![]() ![]() She also organized events and performed at fundraisers for victims of domestic abuse. For many years following Stonewall, she was employed as a bodyguard at the Henrietta Hudson lesbian bar in New York. Often referred to as the "Rosa Parks of the gay community", Storme lived her life protecting others. Storme, it should be noted, escaped, and was not arrested that night. Finally, they began beating her, and she turned to the crowd yelling, "Why don't you guys do something?!", and with that, the crowd erupted, and the rebellion began. Each time Storme was forced into the paddy wagon, she jumped back out, and evaded the police while taunting them, along with the crowd. Four police officers grabbed her, cuffed her and then dragged her outside, where crowds of patrons began taunting the police. Stepping up to the police, she was immediately struck, and then threw a punch that knocked the cop out. The police had a long history of beating LGBT patrons of gay bars, and Storme was not about to let that happen on her watch. So it was that when police entered the establishment, a small group of butch lesbians immediately sprang into a protective mode of their friends inside the bar, and Storme took the lead. The marginalized groups who were patrons had had enough, and were ready to fight back against the police brutality that they'd endured for years. Black civil rights activists frequented the bar, and the black civil rights movement had sparked a national resistance that would be felt in those early morning hours at Stonewall. Most of the bar's patrons buzzed enthusiastically about creating a resistance. Rumors abounded that a routine raid was going to be eschewed in favor of mass arrests of patrons, and the permanent shut down of the establishment. On June 28th, 1969, Storme, who had often voluntarily served as a protector of others, was one of many Stonewall bar patrons who waited for the police to arrive. ![]() She often stood guard at lesbian bars, to protect the patrons inside, and prided herself as a protective "baby sitter" of young LGBT street kids. Storme became so influential on the circuit, that lesbian fans began dressing in suits and other 'male' attire in her honor.Īlong with serving as the show's host, Storme acted as a protector of the show's drag queen and transwomen performers, a role she extended to the community in general. Touring the black theater circuit, the revue became a great success, drawing in fans who themselves were superstars, including such luminaries as Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington. Stome performed as the group's MC, wearing male drag (and appearing as a 'dandy') and singing in a robust baritone. Storme integrated the troupe, making it the first racially integrated drag revue in the country, and the group became known as "The Jewel Box Revue". Initially agreeing to help the revue for six months, she ultimately remained with the troupe for six years. In 1946, while touring in Miami, Storme met Danny Brown and Doc Brenner, the proprietors of "Danny's Jewel Box", a drag revue. In the 1940's, Storme adopted the name “Stormy Dale”, and became a successful. For a period of time she worked in the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, riding jumping horses bareback (and side-saddle). At the age of 18, she realized she was a lesbian and she moved to Chicago, fearing she'd be killed if she remained in the south. As a teenager, her father sent her to a private school for her own physical safety. Bullied as a child by racists, one incident left her in a leg brace, and another with a deep scar (from being hung on a fence). Her parents were not issued a birth certificate, because interracial marriage was illegal (her mother was black, her father was white). FOR SHAME.Storme Delarverie (pronounced De-la-vee-yay) was born in 1920 in New Orleans. The death and Life of Marsha P Johnson documentary on NetflixĪnd, yes, this time I did use a little bit of Wikipedia.And That’s Okay” video by The New York Times “The Stonewall Riot You Know Is a Myth.“Did Marsha P Johnson Start the Stonewall Riots?” video by Inside Edition."Stormee Sings jAz the Blues" published by jazjericho on youtube () Interested in starting a podcast of your own? I highly suggest using buzzsprout to list and post! If you use my affiliate link, you get a $20 amazon gift card after 2 paid months. And all made a poignant impact on the history of gay rights in America and throughout the world. All were discriminated against by those within and outside of the community. All were members of the LGBTQIA+ community. As part two of the story of the Stonewall Riots of 1969, we will be discussing three of the icons of that night, a brief story of their life and struggles and contribution to the LGBTQIA+ movement.
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