…Those Who Kicked Down the Doors
What
is a Maximum File?
When
it is possible to keep Gay and Lesbian out of the history books, it is done.
When their accomplishments cannot be overlooked, their sexual orientation is
edited out. A Maximum File is a biographical sketch of a notable gay or lesbian
person in history. References to books, literature and electronic sources are
provided for further research. You can be anybody you want to be.
Willem Arondeus
Freedom fighter with Dutch Resistance during World War II who led an
attack on the population registry that was a vital link in the deportation of
Jewish people in Holland to concentration camps. (posted 9/1/1996)
Audre Lorde
Self described as a "Black lesbian, mother, warrior, poet".
However, the life of the Poet Laureate of New York State was one that could not
be summed up in a phrase. (updated May 19, 2000)
Alan Turing
Pioneer in the development of computer technology, British intelligence
officer during WWII, and the genius who broke the Nazi Enigma code. (updated
May 19, 2000)
Bayard Rustin
The "architect" of the 1963 March on Washington. Martin Luther
King moved the nation with his words, while Rustin moved the civil rights
movement with his organizing skills. (posted 12/1/1996)
Harvey Milk
Openly gay politician who's life story contains victory, tragedy and
drama -- much like the operas that he loved. (posted 1/1/1997)
Perry Watkins
Drafted during the Vietnam War and thrown out of the Army more than a
decade of distinguished service, he fought and won his reinstatement into the
Army. (posted 2/1/1997)
Tom Waddell
Decathlete, doctor, traveler, father and founder of the Gay Games. A
true Olympian, although bigotry limited his use of the "O" word.
(posted 3/1/1997)
Walt Whitman
America's greatest poet was once banned in Boston for his "love of
comrades." Is history repeating itself? (posted 3/30/1997)
Graham Chapman
Monty Python's lone gay member is fondly remembered as a doctor, family
man, and all together silly when he wanted to be. (posted 5/1/1997)
Ma Rainey
Ma Rainey is known as the "Mother of the Blues." Her face is
on a U.S. postage stamp and her name is included in the "early
influence" category of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was also openly
bisexual. (posted 6/1/1997)
Katharine Lee Bates
Oh beautiful for spacious skies . . . America, America, a lesbian wrote
these words. Learn more about the pride of Falmouth, Massachusetts. (posted
7/1/1997)
Glenn Burke
When word spread of Burke's homosexuality, his baseball career dried up.
But history can't deny that he was in "the show," and was in the
starting line up in the 1977 World Series. Think of him the next time you see a
couple of athletes "high fiving." (posted 8/1/1997)
Alexander Hamilton
Regardless of how you interpret Hamilton's love notes to John Laurens,
one thing is sure. The history books give him the "queer treatment"
by avoiding mention of the man's tender affections for some of his
revolutionary comrades. (posted 9/1/1997)
Tennessee Williams
One of America's greatest playwrights was openly gay long before it was
hip, but don't expect your high school text book to mention his partner, Frank
Merlo. (posted 10/1/1997)
Oliver "Billy" Sipple
There is no other way to describe Billy Sipple's actions on September
22, 1975 than "heroic." There is no other way to describe the price
he paid for heroism than "tragic." (posted 11/1/1997)
Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky is known as one of the world's greatest composer. His tragic
life is a textbook example on why repressing ones sexual orientation is a bad
idea. Calling all sugar plum fairies. (posted 12/1/1997)
Emily Dickinson
The words of Emily Dickinson are part of the American culture and
literary heritage. But when her words of love for another woman were found in
her writings, the censor's pen went to work. (posted 1/1/1998)
Barbara Jordan
The life of Barbara Jordan is the stuff to which American civics books
devote chapters. Why is the woman that she shared her life with, and who once
saved her life, overlooked? (posted 2/1/1998)
Sir Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon is known as the father of modern science to the world, and
known to his mother as a man who slept with other men. One of the most notable
men in the history of Western civilization has been closeted by his
biographers. (posted 3/1/1998)
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