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Czezre Adams, a young man wearing a suit and blue tie, stands on the steps in front of a building.

Czezre Adams

Czezre Tyrell Adams known to many as "Porkchop" was born on August 8, 1989 to Angenette Ellis-Harper and Alvin Adams. Raised on High Street, Czezre attended community schools such as Sherman Preschool, Quitman St, and Louise A.

Amina Baraka, an older woman with gray hair pulled back, wearing a gray shirt and a blue scarf, stands with her right hand on her heart and her left hand outstretched toward the camera.

Amina Baraka

Born Sylvia Robinson, born 1942, in Charlotte, North Carolina – multi-talented artist (dancer, actress, singer/poet, and political activist).

Michael Bronski, wearing a black shirt, poses in front of a bookshelf.

Michael Bronski

Michael Bronski is an independent scholar, journalist, and writer who has been involved in social justice movements since the 1960s. He has been active in gay liberation as a political organizer, writer, editor, publisher and theorist since 1969. He is the author of numerous books.

Venice brown, wearing a gray shirt and jacket, stands looking seriously at the camera. Her long black hair blows behind her in the wind.

Venice Brown

Venice Brown earned her GED from Cape Fear Community College. She received her Cosmetology License from the College of Wilmington, North Carolina where she lives and works part-time at a hair salon and at Cape Fear College.

John Calendo, a man with a button down shirt and oval glasses, looks seriously at the camera. The photo looks modern but is in black and white.

John Calendo

John Calendo (b. 1948) has led a rich, full life, in which Newark entered the picture late and in somewhat marginal fashion.

Joseph Canarelli, a balding man with glasses, wearing a pink shirt, stands in front of a window. There are photos of a dog and a man on the wall next to him.

Joseph Canarelli

Joseph Canarelli was born and lived in Newark from 1949 through the mid-70’s. A student at Rutgers Newark in the late 60’s – early 70’s, he feels fortunate to have been on campus—and come out—during a period of much political activism and cultural change.

Marina Carreira, who has shoulder length wavy hair, a tank top, and tattoos on her arms, looks at the camera and looks as though she is laughing. The photo looks modern but is in black and white.

Marina Carreira

Marina Carreira is a queer Luso-American multidisciplinary artist from Newark, NJ. She holds a BA in English from Montclair State University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Rutgers University.

Bob Cartwright, an older man with white hair and a beard, sits in a chair. He is wearing a blue shirt and baseball cap and is seated in front of a brown wooden wall with carvings.

Bob Cartwright

Louie Crew Clay, a balding older man with glasses and a pink feather boa, is seated indoors.

Louie Crew Clay

Louie Crew Clay is a pioneering activist who founded the gay Episcopal group Integrity USA in 1974 and co-founded the LGBT caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English in 1975, among numerous other achievements.

Bill Courson, a balding older man with round glasses wearing a green sweater and turquoise collar, smiles at the camera. He is seated in front of a bookshelf.

William Courson

Bill Courson was born and raised at the Jersey shore (his hometown is Avon by the Sea) and relocated to and has lived in Montclair, NJ since from 1978.

James Credle, a Black man wearing a blue head covering and striped shirt, looks seriously at the camera. His hands are folded. He is wearing glasses.

James Credle

photo of Gwen Davis in blue blouse smiling

Gwendolyn (Gwen) Davis

Gwendolyn (Gwen) Davis was born in Washington, Pennsylvania in 1939 and was raised by her grandmother in a suburb of Washington called Lincoln Hill until her grandmother’s death. Davis spent the rest of her childhood and adulthood with her parents in Newark, where she eventually became a nurse.

Dana Davis, wearing a purple tank top, sits in a white chair against a gray background smiling at the camera.

Dana Davis

Dana Davis is a leadership expert, professional development coach, and multi-award winning speaker, producer, and TV host of The Refresh with Dana Show available on ZondraTV. Dana’s show brings a “refreshing” approach to the talk show arena that features entrepreneurs and experts whose services or

Sharon Davis in a black blazer seated in front of gold balloons

Sharon Denise Davis

Sharon D. Davis is butch identified. The middle daughter of 5 girls and 3 boys. Mother Marion was a Homemaker and my Father George was a Machine Operator.

