Before Stonewall The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community DVD with Rita Mae Brown, Evelyn Hooker, Ricky Streiker (NR) +Movie Reviews

Inside History's Closet

J. Michael Click | Fort Worth, Texas United States | 07/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Originally produced for PBS television, the Emmy-winning "Before Stonewall" is a must-see documentary for anyone researching Gay American history. What makes this film so invaluable is its success in recreating - through photographs, film clips, and later-day interviews - a period in time that was carefully and deliberately NOT recorded as it was happening due to the pervasive institution of "the closet", and the very real dangers that faced those brave enough to crack open the door and step out into the light. As one courageous lesbian pioneer remembers, just being accused of being a gay woman was grounds for involuntary commitment to a mental institution during her youth. Small wonder, then, that there is such a paucity of material documenting the gay movement pre-Stonewall, especially during the years from 1900-1950, before the earliest Gay and Lesbian social and political institutions in the United States were founded.The cornerstone of this remarkable film is the handful of interviews conducted with some elderly activists from the years before the Stonewall riots began on June 27, 1969. With humor, dignity, and matter-of-fact courage, these men and women tell personal stories about their experiences in the armed forces, in the halls of government, in society, and in their home lives during the years in which America at large experienced the roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the Second World War, the beginning of the Baby Boom era, and the radical Sixties. Their recollections are not only fascinating and brilliantly told; they are of critical importance in understanding the true heritage and history of today's American gay community. The DVD edition offers some fascinating extra material, including some expanded interviews, and footage of poet Allen Ginsberg reading two of his early compositions. Very highly recommended in terms of both quality and content."

It Started in the Past...

James Hiller | Beaverton, OR | 02/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For many of us, the seeds of the gay liberation movement started on the nights of Stonewall, when a group of people just decided that they weren't going to take it anymore. However, there was gay life before Stonewall, which is documented in this fast paced documentary.

The movie attempts to collapse about forty years of gay history into a documentary of about ninety minutes. With a plethora of interviews, people telling their own stories, it's amazing what it does cover. While the depth of the history may be somewhat lacking, the real impact of the document is an understanding of the roots of where the gay movement came from.

It seems as we enter times of trial and tribulation, it's important to understand our roots. It's those roots, based in the stories that are in this movie, that ground us and help instill a sense a pride in where we've come from, and where we'll be going. With that pride comes strength, strength of will, strength of character. The people who so bravely walked before us, in the 1920's where wearing a red tie with matching hanky was the most obvious sign, to those impressive drag queens who finally decided that enough was enough, are our sources of self-empowerment.

Watch the documentary, buy it, and be ready."

Stunning Riveting Empowering Inspiring

Stephen G. Shumate | Greenville, SC USA | 02/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The prior reviews on this movie hit most of the high points. The scene from Eisenhower's office during WWII is amazing - every time I see it I get goosebumps.

This movie does move quickly, but it really takes you from the days of hiding and shame to the revolution of Stonewall and beyond, to end on a note of triumph. It has been a while since I have been to a march, but every time I watch this movie, I am so moved, and proud of those who came before me. I am honored to be the recipient of the rewards of their struggle. I am inspired to live my best life as an openly gay man.

If you have ever felt second best, if you have ever ducked into the closet to make someone else more comfortable, if you have ever been ashamed of who you are as a gay person; this movie is for you.

I personally believe this movie should be required viewing for every gay person.

"

M*U*S*T H*A*V*E!

Alex Honda | Los Angeles, CA USA | 06/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The BEFORE STONEWALL dvd is one of three must have documentaries for all LGBT people (the others being After Stonewall and Paris Is Burning).

Chronicling the time from the roaring 20s to just before the Stonewall riots in 1969, BEFORE STONEWALL takes the viewer on a journey through the struggle that gay men and lesbians have faced as they go from isolation to finding others "like them." The story is told from the mouths of the people who lived through those times like Harry Hay, Barbara Gittings, Audre Lorde, Allen Ginsberg and others, and provides photos, news-clippings, and personal home movies and talks about the importance of underground 'zines that helped gay and lesbians connect with one another.

The doc also shows the beginnings of LGBT groups like "The Mattachine Society" and "Daughters of Billitis" during the late 50s, and features a reunion of workers and patrons of San Francisco gay bar from the 50s "The Black Cat."

BEFORE... came out on PBS in 1985 and "first-run-features" has done an excellent job cleaning up the footage. Of course it doesn't look as though it were done recently, but it's passable. The film runs at about 87-minutes and the special features include: blurry interview with Allen Ginsberg who reads two of his poems; additional interviews with Audre Lorde and Yvonne Flowers; additional footage of The Black Cat bar reunion and interview with Jose Sarria."

Our History Documented

Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 12/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"

"BEFORE STONEWALL: The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community"

Our Stories, Our Lives

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

?Before Stonewall? (First Run Features) is an obligatory film?it is the story of gay and lesbians and how so much of what we have today was gained for us by a courageous few. In 1969, the New York police raided the Stonewall Inn, a famous gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York. This led to three days and three nights of rioting by the gay community of New York. And thus was born the gay liberation movement in America. It was then that the group of New York men and women said that they had had enough and were not going to take anymore. The closet door of America opened and out we poured?determined to fight for our right to meet and to begin the fight for equality.
In this amazing film, we get a look at the events leading up to that night at the Stonewall and we also see what really made it happen. Up until then we were the victims of horrible and terrifying treatment at the hands of the law enforcement agencies across this great country. This is the story, our story which is at times humorous and at other times revealing but most important?it is our story. The beginnings of the gay rights movement were at times glorious, at times depressing. and always emotional. We had finally decided that being third-class citizens was not for us. Sure, we all have heard of Stonewall but how many of us are aware of what happened before Stonewall. In this movie we have a decade by decade history of gay life in America through historical film footage and interviews with those who lived through the period. I tell so many of my younger friends that when they consider where we, the gay community, are today, to look back and see how it came to be and that those who fought for it are the true heroes.
I have seen this movie many times and it never ceases to amaze
me. The material that has been gleaned from the archives?film clips and photographs of gay life in America from 1900 to the 60s is enough alone to make this film a treasure, But add to that the interviews with those who were alive during pre-Stonewall and that makes this movie priceless. It is a must for everyone but especially for those who are interested in the field of gay studies and for anyone who is socially conscious.
It examines how gay people lived and supported each other in the days before the famous raids which were a catalyst for the gay rights movement. It features many brave individuals who risked life and limb back then by even broaching the subject of homosexuality.
If you consider yourself a member of a community, it is only right that you would want to know the history of that community. Here is an easy way to have a look at our history. It is fascinating, lively, funny, sad and above all intelligent. This is a movie that you owe it to yourself to see.
_________________
Amos Lassen
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"

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