The Gay Activists Alliance was founded in New York City in December 1969 after the Stonewall riots, by dissident members of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) who wanted to form a non-violent "single issue, politically neutral, militant organizaiton" whose goal was to "secure basic human rights, dignity and freedom for all gay people."
The Gay Activists Alliance was most active from 1970 to 1974. They published the Gay Activist newspaper until 1980. Their New York City headquarters (the Firehouse on Wooster Street in Greenwich Village) was burned down by arsonists in 1974. GAA eventually dissolved in October 1981.
GAA members performed zaps -- public peaceful confrontations with officials to draw media attention. Their first president was Jim Owles.
The symbol of the Gay Activists Alliance was the lower case greek letter lambda (λ) taken from physics where it represents "a complete exchange of energy." Other definitions of the symbolism of the lambda include balance or unity. A battle flag with the lamda was carried by the fierce Greek fighters, the Sacred Band of Thebes who marched into battle with their young male lovers.
External links
International Gay Information Center (http://microformguides.gale.com/Data/Introductions/20240FM.htm)
Connnecticut State University Archives (http://wilson.ctstateu.edu/lib/archives/other/GAA.html)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, NYC - photo of GAA meeting 1971 (http://www.gaycenter.org/resources/archive/collection/009)
Jim Owles (http://gaytoday.badpuppy.com/garchive/people/060297pe.htm)
The GayActivistsAlliance was founded in New York City in December 1969 after the Stonewall riots, by dissident members of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) who wanted to form a non-violent "single issue, politically neutral, militant organizaiton" whose goal was to "secure basic human rights, dignity and freedom for all gay people."
The GayActivistsAlliance was most active from 1970 to 1974.
The symbol of the GayActivistsAlliance was the lower case greek letter lambda (λ) taken from physics where it represents "a complete exchange of energy." Other definitions of the symbolism of the lambda include balance or unity.
GAA was incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1974 and later granted tax-exempt status by the IRS.
GAA representatives meet with Mayor Walter Washington and express that their first priority is the appointment of a gay person to the DC Human Rights Commission.
GAA sponsors a demonstration and news conference at Bolling Air Force Base to protest a recent anti-gay witch hunt at the base and the military's continuing policy of discriminating against gay men and lesbians.
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