Here Because We're Queer: Inside the Gay Liberation Front of Washington, D.C., 1970-72

By: Brian Miller

A year after the Stonewall riots in New York, the Gay Liberation Front of Washington, D.C., held its first meeting on June 30, 1970. GLF-DC's activities included protests, publications and communal living experiments. Although the group faded quickly, in part because of disorganization and divisiveness about goals, activities and actions, its attendees established openly gay community organizations, including some long-lasting institutions in Washington-Capital Pride, Whitman-Walker Health, the Metropolitan Community Church and Lambda Rising bookstore. This book is based on interviews with more than 50 participants. The first chapter describes Washington in the Mattachine Society era, before GLF.