By Dan White

October 19, 2014: “A PARADE? Chuck darling, are you out of your mind?” Chuck Charleston was at it again! His infectious enthusiasm sparkled from his eyes as he laid out his crazy idea. He wanted to set up a parade. We would gather at noon in front of the Red Bull. Then drive across Eads Bridge, down Market street and end up at “the cannon” in Forest Park. “Chuck are you forgetting this is Saint Louis? They will kill us," I protested.

“Oh Miss Little, they are having parades all over the country now. “Its been four years since that riot in New York. “It is time we made some noise!” “Yes honey, I knew about Stonewall. “Did you forget I report news on radio? “I reported on that the night it happened.”  I had just graduated from Lindenwood College. My nick name there was “Chicken Little”. Chuck thought this was hilarious! He promptly explained to me what the term “Chicken” implied in the gay culture. Ever since, he always referred to me as “Miss Little”.

“Oh girlfriend, we all know of Miss Little's oral talents," said Chuck. "Now then, do you have a convertible? “We need a bunch of convertibles for the drag queens to ride in. “Can't you just see Miss Donna Drag, waving to the crowds like the Queen of England?” He raised his right hand and twisted his wrist around in a great copy the Royal wave.

Well by this time I knew I was hooked. I would take part, but damn, what was I getting into? Chuck had a way of drawing you into his plans. As I write this, I am unsure if it was 1973 or 1974. (According to Phyllis Kitchen it was May/June 1973). This was crazy! I could lose my job and never work in radio again. My career would be over before it really began.

Lets see, I could borrow my grandmother's 1963 Studebaker. It wasn't a convertible but it would be an interesting car for a parade. It also could not be traced to me like my own car would. On the way home from the bar, my friend Jim (who would gain fame as Miss Eddie Gregory) was all for it. It would give her a chance to dress in drag. Then maybe Donna Drag would let her preform there at the Red Bull!

The thought of doing this was exciting! There is always a certain thrill to danger. Can't remember anyone thinking that we were creating history. It was more like seeing what we could get by with!

Officially this would be “The Red Bull Presents: Mardi Gras North”. Less confrontational than painting signs proclaiming Gay Power! That morning we lined up our cars on Missouri Ave in front of the bar. It was clear and bright as the drivers attached streamers of crape paper with masking tape to their cars. Chuck had his red and white 1957 Thunderbird at the front of the line.

The drag queens were inside the bar getting all pretty, (and having more than a few drinks). I can't remember how many cars started our jaunt to the cannon in Forest Park. I wore a large flowing neon colored boa, dark glasses and a hard hat! We all were honking and waving at the unsuspecting people along the way.

We had no permit – could not have gotten one anyway. This was still a time when shoppers would be on the sidewalks in downtown St. Louis. A few would wave back just from habit I guess.

October 15, 2014: The Project thanks Paul LeFebvre for scanning pictrues from his collection to share that document bar life, Pride, and other LGBT events over the years. One of the treasures from his stash includes this great shot of the infamous Bette Davis (Jimmy Walker) holding court at Magnolia's. We will be posting more of his images soon. Look for more Project news next week featuring great stories from the past, as well as new donations as we celebrate LGBT History Month (founded right here in St. Louis in 1994 by Rodney Wilson).

By Ken Haller

October 13, 2014: I am happy to announce my donation of public relations papers/materials collected over the years by Brad Graham to the St. Louis LGBT History Project. Brad was a writer, blogger, humorist, actor, journalist, activist, raconteur, and wit. He died of natural causes on January 6, 2010. He was a passionate advocate for LGBT equality, doing countless hours of volunteer work, mostly in the public relations sphere, for St. Louis-area LGBT organizations like PREP (now PROMO), That Uppity Theatre Company, the Gateway Men's Chorus, and countless others.

He was a leading producer and writer on St. Louis's cable access LGBT newsmagazine, "Outlook St. Louis." He had an unparalleled collection of gay-themed t-shirts, most of them NSFW but quite successful in bars.

"The Project appeciates  Dr. Haller's donation of these amazing public relations materials showcasing Brad's involvement with EFA, the NAMES Project, Outlook St. Louis, and so much more," said Steven Brawley, Project Founder. "Brad's collection of news releases, advertisements, photographs, and videos document the St. Louis region's early 1990s response to the HIV-AIDS crisis and overall LGBT activism."

Brad's true passions were theater and blogging. At the time of his death, he was the Director of PR and Marketing at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and was beloved by the entire St. Louis theater community.

He was also a fixture at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival where his annual Breakfast with Brad session on blogging was always a hot ticket. He is credited by the Oxford English Dictionary as having coined the word "blogosphere," though when he first used it, it was sardonically.

He is deeply missed and will continue to be missed for decades to come by all who knew and loved him, because he was so nice, so cool, and so funny! Picture: Brad Graham/The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.