Station 7: Jesus falls 2nd time / police raid Black Cat gay bar

Jesus falls for the second time and police raid the Black Cat gay bar in Station 7 from “Stations of the Cross: The Struggle For LGBT Equality” by Mary Button, courtesy of Believe Out Loud
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1967: The Black Cat Tavern in Los Angeles is raided on New Year’s Day by 12 plainclothes police officers who beat and arrested employees and patrons. The resulting campaigns and protests pre-date the Stonewall riots by two years.
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Mini-commentary by Kittredge Cherry:

Jesus really seems to be walking with the gay protestors in this painting. Stonewall was the turning point, but lesser-known protests paved the way. I live near the Silverlake neighborhood where the Black Cat Tavern is still located -- now declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The protest there also helped inspire Troy Perry to found the LGBT-affirming Metropolitan Community Churches.

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Related link:

List of LGBT actions in the United States prior to the Stonewall riots (Wikipedia)
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“Stations of the Cross: The Struggle for LGBT Equality” is a new set of 14 paintings that link the crucifixion of Jesus with the history of LGBT people.

Artist Mary Button painted the LGBT Stations series for Believe Out Loud, an online network empowering Christians to work for LGBT equality. They invite churches and faith groups to download and use the images for free.

The whole series will also be shown here at the Jesus in Love Blog this week. Click here for an overview of the LGBT Stations by Kittredge Cherry, lesbian Christian author and art historian.