Albuquerque musical explores origin of gay activism

ABQTrib.com – By Adriana G?mez Lic?n

Resistance to police raids at a gay club in New York City’s Greenwich Village 38 years ago gave birth to the gay activism of today.

The “Stonewall riots” also inspired a musical comedy revue that opens tonight at the Vortex Theater.

Kenneth Ansloan, co-founder of the Dolls, an Albuquerque drag troupe, wrote “Revolting Drag Queens: A Story of Stonewall.”

He says he was moved and shocked by the true story of 200 homosexuals who took a stand against New York police who raided Greenwich Village’s Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969.

In the 1960s, gay or transgender people could be arrested on charges of public indecency if they kissed, held hands or cross-dressed in public.

“I was amazed the law was against homosexuality,” Ansloan says.