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N E W S   R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release: October 25, 2002

A Public Statement by Rev. Troy D. Perry
MCC Founder and Moderator

On the Death of Gay Rights Pioneer
Harry Hay
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October 25, 2002

A Personal Message and Reflection From Rev. Troy Perry:

We are saddened by the death this week of Harry Hay, a true pioneer of the modern gay rights movement.

History will long remember Harry Hay for formulating the concept of homosexuals as an oppressed cultural minority group -- a powerful concept that helped birth the movement for legal and social equality for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons.

Hay founded The Mattachine Society, which was one of the earliest homosexual groups and one of the first groups to fight the police entrapment of gay males. During the 1950s and 1960, police entrapment was especially used to harass gay men. In one case, Hay helped to retain a lawyer for the defendant, who publicly acknowledged is homosexuality and then went on to fight the legal charges. The jury acquitted the defendant and this historic case helped to strengthen the gay equality movement.

During my first public protest for gay equality in Los Angeles in 1969, Harry Hay and his partner John Burnside joined me for three days of public protests and picketing at the State Steamship Company. A member of our Metropolitan Community Churches had been fired by the company solely because it was discovered he was gay. About the same time, a gay man in Los Angeles had died as a result of a police beating. These two events motivated me to call for the first public protest in Los Angles, and I have always been thankful that Harry Hay and his partner John stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me and the members of Metropolitan Community Churches in that public event that helped to embolden the gay community of Los Angeles.

I had spoken with Harry very recently and we had planned to get together in San Francisco this weekend to share a meal. I spoke just this morning with John Burnside, Harry's partner of 39 years, and John vividly recalled their participation at my first public demonstration in 1969.

I was especially moved during today's conversation with John when he said, "Harry always admired the work of Metropolitan Community Churches and often commented that MCC was one of the earliest groups to take a public stand for equal rights for gay men and lesbians."

In the late 70's, Harry became increasingly interested in the spiritual aspects of the gay community and was instrumental in founding the Radical Faeries, a group committed to gay spirituality and ecology. He also devoted much of his life to Native American causes, women's issues and antiwar campaigns.

All people who believe in justice and equality owe a debt of gratitude for the vision and work of Harry Hay. I encourage all people of goodwill to remember the important ways in which Harry's life and activism have made our lives better, and to especially remember his partner, John Burnside, with your love and prayers during this time of loss.

Rev. Troy D. Perry
Troy Perry
Founder and Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches

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