Happy Pride!
To mark the occasion, ARTXV will be shining a light on and celebrating the intersectionality of the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities. Historically, the disabled rights movement has been pioneered to a great extent by lesbians, supported by queer allies and incorporated into gay rights movements by transgender activists and drag queens.
Sharing a common fight for basic human rights including healthcare, housing, employment and societal inclusion, these groups demonstrated the true power of community and defiance during the late 20th century:
The Brick Hut Cafe
The Brick Hut Cafe was a lesbian co-op in Berkeley, CA, running from 1975-1997 (nearly 22 years). It served as a cafe for all community members and allies, an information centre for activists and a safe haven for the whole community.
"We welcomed everyone who was an ally in our common cause of
social justice and inclusion."
- Sharon Davenport, founder of The Brick Hut Cafe
"We were a haven for lesbians and gay men, an information center for LGBT activists, an anchor for a diverse community that included working girls, bad-boys, suburban queens, transmen and transwomen. We were the Dyke Diner: the Lesbian Luncheonette: the Chick Hut: the Brick Hug. When AIDS hit a group of customers affectionately named the Shattuck Street Fairies (SSF) we became a refuge and an information outlet for AIDS awareness.
Sometimes we were the last stop: as when Ron, one of the SSF housemates, was lovingly carried in on the arms of his friends for his last Brick Hut meal."
- Sharon Davenport
The Brick Hut Cafe extended their community work beyond the cafe, and beyond the LGBTQIA+ community. They closed the cafe frequently to attend protests, demonstrations, rallies and parades, with a sign on the door saying "JOIN US". These rallies weren't limited to those for the LGBTQIA+ community, but extended to anti-nuclear, anti-war, feminist and disability rights events.
Notably, they supported disabled protestors during the historic 504 Sit-in, bringing cooked meals to the protestors along with the Black Panthers, enabling the protest to go on for as long as it did (26 days: the longest peaceful occupation of a federal building in US history!). This protest ultimately led to the signing of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in programs or activities that receive federal funding.
Hear from the protestors themselves about being supported with cooked meals:
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