The Pride of Western New York - Erie County

This story's very existence would not have been possible without the courageous LGBT voices that came out to themselves and to others, speaking out against the inequality their community had been facing for centuries. Erie County is proud of its history, including its gay history, but until recent decades, publicly expressing one's sexuality was a crime for unmarried couples, targeting same-sex couples, for acts of pure love, such as holding hands with someone. Even after these discriminatory laws had vanished in the early 1980s, the toxic perceptions of the LGBTQ community from these times remained.

Today, there are many resources available to us as a community of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders, Queers, and Questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. Among these, is one of the most extensive archive collections in the nation for the LGBT community, its history, its formation, and its ongoing resistance to oppressive forces. The Madeline Davis Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Archives of Western New York is named in honor of Dr. Madeline Davis, not only for her dedication to the formation of the archives collection, which began in her basement and now resides at Buffalo State College, but equally as much, for building a unified LGBTQ+ network in Erie County that is recognized across New York State and nation-wide.

I was inspired by a 2004  interview  with Davis about the process of building the archives collection. She was asked about the expansion of the archives to include other areas in Upstate and Western New York, such as Rochester. The collection welcomes content from neighboring areas, like Jamestown and Olean, however, Davis believes "Rochester is too far away and has a unique history of its own to collect. Therefore, I would encourage those in Rochester who don’t want to lose a wonderful history to begin a Rochester and environs Archive. I would be willing to speak to those who might wish to start such a project and help spur them on to create a Rochester Archive." As a Rochester native, a student at Buffalo State, and a member of the LGBT community, with a shared passion for history and human rights advocacy, I felt a sense of urgency to connect with her about the process of creating such a unique collection. I wanted to learn more about how to develop a similar archive for Rochester, NY, and ultimately, grow a larger network across the state of New York. Unfortunately, I received the news that Dr. Madeline Davis has passed away since the start of this project, before I had the opportunity to meet her. However, her passion for life and equality has deeply resonated with me, and I hope this shared passion can make a difference in the future of the LGBTQ community in Western New York. Like Dr. Madeline Davis, I hope to inspire others to be proud of who they are, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or race.

Before the 1900s, homosexual men were often referred to as "male-sex perverts," and the term “homosexual” was not commonly used until the 1920s and after. The late 1800s was a turning point in American history, when homosexuals and transgender people began to express themselves more openly, especially in larger cities, like New York City and San Francisco. In 1869, 100 years before the stonewall riots, a black fraternal organization called Hamilton Lodge organized its first masquerade ball in Harlem, New York. This drag-ball brought people of all demographics together, and by the 1920s height of prohibition, it had more than 7,000 people in attendance.

This was essentially one of America's first gay clubs, as drag performances and homosexuality went against social norms and values in American society for much of its history, especially prior to the roaring twenties. Overall, the early 1900s were very liberal times in terms of social and economic policies and morals, which was conducive to the growth and development of the LGBTQ+ community as a unified group. However, this progressive period came to an abrupt halt with the Great depression and the onset of World War II, which devastated the societal progress that had been made. By the 1950's, McCarthyism led to the investigation of homosexuals as a potential "threat to national security," primarily their gathering spots, which continued to be watering holes since prohibition. The 60s and 70s were monumental for Erie County's LGBTQ community, as this was the stonewall era, which marks the beginning of the end of an era of intolerance. In the 1990s, significant progress had been made, such as domestic partnerships and marriages being legalized in some jurisdictions, however, it was not until 2011 that same-sex marriage was legalized state-wide across New York, and not until June 2015 (only 6 years ago!) that these rights were protected in all 50 states, when all state bans of same-sex marriage licenses were outlawed. 

