(hello@makinggayhistory.org)

I’ve always wondered how the founders of the Mattachine Society believed against all odds that they could make the world a better place for themselves and the generations to follow. But clearly they did. Their optimism shines bright in their young (to me!) faces at their first Christmas celebration in 1951. Pictured in the photo above, from left to right: Konrad Stevens (back of head), Dale Jennings (in profile), Harry Hay, Rudi Gernreich, Stan Witt, Bob Hull, Chuck Rowland (in glasses), and Paul Bernhard. Credit: © John Gruber.
To hear Chuck Rowland’s MGH podcast episode, click here. To hear Harry Hay’s episode, click here.