Stonewall Veterans' Association Celebrates 45 Years

The Stonewall Veterans’ Association is holding its 45th Annual Conference and Reunion June 21 to honor and celebrate the history that has been made since the Stonewall riots.

The event will feature a memorial tribute to SVA’s late ambassador Stormé “King Storme” DeLarverie, who died May 24 at 93. Speakers scheduled for the event include U.S. Congress members Carolyn Maloney, Nydia Velazquez and Yvette Clarke as well as a panel of Stonewall veterans. A classic blue 1969 Cadillac convertible, nicknamed the Stonewall Car, will be on display.

There will be performances by songwriter, activist, and author Sandy Rapp and the Deadly Nightshade, a rock-soul-country female trio.

Also expect to be brought back to the music of Stonewall in 1969, as DJ AnDre Christie will spin tracks by Diana Ross and the Supremes, Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Williamson Henderson, director of the SVA, will host this event, which will take place 4:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the New York City LGBT Center.

Photo: Stormé DeLarverie other Stonewall veterans Dave West, Williamson Henderson, Eddie Baca, and Meredith Nelson leading the 35th annual New York City Gay Pride Parade and making a tribute stop in front of the Stonewall Inn in 2004. Photo by Leigh McManus.