On this day, 24 December 1920, biracial lesbian and gay rights icon Stormé DeLarverie was born in New Orleans. She is credited by some as sparking the Stonewall riots, as according to some eyewitnesses and her own account she was the “New York butch” who was arrested and attacked by police. Bleeding from a head wound, the lesbian began to fight back and called to the crowd “Why don’t you guys do something?” When she was thrown into a police van the crowd erupted and the Stonewall rebellion began.
Some people dispute this and believe it was more likely to be Marilyn Fowler, the only lesbian with an arrest record for that night.
As well as working as an MC, bouncer and bodyguard, DeLarverie carried a gun and patrolled the streets of the Village, protecting other lesbians from street harassment or assault, and also raised money for survivors of domestic violence.
More info in our podcast episodes 25-26 about the Stonewall riots, with participants: https://workingclasshistory.com/2019/05/13/e21-22-the-stonewall-riots-and-pride-at-50/ https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.294735704044920/1883403231844818/?type=3