From 1970 until 1972, Gilbert Baker served as a medic in the US Army while stationed in San Francisco at the beginning of the gay rights movement. He always exhibited artistic tendancies and was taught to sew by a fellow activist. After his discharge from the service, he began to create banners for demonstrations in …
Audre Lorde was a writer and civil rights activist. As a poet, she is best known for her extremely expressive style. Her poems express anger and outrage at the civil and social injustices she observed throughout her life. The overall themes of her poetry and prose focused largely on issues related to civil rights, feminism, lesbianism, …
Sylvia Rivera was a pioneering advocate for civil rights. She, and her friend Marsha Johnson, co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, a group to help homeless gay youth on the streets of New York City. Sylvia fought hard for the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act in New York. The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the …
Freddie Starr, leading his Mersey Beat group The Midnighters, set out for fame in the early 60s. Despite being represented by Beatles manager Brian Epstein and having singles produced by music impresario Joe Meek, Freddie could not catch a break. It wasn’t until an appearance on the British talent show Opportunity Knocks that Freddie’s popularity …
Larri Thomas started her career as a dancer and actress, nabbing a few roles in various television commercials. She was chosen by noted film producer Samuel Goldwyn to be one of his “Goldwyn Girls.” Larri was one of six young ladies who performed on a promotional tour for the big-screen version of the musical Guys …
Tim Conway was a funny guy. Unfortunately, Hollywood had a difficult time placing him in just the right vehicle to showcase his talent for comedy. Sure, he had a successful run playing second fiddle to Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine on McHale’s Navy, but Tim’s own variety show was cancelled after the standard 13 weeks, …
She was born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff. Rock Hudson called her “Eunice.” Billy DeWolfe called her “Clara.” America knew her as “Sweetheart.”
They tried to make her go to rehab. She said, “No, no, no.”
She taught Bogie how to whistle. He called her “Betty.”
Statuesque Darine Stern was an in-demand, high fashion model throughout the 1970s. She was represented by Ford Models, Nina Blanchard, Ellen Hart and Shirley Hamilton Models of Chicago. Her compelling beauty, as well as her voluminous Afro, afforded Darine the respect of her peers. Darine’s career began in a notable, yet unusual manner. In October 1971, she became the first …
