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THE FIRST ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY FOR THE GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY

Memorial created by Noreen Dean Dresser


The DAY is to remember all those members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people who have been killed due to their sexuality or gender. This particular memorial work of art was dedicated to those homosexuals who died during the Nazi Era, which was the theme of the 1999 event.


Congressman Jerrold L. Nadler, read a statement into the Congressional Record of the United State House of Representatives, in recognition of the First Annual Memorial Day for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community, Vol. 145, No. 65. To read the text of the statement Click here

Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, also attended the program and a copy of her wonderful and thoughtful speech is available by Clicking Here



The 1999 event was presented by Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST), the International Association of Lesbian and Gay Children of Holocaust Survivors, and the Church of the Holy Apostles in conjunction with:

  • Greater New York Council of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Organizations:

  • JCC - Jewish Community Center
  • Beth Am, the People's Temple
  • Congregation B'nai Jethurun, Gay-Lesbian Committee
  • Congregation Rodeph Sholom, Gay and Lesbian Concerns Committee
  • Gay and Lesbian Yeshiva Day School Alumni Association (GLYDSAA)
  • Greater N.Y. Council of Reform Synagogues, G & L Resource Comm.
  • Jewish Activist Gays and Lesbians (JAGL) Jewish Community Center on the Upper West Side (JCC)
  • New Israel Fund
  • New Jewish Voices
  • Orthodykes
  • Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
  • Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, Gay and Lesbian Inclusion Committee
  • Congregation Beth Simchat Torah

  • Spiritual Rainbow:

  • Metropolitan Community Church of New York
  • Dignity/New York
  • Integrity/New York
  • Maranatha/Riversiders for Gay & Lesbian Concerns (Riverside Church)
  • Gay & Lesbian Catholic Ministry
  • St. Clement's Episcopal Church
  • St. Paul the Apostle Church
  • Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church
  • Al-Fatiha (Muslim Group)
  • Congregation Beth Simchat Torah

  • Jerrold Nadler, US Congressman
  • Alan G. Hevesi, NYC Comptroller
  • C. Virginia Fields, Manhattan Borough President
  • NY State Senator Thomas Duane
  • NY State Assemblyperson Deborah Glick
  • NYC Councilmember Philip Reed
  • NYC Councilmember Margarita Lopez
  • NYC Councilmember Christine Quinn

  • Puffin Foundation
  • NYU Office of LGBT Student Services
  • Columbia Queer Alliance
  • Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CUNY)
  • Stonewall Veterans' Association
  • Anti-Violence Project
  • Brooklyn PFLAG
  • Lesbian Herstory Archives
  • Village Independent Democrats
  • All Out Arts
  • World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Jewish Organizations
  • Lutheran Concerned
  • International Museum of Gay and Lesbian History


THE FIRST MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM INCLUDED:



1. An introduction by Rick Landman, Founder, Int. Ass. of Lesbian & Gay Child. of Holocaust Survivors, CBST Board of Directors and facilitator of the event.

2. A Candle Lighting Ceremony for the GLBT Victims of Hate, led by Rabbi Roderick Young (CBST - Congregation Beth Simchat Torah), Rev. Pat Bumgardner (MCC - Metropolitan Community Church), and Rev. Barry Signorelli (CHA - Church of the Holy Apostles). If you would like to read the prayers which were spoken for remembering those who died Click Here

3. Unveiling of the Memorial for the Persecuted Homosexuals of the Nazi Era, Artist: Noreen Dean Dresser, winner of the Puffin Foundation Ltd. grant. If you want to see the Memorial and read about the art competition and see the other finalist's submissions, Click Here

4. Status Report of other Memorials and Museums around the world which are on the topic of Homosexual Persecution During the Nazi Era Click Here This includes the status of the Memorial at Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, NY Sheepshead Bay

5. A status report on Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's (the film makers who made The Celluloid Closet) new documentary film on PARAGRAPH 175 was discussed. To read about the latest update on their project Click Here

6. Professor John Fout of Bard College discussed Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals - Who lived - Who Died? His book is expected to be released in the year 2000. This page will be updated when the book is released.

7. Conclusion: Discussion on Memorial Day 2000 for the GLBT Community. The Second and Third portions of this webpage will be devoted to this goal.



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