I grew up in NYC (Upper West Side and Greenwich Village) I always knew I was gay and always saw gay men and women in our neighborhood....I saw firsthand the movement begin on and around Christopher street....When the cops stopped raiding bars I saw more and more men out socially with friends...While I was in school at NYU I met my 1st real boyfriend..we went everywhere together..held hands...kissed in public (not sloppy) and let all know we were a couple.....If it wasn't for many more men and women like us I doubt the movement would have been so quick...Add to that the militant drag queens...we had a rolling movement not just asking for acceptance..but demanding and taking it..We attended the first march in Washington Sq Park....Bette Midler spoke...
Times have changed...that seems like light years away....