for groups like the Gay Activists Alliance and the Gay Liberation Front, they found little support from the existing movement. GLFer Bob Kholer helped the group fix up the STAR House and GLF gave the group money for "beer and setups" at the first STAR dance, but on the whole, GLF and GAA failed to assist the group.[8] When Sylvia asked GAA to loan the group its stereo equipment for the dance, the group declined, arguing that they were "'not in the rental business.'"[9] Even when STAR was at risk of losing its house, GAA refused to loan money to the group.[10]
Tensions between street queens and other gay liberationists predated STAR. Marcia Johnson felt alienated at GAA events; at one of the organization's dances, "...there was not even one gay brother that came over and said hello. They'd say hello, but they'd get away very quick."[11] While some women in the Gay Liberation Front got along well with transvestites, many other lesbian feminists considered drag an embodiment of all "the things that [they were] trying to break free of--high heels, girdles, corsets, stockings...."[12] Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries was formed in part out of the discrimination street queens had felt within existing grops. Sylvia Rivera remembered founding STAR "...because my brothers and sisters kept on using us when they needed us, but they weren't treating us fairly. So we wanted to be by ourselves."<Rivera, Making Gay History, 151.</ref>
GLFer Perry Brass remembers that the tensions between "the STAR girls" and GLF:
<youtube>DtJL35wGcEo</youtube>
STAR folded relatively quickly, in large part due to lack of funds. The issues that the group addressed remain prevalent today--a fact highlighted by Sylvia's decision to revive STAR in 2001 after the murder of a transgender sex worker.[13] Although almost all of the original members of STAR have since passed, a number of activists and organizations continue their work to care for queer homeless youth--and to push for full equality for all transgender people.
Bebe Scarpi, a friend of Sylvia Rivera who attended many STAR meetings and demonstrations, talks about Sylvia and STAR. She asked to be audio recorded for this interview.
<youtube>J3Odgmkd9tA</youtube>
- The University had refused to allow the Gay Student Liberation group to hold two planned dances in the Hall's subcellar.
Return to Gay Liberation in New York City.
References
- ↑ Martin Duberman, Stonewall (New York: Plume Books, 1993), 251.
- ↑ Arthur Bell, Dancing the Gay Lib Blues (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1971), 120
- ↑ "Rapping With A Street Transvestite Revolutionary/ An Interview with Marcia Johnson," in Out of the Closets:Voices of Gay Liberation, 20th Anniversary Edition, eds. Karla Jay and Allen Young (New York: New York University Press, 1992), 114-8; Bebe Scarpi, personal interview, March 5th, 2010.
- ↑ Scarpi, personal interview.
- ↑ Martin Duberman, Stonewall, 251.
- ↑ Sylvia Rivera, interview by Eric Marcus, Making Gay History (New York: Perennial, 2000), 151-2.
- ↑ Duberman, Stonewall, 251-2.
- ↑ Ibid., 252-3.
- ↑ Bell, Dancing the Gay Lib Blues, 146.
- ↑ Duberman, Stonewall, 254.
- ↑ "Rapping with a Street Transvestite Revolutionary," Out of the Closets, 114.
- ↑ Jean O'Leary, interview by Eric Marcus, Making Gay History (New York: Perennial, 2000), 154-5.
- ↑ She changed the name to the Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries Liz Highleyman, "Sylvia Rivera: A Woman Before Her Time," in Smash the Church, Smash the State, ed. Tommi Avicolli Mecca (San Francisco: City Lights Books, 2009), 174.