Alisha Day

Alisha Day is a Fabulous Drag performer born in Newark, NJ. She is an essential worker by day, working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By night she is a fabulous drag queen. Alisha is known for her high energy performances and fabulous hosting.

Kysheif DeGraffenreid, who has short black hair, stands outside on a street and smiles at the camera.

Kysheif DeGraffenreid

Kysheif DeGraffenreid was born and raised in Newark, NJ attending some of the finest schools from St. Benedicts to Montclair State University earning a Bachelors in Sociology. His academic career has led him to provide mental health counseling to many of his peers in the neighborhood.

Anita Dickens, who has her hair in a bun and is wearing jeans, a blouse, and a blazer, poses in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Anita Dickens

Anita Dickens was born and raised in Newark, NJ 1972. She graduated from West Side High School and went on to receive an Associate’s in Science from Essex County College, a BA in Science from New Jersey City University and a Masters in Public Affairs and Administration from Rutgers-Newark.

Photo of Ulysses in a red pullover smiling forward

Ulysses Dietz

Ulysses Grant Dietz served as curator of Decorative Arts at The Newark Museum from 1980 until 2017, and was appointed Chief Curator in 2012.

Blair Walter, who has short brown hair and glasses, is crouched next to video recording equipment.

blair dorosh-walther

Director and Producer, blair dorosh-walther identifies as gender non-conforming and uses both male and female pronouns, is a social issue documentary director, experienced production designer, and artist with a passion for inspiring action for social justice through media.

June Dowell Burton, wearing a brightly colored shirt, smiles at the camera with her hands folded. She is wearing a large circular ring and has short hair.

June Dowell-Burton

June Dowell-Burton is the founder and an executive board member of Newark Gay Pride, Inc., a LGBT community-based, volunteer run organization that works to enhance LGBTQ life by producing an annual Gay Pride Week and facilitating programming in Newark, New Jersey.

Fredi Dworkin

Fredi grew up in the 60s in Newark, the kid of two community activists. She now lives in Boston - a happy radical feminist, elder lesbian and proud Jewish activist for righteous justice for Palestinians!

Brian Epps, wearing a black jacket, white shirt, and gold necklace, looks seriously at the camera. He holds his hands together.

Bryan Epps

Bryan Matthew Charles Epps is a policy wonk and community lover. He has worked for Mayor’s Cory A. Booker and Michael Bloomberg conducting outreach and training to the not-for-profit sector and performance management for city departments.

Tamara Fleming, who has her hair in a bun, smiles at the camera. She is wearing a blue and white dress and a necklace.

Tamara Fleming

Tamara Fleming is a creative powerhouse and co-founder of FEMWORKS, an award winning marketing communications firm that specializes in helping businesses to engage consumers in multicultural markets.

Marleny Franco, who has short brown hair and is wearing a sweater, poses leaning against a counter.

Marleny Franco

Miriam Frank, an older woman with short hair and glasses, poses outdoors. The photo looks modern but is black and white.

Miriam Frank

Miriam Frank grew up in Newark during the 1950s. She retired from fulltime teaching at NYU in 2014 where she is currently Adjunct Professor of Humanities.

Aaron Frazier stands outdoors in front of a tree. He is smiling and wearing a suit and winter coat.

Aaron Frazier

Rodney Gilbert, wearing a plaid shirt and a black jacket, poses with his hand on his chin.

Rodney Gilbert

Rodney Gilbert (July 27, 1967 - November 8, 2017) was the founder and CEO of Yendor Productions, a Newark-based firm that consults, develops, and produces arts education programming and events.

Photo of Carol Glassman, a young woman with short dark hair wearing a button on her chest. She has a serious expression.

Carol Glassman

Carol Glassman was born in Brooklyn in 1942 to a first-generation large Jewish immigrant family. She went to public school and then Smith College, where she got involved with the student movement that became known as the New Left.

