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A Call For Activists to Rally Around Storme Delarverie

Kudos to all of the people who are spreading the word about Storme's remarkable life via blogs, twitter and email.  Currently, the NY Times story is #15 on the most e-mailed article list.  Keep spreading the word.

UPDATED BELOW — In the midst of this week-end's gay pride festivities, we should not forget those who have fought to make these freedoms possible.  As pointed out by Manny Fernandez in his NY Times article, for the first time since its inception, Stonewall activist Storme Delarverie was unable to attend Sunday's Gay Pride Parade.  Storme's longtime friend, Lisa Cannistraci, owner of the lesbian bar Henrietta Hudson, says:

Storme_DeLarverie_2005 “I feel like the gay community could have really rallied, but they didn’t."

“The young gays and lesbians today have never heard of her, and most of our activists are young. They’re in their 20s and early 30s. The community that’s familiar with her is dwindling.”

While Storme suffers from some dementia, she is physically strong, and, as we've mentioned previously on this blog, we would like to see her return to live out her days among her friends at the Chelsea Hotel.  In the meantime, it's important for people to continue to keep visiting Storme and to continue to watch out for her well-being. A JASA official, Leah Ferster, is quoted in the article as saying that Storme is allowed to be taken outside of the nursing home for walks and such.  There's a park less than a block away from the Oxford Nursing Home, and even the opportunity to go for an hour's walk there would no doubt mean a lot to Storme.  (Photo of Storme at Gay Pride in 2005 via SVA)

UPDATE: In a statement on their website The Stonewall Veterans Association challenges JASA's assertion that they were unaware that members of the community wanted to take Storme out of the nursing home for special events. Here's the SVA statement: "Storme likes the happening that a story exposing his sudden plight as of the past few months, came out on Gay Pride weekend; however, does not like the underlying reality that he was deprived of partaking in his organization's "41st Annual Conference & Stonewall Veterans Reunion". That was held on Saturday, June 26th at the New York Gay Center. The SVA had all arrangements necessary but no one was given the 'ultimate permission' from JASA though they were well aware (unlike the denial in the story). This is the first time that Storme missed the meaningful SVA event and a reunion with other Stonewall vets!"

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28 responses to “A Call For Activists to Rally Around Storme Delarverie”

  1. Miss H Avatar
    Miss H

    Everyone should rally around Storme, because of what she did as a civil rights activist and because of what she did as a performer and a human being. How many of us ate a bowl of soup at Storme’s table when down and out? She is a legend and should be treated as such forever and ever.

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  2. Kari Avatar
    Kari

    This makes me so furious! First of all she should be allowed back to Chelsea Hotel. It’s her home, and it’s where she belongs. She’s the most iconic, influential people left of the Chelsea Hotel residents. I met her last year when I was staying at the hotel, and had a brief conversation with her. She’s my hero! (And I’m in my twenties.) It’s sad to me that young gay people in America don’t have the knowledge of who started the fight for gay rights. And that they don’t care. There’s so much apathy, and that’s the last thing we need to achieve what we want: Equal rights

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  3. backtalk Avatar
    backtalk

    good article – in fact any coverage about storme’s situation is positive. i’m a little surprised tho how the ny times fails to touch on the legitimate reasons why storme is where she is — which have nothing to do with dehydration or forgetfulness and everything to do with corporate greed and both the physical and spiritual crumbling of an historical landmark.
    also we don’t hear at all from storme’s friends and fellow residents at the chelsea — those people who know her the best. only a link to a bar she once worked at. maybe the times plans a follow up story?

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  4. Michele Avatar
    Michele

    For those who would like to visit Storme’, her address is:
    Oxford Nursing Home
    144 South Oxford St.
    Brooklyn, NY 11235
    Tel: 718-638-0360
    It’s easy to arrive there on the C train to the Lafayette stop, then walk one block west.

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  5. Anonymoose Avatar
    Anonymoose

    Storme can be a bit forgetful, thats true. She’s been known to repeat a story more than once, or fail to match a face with a name. But then she’s 89, she’s in a place far from home, she’s surrounded by strangers, she was kept bedridden for three months, she was told by doctors she’d be going home but never did — and then she was never told why. Anyone would be shaken up, turned around, and confused. And it seems to me that her decisions are being made by a lot of so called experts who all think they know whats best for her, but may not have a clue. They’ve never seen anyone like Storme Delarverie. One thing seems certain — the only parties winning here are JASA which is a for-profit and gets paid cash money from the State for every old person they displace, and Storme’s landlord who one would assume will eventually start renting her apartment for a lot more money than she’d been paying the last thirty years. The Times may have missed a lot of the meat, but at least part of this lovely lady’s sad story is getting told.