Starting in the roaring twenties, the United States began to become more liberal in social values, allowing for more adventurous, "non-traditional" behavior. With prohibition, came the culture of bootlegging and speakeasies, which were illegal gathering spots for the consumption of alcohol. As these illegal, yet highly demanded, drinking spots became more common, these groups of people became more exclusive, as there was a general fear of being persecuted for illegal production and consumption. This was a time when people across all demographics were inter-mingling, accepting each other's differences, and co-existing within speakeasies, as all parties were equally guilty. As these clubs each developed their own character, many LGBT individuals found they could openly express themselves without as much worry. In 1924, the first documented gay rights organization in the nation was formed but was forced to disband by 1925. With the blending of different types of people, social classes, in conjunction with the booming economy of the 20s and the rise of moving pictures, drag performances and the arts became a common form of entertainment for gay and straight people. Sadly, the great depression reversed much of this progress, as society began to fault the progressive values and loose morals of the 1920s for the collapse. 

After prohibition had ended, LGBT-oriented speakeasies remained; drinking had become legal again in 1933, but it was still highly illegal for two consenting adults of the same sex to engage in sexual relations, hold hands, kiss, or slow dance until 1980. Homosexuals could spend up to 20 years in prison for engaging in same-sex relationships openly. It was also illegal to serve alcohol to people who were openly gay, or suspected to be, until the late 1960s, when human rights organizations fought back, overturning the rule held by the New York State Liquor Authority. Even then, these venues continue to face discrimination and harassment from many groups and individuals and were targeted by police frequently. For these reasons, many LGBTQ people have continued to live in fear of discrimination and harassment, and the term “in the closet” still applies to many LGBTQ youth and adults, who have been scarred by the burns of intolerance and hate that prevailed in society.

Erie County has served as a progressive role-model for many of the first LGBTQ communities to develop in smaller cities and rural areas. Beyond the major movements that had been happening in large urban centers, there had been virtually no community formation in these places that so many of us call home. Among the larger cities like New York and Chicago, which had each already established their own chapters of an alliance group called "The Mattachine Society," Buffalo was among the first of smaller cities to gain enough members to start its own chapter. Take a historic bar-hop through Erie County's 20th century gay clubs to see how this community of "delinquents" would form, collectively advocate for their rights to gather and exist freely, and form the Mattachine Society of the Buffalo-Niagara Frontier.

Line 1: Picture from the first Gay Alliance meeting, held on a Saturday morning, Dinner, Erie County's First Gay Protest March on Delaware Ave, Madeline Davis at First Protest March.

Line 2: Construction at the Gay Community Center (1973), At the Gay Community Center (1975), Mattachine meeting, held at the Unitarian church, Upstate New York at NYC Pride (1975).

Line 3: Upstate New York at NYC Pride (1975), Mattachine Picnic (1976), Take Back the Night March (likely 1980).

Use the map below to locate and read about all that Erie County has to offer its LGBTQ+ community and its allies. From entertainment venues, to mental and sexual health resources, Erie County has an expansive network that continues to grow and become stronger. Youth like Leslie Feinberg, author of Stone Butch Blues, who had to runaway from home at the age of 14, is one of many LGBT people who had to grow up too quickly. Today, the resources available to LGBTQ youth can be found far and wide, thanks to those brave individuals who rioted, didn't take no for an answer, and demanded equality in society, despite the high stakes. Erie County today has a wide network of services, such as homeless shelters and assistance for LGBT youth, legal services, LGBT-friendly businesses, and much more! Gay culture remains significantly bar-focused today; however, there are many organizations within the community that offer specialized services for exploited members of the LGBT community. These range from sexual, physical, and mental health services, to housing for homeless youth, legal aid, financial assistance, and socio-political advocacy. Links can be found below: Click on the the map below to search places in Erie County and be sure to check out the links provided in the descriptions and at the bottom of this page!

The limited history that has been passed down within the community has been well-documented thanks to the pioneers who so bravely subjected themselves to unfair and even brutal treatment, so that the community can exist as equals in society today. The importance of being loud and proud cannot be any greater. Pride today is a celebration of how far we have come, but it also serves as a reminder to us that there will always be acts of intolerance, and we must not accept them. 

Haven House has LGBTQ+ affirming counselors who will counsel anyone regardless of gender identity. If you are a victim of intimate partner violence, please contact Haven House's 24 -Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at (716)-884-6000.

• 24 hour phone counseling and support
• Case Management for survivors of domestic violence, elder abuse, rape/sexual assault
• Individual and group therapy
• Court advocacy
• Information & Referrals