Summary
Alternative Name(s): Button
Red badge with butterfly inside triangle, and the inscription 'GAY SOLIDARITY / CHRISTOPHER ST, JUNE '69'. Used in Melbourne circa 1969-1986.
One of a collection of buttons assembled by donor while active in left-wing politics at University of Melbourne 1979-1986. 'Christopher St' refers to a street in New York's Greenwich Village, in which gays and lesbians rioted against police bias and oppression. The fray was centered on the Stonewall Inn. In the wake of the riots the name 'Stonewall' came to symbolize the gay community taking a stand against oppression.
Part of a Museum Victoria collection documenting the material culture of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities in Victoria. In 2005 the Museum joined with the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives and the State Library of Victoria to conducted a survey of GLBT material culture in public and private collections in Victoria. Refer Kate Davison (2006), Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender Material Survey: Project Report 2006.
Physical Description
Circular button. Red background with black ink. Inscription around circumference. Black line drawing symbol in centre depicts a triangle enclosing a butterfly.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mr Bill Watson, 30 Oct 1990
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Place & Date Used
Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1969-1986
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Inscriptions
Printed front, black ink "GAY SOLIDARITY / CHRISTOPHER ST., JUNE '69".
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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overall dimensions
0.5 cm (Depth), 3.7 cm (Outside Diameter)
diameter 3.7cm.
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References
Susan Stryker, 'Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day: 1970', Planet Out.com web site - [Link 1] (accessed 11/4/2005)
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Keywords
Lesbian & Gay, Protest Movements, Making History - Gay & Lesbian Collection