Research Catalog

Storḿé DeLarveríé papers

Title
Storḿé DeLarveríé papers, 1980-2014
Author
DeLarverié, Stormé, 1920-2014.

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4 Items

StatusContainerFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Box 2Mixed materialUse in library SC MG 901 Box 2Schomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives
Box 3Mixed materialUse in library SC MG 901 Box 3Schomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives
Box 4Mixed materialUse in library SC MG 901 Box 4Schomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives
Box 1Mixed materialUse in library Sc MG 901 Box 1Schomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives

Details

Description
4 linear feet (4 boxes)
Summary
The Stormé Delaverie Collection documents DeLarverié's long career as a singer, male impersonator, and gay rights activist from the 1980s to 2008. The bulk of the collection contains personal and professional correspondence, biographical information, her passport, death certificate and funeral arrangements. Promotional material of DeLarverié's career including journals, programs and flyers of her performances in the Jewel Box Revue, newspapers clippings and reviews, is also found here. Personal items such as her leather jacket and helmet, as well as a trophy and plaques she received in recognition of her efforts in the LGBT community are included in the collection.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Programs.
  • Clippings.
  • Fliers.
  • Reviews.
Source (note)
  • Lisa Cannistraci and Michele Zalopany
Biography (note)
  • Stormé DeLarverié was born on December 24, 1920, in New Orleans, Louisiana to an African American mother and a white father. She is known for being a singer, male impersonator, bouncer, and gay rights activist.
  • From the mid-1950 through the 1960's DeLarverié was the master of ceremonies of the Jewel Box Revue, America's first racially inclusive traveling revue of impersonators. The show was called "25 Men and 1 Girl," as DeLarverié dressed as a man and the rest of the cast members, all men, dressed as women. She is one of the most successful male impersonator and drag kings of her day and a prized performer. On June 28, 1969, DeLarverié's name would become legendary to the gay community. At fifty years old, she is credited as having thrown the first punch against a policeman as they raided the Stonewall Inn, sparking a riot and igniting the modern gay rights movement. DeLaverié's role in the movement lasted long after 1969. For decades, she was a self-appointed guardian and supporter of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. She was a member of the Stonewall Veterans' Association, holding the offices of Chief of Security, Ambassador, and in 1998 through 2000 she was the Vice President. DeLarverié was well-known in the community and participated in the annual New York City Gay Pride Parade with the Stonewall Veterans and "Stormé's baby", the historic 1969 Cadillac convertible, the "Stonewall Car". In 2000, DeLarverié received a "Gay Lifetime Achievement Award" from Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE). Often referred to as the "Rosa Parks" of the gay rights movement, DeLarverié was a fierce woman and advocate who stood up for the LGBT community on countless occasions. On May 24, 2014, she passed away in her sleep from a heart attack at the age of 93.
Call Number
Sc MG 901
OCLC
971257167
Author
DeLarverié, Stormé, 1920-2014.
Title
Storḿé DeLarveríé papers, 1980-2014
Type of Content
text
Type of Medium
unmediated
Type of Carrier
sheet
volume
Biography
Stormé DeLarverié was born on December 24, 1920, in New Orleans, Louisiana to an African American mother and a white father. She is known for being a singer, male impersonator, bouncer, and gay rights activist.
From the mid-1950 through the 1960's DeLarverié was the master of ceremonies of the Jewel Box Revue, America's first racially inclusive traveling revue of impersonators. The show was called "25 Men and 1 Girl," as DeLarverié dressed as a man and the rest of the cast members, all men, dressed as women. She is one of the most successful male impersonator and drag kings of her day and a prized performer. On June 28, 1969, DeLarverié's name would become legendary to the gay community. At fifty years old, she is credited as having thrown the first punch against a policeman as they raided the Stonewall Inn, sparking a riot and igniting the modern gay rights movement. DeLaverié's role in the movement lasted long after 1969. For decades, she was a self-appointed guardian and supporter of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. She was a member of the Stonewall Veterans' Association, holding the offices of Chief of Security, Ambassador, and in 1998 through 2000 she was the Vice President. DeLarverié was well-known in the community and participated in the annual New York City Gay Pride Parade with the Stonewall Veterans and "Stormé's baby", the historic 1969 Cadillac convertible, the "Stonewall Car". In 2000, DeLarverié received a "Gay Lifetime Achievement Award" from Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE). Often referred to as the "Rosa Parks" of the gay rights movement, DeLarverié was a fierce woman and advocate who stood up for the LGBT community on countless occasions. On May 24, 2014, she passed away in her sleep from a heart attack at the age of 93.
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Finding Aid
Local Subject
Black author.
Research Call Number
Sc MG 901
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