Homecoming Queens: The Gay Youth/GLYNY Reunion

We all came home this last weekend. The very first members of Gay Youth in 1969, members of GLYNY from the mid 80s, members of BiGLYNY from the late 80s, and even members of BiGLYTNY from the 90s. It didn’t matter what the acronym was — everyone in room 301 of the LGBT Center had been involved in this constantly transforming queer youth organization. And now, for the first time since it was founded 37 years ago, people from every generation were in one room together celebrating our shared experience, even though most of us had not been members at the same time.

Like a reunion from a fraternity (or sorority, or…well here language breaks down) where members come back to the school to celebrate their shared experience across generations, we followed important rituals.

Of course, my old friend and fellow alum Alan Gomberg (1973-77) suggested we all wear sashes, like the girls in Follies descending the staircase. Alum Michale Knowles, who worked the Follies revival on Broadway wore his Follies jacket — a sly wink to the nature of the experience. No, don’t look at me, please, not just yet. Why was I there? Was I crazy? No. It was an amazing experience.

After an eloquently moving welcome speech from the new Board of Directors Chair, Tom Approbato, there was a benediction from our member rabbi, Shoshana Phoenixx-Dawn, blessing those assembled and remembering those we have lost. And then we were all finally able to answer the question “who’s your daddy.” Because the man who was there to start it all in 1969, Mark Segal, the publisher of Philadelphia Gay News and founder of GYNY, was introduced. His speech was short.  And filled with gratitude and wonder at the many lives this organization has touched.

Then we did what we did at every meeting, no matter what decade it was. We all went around in a circle an introduced ourselves. With just about 100 people there, it took almost two hours. But there was never a dull moment — because our stories are the stories of the LGBT movement itself. From those of us who went on to make activism our life’s work, to those whose daily lives as out proud queer folk was the stuff everyday heroism.

And half way round the circle one member gave Mark Segal the gift of spiritual fatherhood. He said that the week Mark founded the group in August 1969 was the week he was born. Gratitude.

We all felt it. And we all felt a desire to give back. A constitution was ratified for this new alumni organization: GLYNY Again. A board of directors was elected (and I am both proud and grateful to be on this board). And then when the discussion went to how we could give back to our community by supporting today’s youth, Shoshana spontaneously passed the hat, saying that if everyone gave $5 we’d have a start toward a scholarship fund for a young queer student.

When the funds were counted, John Chiafalo — who was the 4th Chair of GY in 1973, after me (I was second, right after Mark Segal) and Bill Agress (he was my first serious boyfriend and 3rd Chair for a very brief time after me) — made a Truth or Dare kind of offer to double the pot. And the dare was taken. I won’t tell you what happened, since this was a closed circle, but I will say it was as wild and funny and sacred an act as has ever happened at a GY/GLYNY meeting. Our hearts were already open, so that the laughter and love at that moment was truly heart felt.

Peter Morley gave the closing remarks, capturing all the feeling in the room and reflecting the love back at all of us. And then we headed up to Bamboo 52, where owner John Greco, was sponsoring our event with a catered party that went on for hours. Between the meeting, starting at 3pm, and the party, which finished after 10pm, we were all very tired and happy former youth.

The entire day was recorded on video — a powerful record for those who come after of the strength we give each other in community across generations.

Now the work begins: the new GLYNY Again board will start considering the ways in which this organization will work to support today’s queer youth, and how we can support each other as alums (because I don’t want to gender the word).

Comments

[Amark]

"Four chairs in search of a table. - ROFL.

[Fred Vaughn]

You documented the flavor of the day pretty damned well, Mark. I really appreciated the participation of you and all of the elders (at least to young little me)