Ed Field 1945

Ed Field 2007

Edward Field: Autobiographical Reflections, 1924-2009, by Edward Field

Edward Field's autobiographical entries about life, love, and his escapades around the world. This is a considerably revised version of Field's entry in Contemporary Authors, Autobiography Series, Volume 27 (published in 1997 by Gale).

Billy Strayhorn

Billy Strayhorn, jazz musician

A jury in Domestic Relations Court in Dallas, Texas denies Mary Jo Risher custody of her 9-year-old son.

A jury in Domestic Relations Court in Dallas, Texas denies Mary Jo Risher custody of her 9-year-old son. The Risher case was one of many in the 1970s in which women who came out as lesbians after marrying men and having children lost custody of…

The New York Times publishes a front-page story titled “Growth of Overt Homosexuality in City Provokes Wide Concern.”

The New York Times publishes a front-page story titled “Growth of Overt Homosexuality in City Provokes Wide Concern.” The article describes the existence of a homosexual subculture as the city’s “most sensitive open…

The U.S. Senate releases a report titled “Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government.”

The U.S. Senate released a report titled “Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government.” The report described homosexuals as “security risks” and wrote that even one homosexual “can pollute a Government office.” The report…

Opening of the North American Conference of Homophile Organizations.

Lesbian and gay activists from around the country gathered in Chicago for the opening of the North American Conference of Homophile Organizations. Delegates to the conference endorsed "Gay Is Good" as a slogan for the movement.

The first “Annual Reminder” is staged outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

The first “Annual Reminder” is staged outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia with conservatively dressed lesbians and gay men marching in respectful protest. This was a homophile-organized protest to raise attention to the discrimination that gays…

Supreme Court rules in Manual Enterprises v. Day.

In a 6-1 decision, the Supreme Court rules, in the case of Manual Enterprises v. Day, involving photo magazines of male nudes, that the magazines could not be considered obscene and therefore were not in violation of federal anti-obscenity laws.

First picket of White House by gay and lesbian activists.

A group of gay and lesbian activists mounted a picket line outside the White House. Carrying signs with such messages as “Fifteen Million U.S. Homosexuals Protest Federal Treatment,” they protested the exclusion of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals…

First "Great Southeast Lesbian Conference" convened.

Almost 325 women from 18 states begin convening in Atlanta for the “Great Southeast Lesbian Conference.” Sponsored by the Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance, the three-day conference was organized around the theme of “Building a Lesbian Community.”

Supreme Court issues ruling in Boutilier vs. INS

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court rules, in Boutilier v. INS, that under the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, the Immigration and Naturalization Service can exclude foreign nationals who were homosexual from coming to the United States. …

Arsonists set fire to the mother congregation of the MCC.

Arsonists in Los Angeles set fire to the building housing the mother congregation of the Metropolitan Community Church , an LGBT-friendly church founded by Reverend Troy Perry. In the 1970s, a number of the MCC’s meeting places around the United…

Diane Feinstein speaks to the Tavern Guild

Diane Feinstein speaks to the Tavern Guild at Polk Street's Casa de Cristal.

Advertisements for Christmas, 1968

Advertisements by Polk Street merchants for Christmas, 1968.

Anthony Caballo.

Anthony Cabello.

The P.S. Lounge.

The P.S. Lounge on Polk Street. Courtesy of the GLBTHS.

Tavern Guild sign

Tavern Guild sign for display in member bars.

Map of gay bars, c. 1970s

Map of gay bars, c. 1970s