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  6. Michele Zalopany Avatar
    Michele Zalopany

    I found this link to the history of Storme’ and the Stonewall Vets reaction to the NYTimes article:
    http://www.stonewallvets.org//StormeDeLarverie.htm

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  7. Kari Avatar
    Kari

    Thank you backtalk… I agree 100%. That’s exactly what it’s about, and it infuriates me

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  8. Kari Avatar
    Kari

    Only a year ago I met Stormé at the Chelsea Hotel and she seemed fit and healthy. The decline has happened fast. I just hope she gets to move back to Chelsea Hotel, and that those vultures like Marlene Krauss etc. will just grow a heart for just one second, and let her have her have her last days where she belongs.
    By the way, thank you Ed for the reply:) It means a lot to me.

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  9. Stonewalled Avatar
    Stonewalled

    The SVA has been sadly dormant in regard to Storme’s kidnapping and surrounding events, when they should have been up at arms and rallying the LGBT media from day one. Who runs that organization anyway? Prior to the NYT article they had nothing to offer save a “Feel Better Storme” at the far far bottom of a cluttered webpage.

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  10. BRING STORME HOME! Avatar
    BRING STORME HOME!

    BRING STORME HOME TO THE CHELSEA HOTEL!
    What a presumtuous bunch must work for this JASA! I wonder if their Leah Ferster actually believes what she’s saying when we all know Storme “went outside” every day of her life on 23rd Street, navigating the entire neighborhood both day and night — without any help or persmission from them! Old people get dehydrated, they get treated and they go home. Still waiting for someone to explain why that doesn’t apply to Storme Delarverie.

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  11. resident Avatar
    resident

    Well obviously there was going to be resistance to removing Storme from the nursing home for a Gay Pride March when she’s spent 4 months straight in a hospital setting.
    But did the SVA then organize any vets to go and spend time with Storme that day, instead?

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  12. Hal Weiner Avatar
    Hal Weiner

    It would be nice of someone would protect my FRIGGIN COPYRIGHT by at least giving me credit for the Storme photo on Christopher Street that heads up this section.
    It would be even nicer if we had known enough about this to get Storme out of that nursing home but STONEWALL Vets didn’t even have a designated spot in the parade.
    That’s like having a wedding without the bride and groom.
    Hal Weiner NPPA NYPPA
    Former Legal Advisor
    Current Visual Journalist
    STONEWALL Veterans Association

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  13. Upstairs Neighbor Avatar
    Upstairs Neighbor

    We Love You Storme!

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  14. BBB! Avatar
    BBB!

    Copyright, copyshmite. Here are some photos online that explain more of how Storme got to where she is now. Steal all you can.
    http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=453774952&albumId=1538473
    Storme isn’t a dementia patient as the Times reported, nor was she ever hospitalized as such; she is forgetful and significantly shaken up from 4 months in closed captivity. We’d all be “out of sorts” (or worse) if treated the same way at 89 years old, however if Storme were permitted to return to her home in the Chelsea neighborhood, she would undoubtedly reacclimate and bounce back to her old self.
    But that won’t hold true forever. This experience is subtracting months or even years from her extraordinary life.
    http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=453774952&albumId=1538473

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  15. I'M A SHE! Avatar
    I’M A SHE!

    WHY THE F*CK DOES THE SVA INSIST ON REFERRING TO STORME DELARVER AS “HE”? BOTH IN THIS STATEMENT AND ELSEWHERE ON THEIR WEBSITE?
    DO THEY NOT UNDERSTAND THAT STORME IS A WOMAN AND A PROUD WOMAN, AT THAT? THEY HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO THIS INSULT AND CONTINUE TO EMPLOY IT.
    SHE WAS A “HE” ON STAGE. NOT OFF STAGE. THIS SHOULD HAVE TO BE EXPLAINED? GOSH!

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  16. friend of storme Avatar
    friend of storme

    there are some excellent restaurants in the fort greene neighborhood where storme stays — havana outpost is one block away (just don’t get storme started on the biclycle blender)and also a great pizzaria called “not ray’s pizza”. i’m sure storme would love to hit some of these joints too is that allowed?

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  17. Perez Hilton On Storme Delarverie Avatar
    Perez Hilton On Storme Delarverie

    http://www.celebritytweet.com/PerezHilton/link/17291796438/

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  18. Karma's a Bitch Avatar
    Karma’s a Bitch

    True that Miss H — too bad the majority of Storme’s neighbors are only worried about their own apartments and not hers. If its true that someone made complaints about Storme that led to this then that person has some karma coming to them and well deserved. Welcome to NYC!

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  19. SVA-er Avatar
    SVA-er

    Storme’s problem is that she had no Next of Kin, OK! Everybody–Stop pointing fingers, blaming individuals and groups. Storme’s unfortunate series of events have nothing to do with neither her neighbors nor Hotel management; rather, Storme’s neglect of her personal affairs combined with No Next of Kin resulted in her Social Workers (true) having a Guardian appointed by the court because they were concerned for her (also true). There is no Conspiracy here. Only caring acts. Also, those who know Storme only a few years know her as She, because only in recent years has Storme preferred that pronoun. The S.V.A. has known Storme as He for decades. Forty one years. Your rant about the pronoun only shows your ignorance of Storme. You insult and undermine Storme when you insult and undermine the S.V.A., of which Storme is an Ambassador (yes, masc.) and Executive Officer. And Storme would not like that. At all.

