St. Louis: Hometown of LGBT History Month
By Ian Darnell
October 1, 2014: The Gay Star News came up with a list of eight states that have shaped the history of queer people in the United States -- and both Illinois and Missouri made the list. Illinois is recognized for being the first US state to decriminalize same-sex sex acts. Missouri makes the list as the home of Rodney Wilson, who in 1993 founded LGBT History Month while he was a high school social studies teacher in suburban St. Louis County. LGBT History Month is now celebrated nationwide each October. Two years ago the St. Louis LGBT History Project honored Wilson at a special LGBT History Month event. Wilson is also the author of "'The Seed Time of Gay Rights': Rev. Carol Cureton, the Metropolitan Community Church, and Gay St. Louis, 1969-1980," a wonderful article on LGBT political and religious activism that appeared in Gateway Heritage, the journal of the Missouri Historical Society. Pictured: Rodney Wilson with a poster created by one of his 1993 Mehlville High School students as part of an LGBT History Month project.
Clementines Treasure Drive
Pictured: 1978 grand opening schedule of events for Clementines.
September 25, 2014: Sadly, the rumors are true. St. Louis' famous Clementines bar is closing. It was the oldest gay bar in St. Louis. Please join the Project for a special thanks for the memories event. Representatives of the Project will be on hand this Sunday to collect any artifacts documenting Clem's historic run. Do you have Clem's t-shirts, buttons, posters, photographs, videos, or other items to donate to the Project? Please bring them so they can be preserved. The place will be packed on Sunday, so please plan to drop by early to share your treasures. if you can't make it Sunday, contact us to donate your items. Thank you.
St. Louis LGBT History Project Clem's Treasure Drive
Clementines, 2001 Menard (Soulard)
Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014
1-4pm (before it gets really really packed)
2014 Pride Banner Donations
Aug. 16, 2014: Pride St. Louis, Inc., has donated a collection of 2014 banners/signs used during this year's PrideFest held at Solider's Memorial in downtown St. Louis. The banners include sponsor listings, maps, and other directional information. The banners add to the Project's collection of Pride related materials dating back to 1980. Thanks to Pride St. Louis, Inc., for their on-going support of the Project.
Just John Raises $2,000 for Project
July 30, 2014: Just John's "Bachelor Auction" raised more than $2,000 to benefit the Project. Thanks to members of the Just John staff for agreeing to be auctioned as dinner dates at the July 25 event. Special thanks to Atomic Cowboy, Market Pub House, RISE Coffee House, The Cheshire St. Louis, Rehab Saint Louis, CJ's on the Hill, Three Monkeys, and Triumph Grill for donating gift certificates for the dates. The Project will use the funds to create educational displays and to preserve photographs, videos, and other documents. The Project can receive donations through its fiscal agent - The LGBT Center of St. Louis. For more information contact the Project.
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