Erica Harrison, a Black woman with a shaved head a large Black glasses. She is wearing earrings and a black shirt and is seated in a living room with a couch in the background.

Erica Harrison

My name is Erica D.Harrison aka Ricky aka Ms.Erica. I was born and raised in Harlem New York.I will always cherish the sweet memories of going to the famous Apollo Theater as a child. I would see every artist from James Brown to the complete Motown Review...all for $.90!

Tom Hayden, a young man with dark hair with a serious expression and wearing a white t-shirt.

Tom Hayden

Tom Hayden (1939-2016) was a major figure in the New Left of the 1960s.

Photo of Andrea Hayward, who has short dark hair and is similing. She is wearing a dark gray blazer over a white shirt, earrings, a necklace, and a watch.

Andrea Hayward

A retired transportation industry executive with more than 31 years of experience including strategic planning and implementation, supply chain management and general management for large corporation, Andrea Hayward is a dynamic and innovative executive with a comprehensive background leading large

Alicia Heath-Toby, a woman with short hair wearing a suit and a watch.

Alicia Heath-Toby

C. Alicia Heath-Toby resides in Newark, NJ with her wife, Saundra ‘Honei’. She is the current board president of the Newark LGBTQ Community Center Board of Directors. In 1984 she received her Bachelor of Arts from the College of the Holy Cross.

Photo of two women wearing tank tops and jeans standing on a street holding drums.

Yvonne Hernandez

Native born. Yvonne Hernandez is an actress, director and writer. Her plays have been produced and performed at The Manhattan Repertory Theatre and The Elektra Theatre in Times Square. She has written a book titled, Queer Monologues & Short Plays.

Renata Hill, a Black woman wearing a blue shirt, black best, and red baseball cap turned backwards, smiles against a blurred outdoor background.

Renata Hill

Renata Hill is currently a full-time student on the path to earn an Associates degree in Human Services at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and will then work to get her master’s degree in Social Work.

Denise Hinds, a Black woman, smiles in front of a yellow wall with a framed art piece. She is wearing a black blazer, white button down shirt, and purple bow tie.

Denise Hinds

Denise Hinds is the Chief Program Officer for Youth and Family Wellbeing at Good Shepherd Services, where she oversees the agency’s foster care programs, child welfare, and juvenile justice residential programs, supportive housing and other pro

Jacquelyn Hollard, a woman with short hair and rectangular black glasses, smiles in front of a gray background. She is wearing a brown blazer and white button down shirt.

BP Jacquelyn D. Holland

Janyce Jackson Jones, a woman with short gray hair, smiles in front of a white background. She is wearing a magenta scarf and earrings.

Janyce Jackson Jones

Reverend Janyce Jackson Jones, a prominent and respected leader in the community retired after 21 years of dedicated service to her church and to social justice in the city of Newark.

John, a young man, stands in front of a car wearing tan pants and a white shirt. it is an old photo.

* John

John (b.1938) grew up in North Newark, in an Irish Catholic family.

Patreese Johnson, a woman with a ponytail, is wearing a green shirt and standing in front of a blurred city skyline.

Patreese Johnson

Patreese Johnson is a femme-identified poet. She is the youngest of four brothers and one sister, and she grew up as the youngest on the block in her tight-knit community in Newark, New Jersey. She is fiercely empathetic with a big heart.

Elizabeth Kaeton

The Reverend Dr. Elizabeth Kaeton first came to Newark in 1991 as Vicar of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church and Executive Director of St. Barnabas AIDS Resource Center.

Arnie Kantrowitz, a white man wearing a suit and black rectangular glasses.

Arnie Kantrowitz

Lynette Lashawn, a Black woman wearing a pink suit, stands in front of a pink wall.

Lynette Lashawn

THE BEGINNING

* Lovari

Born and raised in Queens, and now a resident of Newark, singer/actor Lovari has released his new album "The Rhythm Of Life" (currently on Amazon's Bestseller Soul Chart).