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  20. Stonewalled Too Avatar
    Stonewalled Too

    The SVA is a lot of flaccid talkboxes, frankly. They can be counted on to rant about what rights they demand and to march on the appointed day, but when one of their own comes under heavy fire they all take cover, make up excuses, or sit on their hands and do nothing, then post on a blog established by residents who actually spend a lot of their time and resources caring for Storme. Not because she represents LGBT, but because she’s an endearing person.
    Now that Storme is displaced, its easy enough for the SVA to go on about how long they’ve done this for Storme and how long they’ve known that — but at the end of the day they havn’t done squat to correct this situation, or even try to join those parties working to correct the situation. They’re like a bunch of victims, waiting for other people to take action so they can assume credit for themselves.
    The SVA should maybe just pay attention to their own website which — as is — hardly does service to Storme with revolutionary blurbs like “Get Well Soon, Storme”.
    And what in heck’s name would SVA even know about Storme’s landlord, or the forces at work to remove ALL long term residents from the Chelsea Hotel — including her? I mean, you’d have to read the newspaper to know about stuff like that. Hasn’t it occurred to SVA that the reason Storme’s landlord was able to exploit her was EXACTLY BECAUSE she had no next of kin? Use your brain for once. Read between the lines.
    The SVA knows a lot less than they should about Storme’s current travails because they haven’t been involved with her day to day, they haven’t shown up to court dates, they haven’t incited any pro-Storme speech in the press, and they didn’t show their face at the meeting that Storme’s friends and loved ones organized with caseworkers.
    In fact, mostly they just want Storme to show up on Gay Pride and support THEIR cause. But how about Storme’s cause? We heard from SVA about how they made all these plans but were shocked when 89 year old Storme after months in hospital wasn’t approved to go march with tens of thousands of people in the summer heat. But as another post asked — did SVA organizers drop their Gay Day plans and spend it with Storme instead? Not likely.
    Yeah, SVA, all that lip service you’re accomplishing really helps Storme’s situation. Smell that sarcasm — its more than you’ve contributed thus far to assist this wonderful lady.

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  21. ... Avatar
    …

    SVAer seems to be a self professed expert at what Storme likes to be called, which isn’t her Stage persona. Call her a “He” to her face and she’ll jog your memory with a left hook. Though if you’re that Joclyn Wildenstein looking character, this might create an improvement.

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  22. NOK Avatar
    NOK

    The statement that Storme has no next of kin is inaccurate. She has two adult children.

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  23. Stonewalled Too Avatar
    Stonewalled Too

    Good point, NOK. Storme’s next of kin couldn’t be found, so the State treats her like she has none. Its not right! Anyone know if the State has committed any of its resources (or time) to locating her relatives? Seems like they ought to, out of due diligence.

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  24. Hotel Resident Avatar
    Hotel Resident

    Actaully, SVAer, it’s not fair to blame Storme for “neglect” of her personal affairs. Old people need help. If you’re not old now then you may be old someday — and you’ll need help, too.
    A young-er tenant who professed to care about Storme offered to provide this help — even went on record — but then just never bothered. So it is, actually, a conspiracy by the very definition of the word: A conspiracy of Dunces.
    Thats not even bothering to mention how the Hotel Chelsea encouraged Benedict Arnolds to make complaints against Storme. All so they could disown responsibility for what they knew would happen when Social Services agents came snooping around.

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  25. Michele Avatar
    Michele

    If friends of Storme’ would like to take her out, they can call Susan Fasullo at JASA:212-273-5327 at least one day in advance, they must remain in the neighborhood, and be accompanied by an aide provided by JASA. It wis great for her to go out because she needs to physically move more and be stimulated sensorally, and mentally or she will indeed go down hill.

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  26. Beybey Avatar
    Beybey

    Where were all these concerned citizens when she was living in such horrid conditions?

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  27. Time Out Avatar
    Time Out

    Allowing Storme to enjoy her freedom, but keeping a watchful eye on her.
    Where were you?

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  28. Buried in Baloney Avatar
    Buried in Baloney

    Hey BeyBey, and all the other ‘concerned’ friends of Storme’ who were responsible for her being in a nursing home, did you attend the lastest installment of Sam Bassett’s continueing ‘Self-documentary’ with Famous Old People, at Webster Hall, yesterday? In case you didn’t, this one featured/exploited Storme’, singing with Rad Sam, in a skirt and ballet bun, and synchophants, dancing in the middle of the street in Times Square. DEEP!

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