Episode 1: Stonewall Riots and the Gay Liberation Front - a podcast by LORI E ALLEN

Ep. 01: Stonewall Riots and Gay Liberation Front

Join guests Marguerite McLaughlin and Nettie Pollard who speak about their early experiences in NYC and London, respectively.  Beginning in 1969 in NYC,  Marguerite reflects on what is was like in New York for the gay community at the time of the uprising. Following, Nettie shares her experience as a member of the Gay Liberation Front in early 1970s London.

Guests: Marguerite McLaughlin, Nettie Pollard

Interviewer: Evelyn Pittman

Producer: Lori E Allen

Logo: Lesley Greening Lassoff

Special Mention: Rachel James and Beverley Hunnybun for help and support with production

Marguerite McLaughlin:

Marguerite McLaughlin has been a lesbian feminist activist for 46 years years.  At 22, she joined  'Lesbian Feminist Liberation', a sister group to The Gay Activist Alliance, where she directed the world's first full length lesbian musical performed at the infamous GAA firehouse in New York City.

Shortly after re-locating the UK,  Marguerite engaged in student politics and was elected the East Anglia representative for the National Union of Students Gay Rights Campaign in 1974, where she became involved in a wide range of feminist activity including women's theatre, community arts projects, radical photography co-operatives and writing for the left-wing/ alternative press.

In the 1980s, she worked with the Inner London Education Authority and the BBC before moving on to work with some of the UK's first LGBT+ charities including London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard, Kairos In Soho and The Metro Centre, often working in partnership with local Authorities, the Metropolitan Police and the Department of Health.

In 2013 Marguerite was awarded a British Empire Medal by the Queen for her services to LGBT and African communities

Currently Marguerite is a film programmer for The Vito Project at London's Cinema Museum, a volunteer for Opening Doors London, including its oral history project, a regular contributor to Diva Magazine and a very proud honourary member of the Revolting Lesbians group, New York City.

Nettie Pollard:

Nettie Pollard has been a member of the Gay Liberation Front since 1971.  In addition to her activism with GLF, she also served as Gay Rights Organiser for the National Council of Civil Liberties for over two decades. Her activism spans 50 years engaging in many campaigns organised by the GLF, and including ongoing protest against armaments and supporting migrants.

Audio Bibliography (source available on request)

Spoken Quotes

1958. The Homosexual in Our Society

1970.  Police in New York City

1967. CBS Report with Mike Wallace: The Homosexuals

1993. Dyke TV. Episode 1

1968. The Killing of Sister George

1971. The Festival of Light

(year unknown). Malcolm Muggeridge on Equality

1950 (year unknown). Elocution Lessons from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts

Songs

1969. Creedance Clearwater Revival. Fortunate Son

1965. Oh Freedom. Shirley Verret

1969. Frank Sinatra. I Did it My Way.

1979. Derek Jarman. The Tempest.

Sound FX Foley 

(available upon request)

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