Library of Congress acquires gay rights papers

On Thursday, the Library of Congress announced that it has acquired the papers, photographs, films, and memorabilia of gay rights pioneer Lilli Vincenz.

In 1965, Vincenz joined the first gay rights protest in front of the White House. She marched along with group leader Frank Kameny and 10 others; she also marched during July 4th demonstrations in Philadelphia.

Vincenz’s collection includes over 10,000 items including two 16-mm films she made during gay rights protests in Philadelphia as well as the first gay pride parade in New York City in 1970.

Vincenz, who is a long-time resident of Arlington Va., was one of the first lesbian members of the Mattachine Society of Washington, a gay rights organization. She was the first editor of its newspaper, The Homosexual Citizen.