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Summary:: Alternative Name(s): Button

Red badge with butterfly inside triangle, and the inscription 'GAY SOLIDARITY / CHRISTOPHER ST, JUNE '69'. Used in Melbourne circa 1969-1986.

One of a collection of buttons assembled by donor while active in left-wing politics at University of Melbourne 1979-1986. 'Christopher St' refers to a street in New York's Greenwich Village, in which gays and lesbians rioted against police bias and oppression. The fray was centered on the Stonewall Inn. In the wake of the riots the name 'Stonewall' came to symbolize the gay community taking a stand against oppression.

Part of a Museum Victoria collection documenting the material culture of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities in Victoria. In 2005 the Museum joined with the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives and the State Library of Victoria to conducted a survey of GLBT material culture in public and private collections in Victoria. Refer Kate Davison (2006), Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender Material Survey: Project Report 2006.
Description:: Circular button. Red background with black ink. Inscription around circumference. Black line drawing symbol in centre depicts a triangle enclosing a butterfly.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Mr Bill Watson, 1990

Tagged with:	protest movements, lesbian gay
Themes this item is part of:	Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Project, Museum Victoria, 2005-2006, Cultural Diversity Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection, Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day, 1970
Primary Classification:	POLITICS & PUBLIC PROTEST
Secondary Classification:	Sexual Politics
Tertiary Classification:	badges
Inscriptions:	Printed front, black ink "GAY SOLIDARITY / CHRISTOPHER ST., JUNE '69".
Place & Date Used:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1969-1986
References:	Susan Stryker, 'Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day: 1970', Planet Out.com web site - http://www.planetout.com/news/history/archive/christopher.html (accessed 11/4/2005)