Larry Lyons, a Black man with a beard wearing a checkered shirt, smiling.

Larry Lyons

Larry Lyons has lectured and taught courses in 20th Century American literature, sociology and composition at Rutgers and Princeton University.

Steven Malick, a man smiling wearing a suit and striped tie and black rectangular glasses.

Steven Malick

Steven Malick serves as the secretary of the Board of Directors for the Newark LGBTQ Community Center. He previously volunteered with the Newark LGBTQ Concerns Advisory Commission and helped to organize the first ever town hall debate on issues relevant to the LGBTQ community.

Gail Malmgreen, a woman with round white glasses, a green turtleneck, and a purple scarf and sweater, and short blond hair.

Gail Malmgreen

Gail Malmgreen (b.1942) grew up mostly in Weequahic, where her parents were active in Left politics.

Jasmine Mans against a background of leaves. Her hand is on her chin. She is wearing dark turquoise ppants and a lighter turquoise shirt.

Jasmine Mans

Jasmine Mans is an artist who calls Newark her home and celebrates the childhood she there spent through her poetry.

Aleix Martinez, smiling at the camera. He is bald and wearing a black shirt. He is posing in front of an art piece of a young Black person with an Afro.

Aleix Martinez

Bernie McAllister, looking seriously at the camera with his hand near his chin.

Bernard McAllister

Bernard "Bernie Jourdan Ebony" McAllister was born and raised in the city of Newark. He is the second of two children born to a single mother. He was raised by an extended family of grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many others who helped mold him into the man he would later become.

Peggie Miller, smiling and wearing a blue head covering, a white shirt, and a navy vest.

Peggie Miller

My name is Peggie Miller. Living the majority of my life as a butch woman, I noticed how we tend to live in the shadows, usually among our own exclusively.

Jerri Mitchell-Lee, a woman smiling with a shaved head, earrings, wearing a reverend's collar and a red ribbon on her chest.

Jerri Mitchell-Lee

Reverend Jerri Mitchell-Lee is a native of Brooklyn, New York. As the daughter of a Career Army Officer she has lived all across the United States and has been a long time resident of New Jersey.

Darnell Moore, a man with a beard wearing a suit looking at the camera with a serious expression.

Darnell L. Moore

Juliana Moores, smiling at the camera wearing a yellow shirt. She has long blond hair and is waering bright sparkly makeup.

Juliana Moraes

Bio forthcoming.

photo of Andrew Moreira in a gray pullover smiling forward

Andrew Moreira

Andrew Santos Moreira is a proud First Generation of Brazilian descent and New Jersey native. As an undergrad at Rutgers-Newark, Andrew served as Co-President to his campus’ only LGBTQIA+ student organization, RU Pride.

Eyricka Morgan, a young Black woman with long black hair. She is wearing a necklace, a purple sleeveless dress, and holding a bouquet of flowers.

Eyricka Morgan

Eyricka Morgan (1987-2013) was one of the amazing speakers on the "Queer Newarkers: The 21st Century Generation" panel of Queer Newark's first conference, Queer Newa

Bert Mrozik, posing on a desk in a government building. He is wearing dress pants, a dress shirt, a tie, and black rectangular glasses, and he is bald.

Albert Mrozik

Albert J. Mrozik Jr. (“Bert”) is a proud member of the LGBTQ community, who has been instrumental in the fight for LGBTQ rights in New York and New Jersey. A graduate of Columbia College, he received his law degree from the University of Denver.

Laquetta Nelson

Laquetta Nelson

Laquetta Nelson, a longtime gay rights activist, established the Newark Pride Alliance to fight for safe spaces after the tragic murder of Sakia Gunn in 2003.

Walter Newkirk, a man with dark hair and a mustache, is wearing a suit and tie and smiling at the camera. He is posing with a woman who is holding a book. The photo is black and white.

