Craig Rodwell: Marching for Gay Pride

Learn about Craig Rodwell, a key figure of the 1960s LGBTQIA+ rights movement.

Rodwell_bartender_hirezSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

Craig Rodwell, pictured here wearing a solid black tie, was a leader of the LGBTQIA+ movement and founder of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, which celebrated LGBTQIA+ issues and authors. An advocate for aggressive action, he joined the Julius’ Bar sip-in, the Stonewall  Riots, and helped organize the first Gay Pride march.  

Randy Wicker and Craig Rodwell Picketing (1964) by Unidentified PhotographerSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

Rodwell moved to New York City in 1958 at the age of 18. He was active in the New York branch of the Mattachine Society (1955–76), one of the first gay rights organizations, and formed the Mattachine Young Adults. He is shown here in 1964 protesting the military’s  discriminatory policies outside of the army’s Whitehall Street induction center in New York—one of the earliest LGBTQIA+ demonstrations.

Mattachine Society Protest (1965) by Joseph T. MartinSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

As part of the East Coast Homophile Organizations (ECHO), Rodwell helped organize the Annual Reminder demonstrations on July 4 in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia from 1965 to 1969. Respectably dressed, the protesters sought to remind Americans that the LGBTQIA+  community deserved equal rights.  

Craig Rodwell (with John Timmins, Randy Wicker, and Dick Leitch) (1966)Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

Rodwell is pictured here at the 1966 “sip-in” at the Julius’ Bar in New York City with other members of the Mattachine Society. Inspired by the sit ins of the civil rights movement, they declared that they were gay and demanded service.  State liquor regulations allowed  bartenders to refuse service to the  LGBTQIA+ community for “disorderly” behavior. 

Julius’ was the fourth bar visited by the persistent Rodwell and his fellow activists. This powerful photo contributed to the sip-in’s success, and LGBTQIA+ individuals were subsequently served at bars in New York state.  

Craig Rodwell in the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, NYC (1971) by Kay TobinSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

Afterward, Rodwell pushed the Mattachine Society to “set up a combination bookstore, counseling service, fund-raising headquarters, and office.”  When they declined, he left and opened the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop in 1967. It was New York City’s first LGBTQIA+ bookstore  and among the first in the United States.  

Rodwell refused to carry books and magazines that exploited LGBTQIA+ sexuality. Instead, he sold publications that celebrated and explored LGBTQIA+ identity. Until 1973, homosexuality was considered a disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, and such affirming spaces were rare.

Listen to Vito Russo’s interview with Craig Rodwell 

Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookstore Ad Discussing the Homophile Youth Movement (HYMN) (1968) by UnknownSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

At the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, Rodwell founded the Homophile Youth Movement in Neighborhoods (HYMN) and published the “New York Hymnal.” As this advertisement notes, the journal aimed to help young LGBTQIA+ individuals “gain a sense of identity and pride.”   

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The Stonewall Inn was one of the few bars that allowed individuals of the same sex to dance together and to dress outside of gender norms. It was owned by the mafia, who bribed the police to stay in business. Still, the Stonewall Inn was regularly raided,  and the patrons were harassed. Usually, the mafia had advance warning.  

Sylvia Rivera (with Christina Hayworth and Julia Murray) (2000) by Luis CarleSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

In the early hours of June 28, 1969, frustration at a surprise raid and police harassment grew into a riot. Patrons, community members, and future LGBTQIA+ leaders such as Sylvia Rivera, pictured here in 2000, publicly pushed back for the first time.  Rodwell joined the six-day protest.  

Christopher Street Looking East Towards Sixth Avenue by Various

One year after the Stonewall Riots, Rodwell worked with some of the newly formed LGBTQIA+ organizations to commemorate the anniversary with the Christopher Street Liberation Day march. It was the first Gay Pride march.

Sylvia Rivera (with Christina Hayworth and Julia Murray) (2000) by Luis CarleSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

Nevertheless, some individuals, including transgender activist Sylvia Rivera, were not fully welcomed until later.

Craig Rodwell (1992 (printed 1993)) by Robert GiardSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

Rodwell remained active in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement until his death in 1993. He sold the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop shortly before his passing. It remained open until 2009.  

The Plaque at Stonewall Inn (2019-06-21) by Grace MahonySmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

Today the Stonewall Inn is a national monument, a plaque honors the sip-in at Julius’ Bar, and every year the LGBTQIA+ community and allies march in pride parades across the nation. Rodwell helped show that “Gay is Good.”               

Craig Rodwell at the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop (1969-10-14) by Fred W. McDarrahSmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

Credits: Story

Title page: Gay Pride Parade by Tanushree Rao on Unsplash   

Craig Rodwell (with John Timmins, Randy Wicker, and Dick Leitch) by Federick W. McDarrah, 1966. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution © Estate of Fred W. McDarrah   

Mattachine Society Protest by Joseph T. Martin, 1965. Temple University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center   

Randy Wicker and Craig Rodwell Picketing,” 1964. Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library  

Craig Rodwell in the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, NYC by Kay Tobin, 1971. Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library  

Vito Russo's Our Time: Episode 6 – Writers [clip], posted Nov. 24, 2013. View full video here: https://youtu.be/bbb9jfunymw   

Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookstore Ad Discussing the Homophile Youth Movement (HYMN), 1968. Craig Rodwell Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library   

Google Street View of the Stonewall Inn  

Sylvia Rivera (with Christina Hayworth and Julia Murray) by Luis Carle, 2000. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquisition made possible through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, © Luis Carle 
 
First Christopher Street Liberation Day March by Leonard Fink, 1970 / Leonard Fink. Leonard Fink Photographs, The LGBT Community Center National History Archive 
 
Craig Rodwell by Robert Giard, 1992 (printed 1993). The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library © Jonathan G. Silin 
 
Craig Rodwell at the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop by Fred W. McDarrah, 1969. NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project; gift of the Estate of Fred W. McDarrah 

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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