📸☝️ 1️⃣ "Once Upon a Time" article from 1971 leaflet. Source: Archives of Sexuality and Gender; 2️⃣ Some of the founders of the Gay Activists Alliance, 1969

Later that month, #OnThisDate 1969, a larger group came together to continue clarifying their ideas and goals. Gay Activists Alliance would be officially formed the following month, in December 1969. More via link in bio and at nyclgbtsites.org.

All three were involved with the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) but felt GLF was unfocused with too many issues and too few accomplishments, that it had no consistent course of gay rights street activism, and that GLF had no democratically elected leaders.

📸☝️ 1️⃣ Craig Rodwell at the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, c. 1971. Courtesy of NYPL 2️⃣ Exterior of 29 Mercer Street, c. 2017 3️⃣ Rodwell in front of the bookstore, 1969, via the Craig Rodwell Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, NYPL

Draft cards (via Ancestry.com) for Eisenberg, Schwartz and Askanas are pictured. Learn more at nyclgbtsites.org. 3/3

Founding directors: Yale Leonard Eisenberg (10 Shore Boulevard), James Lang (610 E 81st Street), Irving Schwartz (1958 McGraw Avenue), Herbert Jerome Askanas (43 W 46th Street), and Albert Morris Mizrahi (1204 Evergreen Ave). 2/3

"We should march on Washington, not plead with the government for token concessions, but to demand and struggle for liberation and an end to persecution.” 4/4

"We will be in Washington, building a broad, mass movement to fight for our freedom. Our demonstration will insist on freedom for all gay people and must reflect the anger and pride of our community in the face of government callousness, double-talk, and inaction .." 3/4

"The March on Washington will mark an important point in the evolution of lesbian and gay strength: the coming together of people and organizations from all over the country to work for the first national action planned by the lesbian and gay community.." 2/4

📸☝️ 1️⃣ Salsa Soul Sisters at the 1985 NYC Pride March. Photo by Suzanne Poli 2️⃣ Salsa Soul Sister pamphlets, c. 1980. Courtesy of the Lesbian Herstory Archives 3️⃣ Exterior of Washington Square United Methodist Church & Parish House at 135 & 133 West 4th Street