The Gay Liberation Youth Movement in New York

Between 1966 and 1975 North American youth activists established over 35 school- and community-based gay liberation youth groups whose members sought control over their own bodies, education, and sexual and social relations. This book focuses on three groundbreaking New York City groups -- Gay Youth (GY), Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.), and the Gay International Youth Society of George Washington High School (GWHS) -- from the advent of gay liberation in NYC in 1969 to just after its dissolution and the rise of identity politics by 1975. Cohen examines how gay liberation -- with its rejection of stultifying sex roles, attack on institutional oppression, connection between personal and political liberation, celebration of innate androgyny, and resolute anti-war and anti-capitalist stance -- shaped understandings of sexual identity, membership criteria, organization, decision-making, the roles of youth and adults, and efforts to effect social change.

Stephan Cohen received his PhD from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is an Assistant Professor at Lesley College.

Table of Contents Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1: Prior to Gay Liberation Chapter 2: Ideology and Practice Chapter 3: Gay Liberation Shapes Youth Activism Chapter 4: Gay Youth (GY) Chapter 5: Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.) Chapter 6: Gay International Youth Society of George Washington High School Appendix A: Gay Liberation Youth Groups - 1966 to 1975 Appendix B: GAA Petition to Councilwoman Carol Greitzer Appendix C: "IN A WORLD OF DARKNESS" Appendix D: S.T.A.R. Activism Appendix E: GAA-Initiated Intro 475 Fall, 1971 Hearings Broach Transgender Concerns Appendix F: 1973 Christopher Street Liberation Day Appendix G: Chronology of George Washington High School News Coverage Archives Bibliography