queer ripley's believe it or not

Spent the snowy afternoon in Julius’ - the oldest gay bar in the city. Was fun, young and old and a light, fun, warm buzz - maybe the first time I’ve been there this century. 

This is a photo of the famous '66 Sip-in. Julius' has been open at 10th and Waverly Place since the 1860s, although not always as a gay bar. A century later, drinking while gay was considered illegal in New York state. Any bar or restaurant could be raided or closed for being “disorderly.” One man buying another man a drink, or flirtatious conversation, was enough grounds to be charged with disorderly conduct. Kissing was disorderly conduct. 

Three men challenged this interpretation of the law in court. Homosexuality was defined as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association until 1973.

On April 21, 1966 Dick Leitsch, Craig Rodwell and John Timmons walked through the door to engage in a “sip-in.” This was inspired by earlier “sit-ins” to desegregate diners in the American south. 

At Julius’, the bartender wanted no trouble. Leitsch asked him to cooperate, promising that he would help with the bar’s legal issues. The bartender played his part. When Leitsch revealed that he and his friends were homosexuals, the bartender covered the glasses with his hand and refused to serve them, saying, “I think it’s against the law.” The New York Times ran a story entitled, “3 Deviates Invite Exclusion by Bars.” The Mattachine Society had the court case it wanted.

A year later, the courts ruled indecent behavior had to be more than same-sex “cruising,” kissing or touching.