Pride Warriors of History

It’s not certain who threw the first punch at the Stonewall Uprising in New York City in 1969. However, many believe that it could have been Stormé DeLarverie, a groundbreaking drag king performer, who died in 2014 after spending her life as a gay and civil rights activist. 

DeLarverie was born in New Orleans, Louisana in 1920 to an African American mother who was a servant to a white homeowner, her father. She spent the 1950s and 60s as the MC of the "Jewel Box Revue", a variety performance troupe that toured often, showcasing both black and white performers. The Revue mostly featured men dressed in drag while DeLaverie performed as the only male impersonator in the show. Most notably, the Jewel Box Revue was the first integrated drag company of this time and attracted crowds of both black and white viewers. 

Prior to her time with the Jewel Box, however, DeLarverie is said to have worked in Chicago as a bodyguard to mobsters. Perhaps this is where her cool sense of style came from.

DeLarverie is best known for possibly throwing the first punch at the Stonewall Inn uprising in 1969. Although so many people were involved that night, it makes it difficult to determine who the instigator was. While some witnesses say that DeLarverie threw the first punch, and she made the claim herself as well, others say no. Regardless, DeLarverie was a significant part of what is seen as the catalytic event of the burgeoning gay rights movement.

Shortly after Stonewall, in July 1969, DeLarverie became part of the official formation of the Stonewall Veteran’s Association. She was very active in the organization, holding the various titles of Chief of Security, Ambassador, and from 1998 to 2000, serving as the organization’s Vice-President. DeLarverie was also a regular part of the pride parades in New York City.

For many years DeLarverie was also a self-appointed “guardian of lesbians” in the Village. From the 1980s through the 1990s, she worked as a jazz singer and a bouncer. She also held a state gun permit. Tall and armed, DeLarverie patrolled the streets of the lower Seventh and Eighth avenues in New York where gay clubs and bars resided, on the lookout for what she called “ugliness”. This was her word for any form of intolerance, bullying, or abuse of her “baby girls.”

She lived at the famous Hotel Chelsea throughout this time and maintained her vigilance against anti-gay and anti-black bigotry until she was 85. DeLarverie died in 2014 at the age of 93 after a long period of physical and mental health ailments. For more information on DeLarverie’s incredible life please check out the links below.