Craig Rodwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Craig Rodwell
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Rodwell (right) with his partner, Fred Sargeant, in the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop
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| Born | October 31, 1940 |
| Died | June 18, 1993 (aged 52) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Occupation | Activist and bookshop proprietor |
| Known for | Founding Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop and proposed the first annual Gay Pride March, then called Christopher Street Liberation Day |
| Honors | Lambda Literary Award for Publisher's Service, in the inaugural fifty American "pioneers, trailblazers, and heroes" inducted on the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor within the Stonewall National Monument |
Craig L. Rodwell (born October 31, 1940 – died June 18, 1993) was an American activist. He is famous for starting the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop in 1967. This was the first bookstore focused on books by and about gay and lesbian people. He also played a key role in creating the first New York City pride march. Many people see Rodwell as a very important leader in the early movement for gay rights in the 1960s.
Contents
Early Life and Activism
Craig Rodwell was born in Chicago, Illinois. When he was six, he went to a special school for boys. He stayed there for seven years. At this school, he learned the importance of "telling the truth."
After school, Rodwell moved to New York City in 1958. He soon started volunteering for a group called The Mattachine Society of New York. This was an early organization working for gay rights. He settled in Greenwich Village, a neighborhood in New York known for its diverse community. He felt the Mattachine Society was too careful, so he looked for new ways to make a difference.
Friendship with Harvey Milk
In the early 1960s, Rodwell became friends with Harvey Milk. Milk later became one of the first openly gay politicians elected to a major office. Rodwell's strong belief in activism influenced Milk.
When Rodwell opened his bookshop in 1967, Milk often visited. Milk later moved to San Francisco and opened a camera store. This store also became a community hub, much like Rodwell's bookshop.
Leading the Way for Rights
In 1967, Rodwell started a group called Homophile Youth Movement in Neighborhood (HYMN). He also published a newsletter called HYMNAL. Rodwell helped organize the first yearly gay rights protest, called the Annual Reminder. This protest happened every year from 1965 to 1969. He was also present at the Stonewall Riots in 1969.
Rodwell was a bold voice in the early movement for gay rights. While many activists used fake names to stay safe, Rodwell always used his real name.
Protesting for Fairness
In 1964, Rodwell and other activists protested in New York. They spoke out against the military's rule that kept gay people from serving. They also protested against dishonorable discharges for those found to be gay.
In 1965, Rodwell led another protest at the United Nations Plaza. This protest was against Cuba's policy of sending gay people to work camps.
Promoting "Gay is Good"
In 1968, Rodwell and activist Frank Kameny started promoting the slogan "Gay is Good". This idea was similar to "Black is Beautiful." Rodwell used this slogan in ads for his bookshop and in his newsletter. He also sold buttons and stickers with the slogan. This phrase helped build pride and visibility for gay people.
The "Sip-In" Protest
On April 21, 1966, Rodwell, along with Dick Leitsch and John Timmons, held a protest called a "Sip-In." They went to Julius, a bar in Greenwich Village. They were protesting a rule that made it illegal for gay people to gather in bars that served alcohol. Rodwell had been kicked out of Julius before for wearing an "Equality for Homosexuals" button. The activists argued that this rule led to police corruption. Their public protest helped end this unfair rule.
The Stonewall Riots
Rodwell was a key participant in the Stonewall Riots. These events began early in the morning of June 28, 1969. Rodwell and his partner, Fred Sargeant, were walking home when they saw a police raid at the Stonewall Inn. As police arrested people from the bar, Rodwell started a chant: "Gay Power!" The police went back inside the bar, and the riot began.
Rodwell and Sargeant quickly called news reporters. They wanted the world to know what was happening. They also made and handed out 5,000 flyers. These flyers spoke out against the police and the bar's management.
The First Gay Pride March
In November 1969, Rodwell suggested the idea for the first gay pride parade. He proposed this at a meeting in Philadelphia. His partner, Fred Sargeant, and other activists like Ellen Broidy and Linda Rhodes, helped him. The first march was planned from Rodwell's apartment in New York City. This historic event helped create the pride marches we see today.
Later Activism and Legacy
In 1978, Rodwell helped create Gay People in Christian Science (GPICS). This group worked to support gay and lesbian members of the Christian Science church. By 1999, years after Rodwell's death, the church no longer stopped openly gay or lesbian people from joining.
In March 1993, Rodwell sold his famous bookshop. He passed away on June 18, 1993, at the age of 52.
Honors and Recognition
Rodwell received the 1992 Lambda Literary Award for Publisher's Service. This award recognized his important work with his bookshop.
In June 2019, Rodwell was honored as one of the first fifty American "pioneers, trailblazers, and heroes." His name was added to the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City. This monument is the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights and history. This honor happened during the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
See also
- Timeline of LGBT history
- List of gay, lesbian or bisexual people
- List of LGBT rights activists
