Some Notes on Judy Garland

“There have been a lot of stories written about me, some of them fantastically distorted.”

– Judy Garland, January 1960

“The combination of a full moon and Judy Garland’s funeral was too much for them, Dick Neuweiler said the other day, assessing the cause of the Great Faggot Rebellion.”

– The Village Voice, July 1969

In 1935, Judy Garland has an audition at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in Culver City and is immediately given a film contract.

In 1935, electric shock therapy is deemed a success in treating “homosexual neurosis.”

In 1936, Garland stars in her first feature film, Pigskin Parade.

In 1936, the ACLU helps to defend Lillian Hellman’s lesbian-themed play The Children’s Hour in court, marking the organization’s first involvement in LGBT rights.

In 1939, The Wizard of Oz is released to critical acclaim but poor commercial success.

In 1939, NYC Mayor LaGuardia mandates that gay and lesbian bars must be moved out of Times Square. They relocate to the West Village.

In 1948, Easter Parade, the most successful film of Garland’s career, hits theaters.

In 1948, Harry Hay has the idea for the Mattachine Society, one of the earliest gay rights groups in the U.S.

In 1950, at her request, Garland is let go from her contract at MGM.

In 1950, all the 19-year-olds at the Stonewall Riots are born.

In 1955, Garland releases her first studio album, Miss Show Business.

In 1955, the first lesbian organization in the U.S., The Daughters of Bilitis, is founded in San Francisco.

In 1959, after a successful stint at the London Palladium, Garland decides to move to England permanently.

In 1959, a skirmish between police and LGBT patrons occurs at Cooper’s Do-nuts in Los Angeles.

In 1963, I Could Go On Singing premieres. It is Garland’s final film.

In 1963, The Hardy Boys actor Tommy Kirk gets fired from Disney films after Walt Disney learns Kirk is gay.

In 1966, Garland is a half million dollars in debt and sells her home in Los Angeles.

In 1966, activists at Julius’ bar in New York City hold a sip-in over the prohibition on serving LGBT people.

In 1967, Garland is dismissed from her film role in Valley of the Dolls after showing up drunk on-set.

In 1967, the Stonewall Inn opens for business on Christopher Street.

In January 1969, Garland begins a five week run at the London club The Talk of the Town. She consistently shows up late for performances and misses several shows.

In January 1969, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye is the number one song in America.

On June 22nd, 1969, Judy Garland dies of an overdose. The funeral is held the afternoon of June 28th. That evening, the Stonewall Riots begin.

Five years earlier, in 1964, a small group of people picket outside an induction center in New York City after the draft records of gay men are revealed.

A year later, members of the East Coast Homophile Organization picket The Pentagon, The White House, The United Nations, and the State Department.

A year later, unrest breaks out at Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco over the harassment of transgender customers.

A year later, fed up with police raids and beatings, LGBT people demonstrate in front of the Black Cat Tavern in Los Angeles.

A year later, as part of an annual protest for equality, LGBT people march in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

A year later, LGBT people with no home and no community begin to riot against police at the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street. Demonstrations continue for three nights, and lead to the creation of the first trans organization, the first gay youth organization, and the first gay pride parade.

Judy Garland’s death was just Judy Garland’s death.