Walter Newkirk

Walter Newkirk owns Walter Newkirk Public Relations LLC. A graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick NJ, Mr. Newkirk was the first openly gay Arts Editor of The Rutgers Daily Targum, the daily newspaper on the New Brunswick campus from 1975-1976.

Tracey Africa in a Nice n Easy ad. She has shoulder length hair and is wearing a white shirt.

Tracey Africa Norman

In 2017 the name Tracey Africa Norman has become synonymous with terms like “full circle and comeback kid”. Tracey's modeling career got started, all because she was in the wrong place, at the right time.

Leslie Oliver

Rev. Leslie Oliver hails from 4 generations of preachers and worship leaders. Born in Newark, N.J., she holds a B.A. in English from Rutgers University, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Full Sail University. and a M.Div in Pastoral Care from Union Presbyterian Seminary.

Tiney, wearing a bright green shirt and a backward baseball cap, poses by a stack of rainbow balloons at a pride parade.

Tiney Pringle

Tiney Pringle was born and raised in Newark. In her oral history, she discusses growing up butch in the city, including touring with a basketball team of all self-identified butch players in and around the tri-state area.

The Proctor Family: a standing man wearing a white shirt, a standing woman wearing blue and white, a seated woman wearing black, and a standing man wearing yellow, posing inside a home.

Raymond Proctor (Family...

Raymond Proctor (1934-1988) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and after high school moved to New York City, following h

Angie Raine, a woman wearing a black and white dress and an orange necklace, smiling into the camera

Angela Raine

Angela Raine was born and raised in Newark, after her parents moved up from the South. The last of six children, she attended Central High School and worked in various agencies in Newark doing HIV prevention and establishing transgender support groups.

Donald Ransom, a Black man, in robe.

Donald Ransom

Since arriving in Newark in the early 1980s, Rev. Don Ransom has worked in the fields of substance abuse and recovery, as well as HIV prevention and education.

Pucci Revlon, wearing a floral dress and earrings, looks into the camera. She appears to be outside. The photo is old.

Pucci Revlon

Lioniemar Reyes smiling at the camera. She is wearing black.

Lioniemar Reyes

Lioniemar Reyes, Lily, is a peace love and positivity, protector of individuality, energetic soul. She is a 90's baby who grew up in Newark, New Jersey. She and her brother were raised by two proud and hardworking Puerto Rican parents. She attended Middle School and High School at North Start A

Photo of Darryl Rochester by Tamara Fleming taken at Sanctuary Panel in 2014

Darryl Rochester

Julio Roman, who has a beard and is wearing a suit and tie with a rainbow pocket square, crosses his arms and looks into the camera looking serious.

Julio Roman

At the age of sixteen, Safe Space Expert and LGBTQIA+ Rights Advocate, Julio C. Roman, accepted his calling in LGBTQIA+ activism and safe space design.

Morgan Royel, who has short dark hair and is wearing a dark colored dress and metallic earrings, smiles at the camera against a black and white background.

Morgan Royel

*Morgan Roy'el's transcript under review

Peter Savastano, wearing a gray blazer and dark purple button down shirt, smiles at the camera. He is bald and is wearing glasses.

Peter Savastano

Douglas Says, who is shirtless, poses with his hands crossed in front of his mouth.

Douglas Says

There’s an impressive résumé attached to the name Douglas Says, which includes working with a list of celebrity photographers such as; Mike Ruiz, Fadil Berisha, Alex Chatelain, Ghillian Lewin, Marc Baptiste, Dah Len, Keith Major

photo of deion session in a blue shirt smiling

Deion Session

Deion Amar “Dee Amar” Session. I rep Newark for life. Rutgers University: Newark. Unapologetically Black & Queer. Live your truth!

Taj Shareef in a black shirt and head covering looking seriously at the camera. He has a mustache and goatee.

Taj Shareef

Taj Shareef is an LA/NJ based writer/VO artist.

photo of Beatrice Simpkins posed with her hand on her chin. She is wearing a suit.

