LGBT POV

Mark Thompson, my friend and former editor at The Advocate, sent me this wonderful news about historian Stuart Timmons:

Longtime friends of author and community activist Stuart Timmons gathered last week to celebrate his remarkable recovery from a major stroke two-and-a-half years ago. Timmons, 53, is still wheelchair bound, but is now fully mentally alert and with the ability to speak and move about with assistance. He is expecting a return to his research and writing about GLBT history and is especially delighted with the invitation to participate in Centennial celebrations honoring the life and work of gay movement founder Harry Hay.

A two-day conference at City University New York and a major exhibition at the San Francisco Public Library are in the planning stages, with other cities soon to be included. Stuart wrote the award-winning biography on the legendary gay rights leader, The Trouble With Harry Hay, in 1990.  Harry Hay was born on Easter Sunday, April 7, 1912, in Worthing, England, although he lived many decades of his life in Los Angeles.

HRH Lee Mentley added:

Stuart is doing amazing well…, had a great lunch at “The Coffee Table” and he was alert with full memory correcting us on our history and although speaking slowly was participating in the conversation. Well on his way to full recovery! He spoke with Joey Cain on the phone and will be on the planning committee for the 100 Year Celebration for Harry Hay in San Francisco and New York City. It was a joy to be with him!

Actually, Harry Hay and John Burnside lived down the street from me in West Hollywood so I hope this city will be added to the tribute, perhaps at the new WeHo library with an event co-hosted by ONE Institute. Just a thought. I’d be happy to loan my video and photos of Harry and John.

Pictured in the photo are: (left to right) Mark Thompson, Stuart Timmons, Robert Croonquist and Lee Mentley.

This started out as a simple story about how the Harvey Milk bill is being attacked by Religious Right professionals. Not surprising. But then the story morphed into how former GLSEN head Kevin Jennings is being pilloried by the right wing, with the Family Research Council determined to bring him down. That reminded me of Project 10 founder Virginia Uribe who fought Rev Lou Sheldon in the mid-80s. And then I got an email defending Harry Hay’s part in all this. Huh? Well, click inside to see how it all fits together.