Beatrice Simpkins

Beatrice Dolores Simpkins is an alum of Rutgers University-Newark. In 2016, Ms. Simpkins became a Rutgers University 250 Fellow – receiving a medal at the “A Day of Revolutionary Thinking”, the culminating event of Rutgers’ 250Th birthday celebration.

Sir Dane, wearing round dark glasses, two gold necklaces, a white hat, a white blazer, and a white shirt.

Marc Sir Dane

Marc Sir Dane - MSD is one of the most exciting and sensational live performers on the music (“Real Music”) trip today! He has been the opening act for such musical artists as Stephanie Mills, The Times and more. The real essence of his musical genius is his powerful vocals – stro

Perris Straughter, wearing a black jacket and a white shirt featuring a man's face, smiles at the camera. He is pictured against a city skyline.

Perris Straughter

Perris Straughter is the Director of Planning for Queens and Staten Island for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

Guy Striano

Guy Striano

Guy Striano was a bartender at gay clubs the Cactus Club and Charlie's West in Newark in the 1980s. Sadly, Guy passed away in 2021 at the age of 61.

Terri Seuss poses in front of a fountain. She is an older woman with short gray hair and glasses. She is wearing a blue shirt with a pink jacket over her shoulder.

Terri Suess

Kevin Taylor, who has long hair and is laughing and wearing a long sleeved white shirt.

Kevin E. Taylor

Saundra Toby Heath, who has short hair and glasses, smelling a bouquet of flowers.

Saundra Toby-Heath

Saundra A. Toby-Heath is a Newark Native who loves her city with great passion. She is an artisan and the sole proprietor of Akirfa Design Studio (find her art on Facebook).

Burley Tuggle, who has long hair and rectangular glasses, is leaning over and smiling at the camera.

Burley Tuggle

Burley Tuggle completed her Masters in Urban Policy Analysis and Management in 1997 and officially began her professional career. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the fields of Public Policy and Financial Management. Over this period, Ms.

Rejean Veal, turned to teh right. He has short hair and a short beard. The photo is modern but in black and white.

Rejean (Tornado) Veal

Rejean “Tornado” Veal was born and raised in Newark, NJ. During his sophomore year in high school at Malcolm X Shabazz, he ventured into the world of voguing. Since then, he has built a career as a professional dancer and has become active on the ballroom scene.

Aminah Washington, who is wearing a red shirt and has long hair, smiles at the camera.

Aminah Washington

Aminah Washington is an African American Trans woman, b.1986, born and raised in Newark, NJ. She attended Malcolm X Shabazz High School and Peshine Ave Prep. She has been through more than most and is blessed to have the chance to learn and grow from her life experiences.

Emma Wilcox, a woman with her hair pulled back and rectangular glasses, is wearing a black shirt and posed in front of a black background.

Emma Wilcox

Noelle Williams, wearing all black, poses outdoors in front of a statue.

Noelle Lorraine Williams

Black and white photo of Kiyan Williams in front of a tree

Kiyan Williams

Kiyan Williams is a multidisciplinary artist from Newark, NJ who works fluidly across sculpture, performance, and video. Kiyan graduated from Science Park High School and went on to earn a BA with honors from Stanford University and an MFA in Visual Art from Columbia University.

Maya Williams, a woman wearing a tan Balenciaga shirt, poses with her hand to her side. She is wearing glasses and has black shoulder length hair.

Maya Williams

Kareem, wearing a suit and tie, posed outdoors by a flowering plant and a river. He has round glasses and an elaborate hairstyle.

Kareem Willis

Kareem Willis is a scholar, activist and proud member of the LGBTQ Community.

Margaret Woods, a woman with short hair and glasses, poses in front of a gray background. She is wearing a blue and white shirt.

Margaret Woods

Gary Paul Wright, a man with a ponytail and glasses, wearing a suit, stands in front of a microphone, gesturing.

Gary Paul Wright

Gary Paul Wright is the Founder and Executive Director of the African American Office of Gay Concerns. He is very active within the LGBTQ community in Newark, New Jersey, where he served two 3-year terms as a Charter Member of the City of Newark’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgend