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America’s First Drag Queen President

1992 Election, Bill Stamets, Black, Blog, Chicago, Chicago Politics, Communities, LGBTQIA, Politics

“A presidential campaign is like a drag show.” Joan Jett Blakk In 1992, there was another candidate against Bush, and her name? Joan Jett Blakk. For Pride month, Media Burn is highlighting and celebrating the work of queer activists of the past. Blakk was the drag persona of performer Terence Smith, who was a performer and leader of Chicago Queer Nation in the 70s. In the 1990s, Blakk campaigned for various political positions, such as mayor of Chicago, President (as … Continue reading →
Novo Dextro: Purity & Danger

Bill Stamets, Chicago, Communities, LGBTQIA

Documentary by Bill Stamets about the American Nazi Party’s “anti-queer, pro-life” rally held in 1982 in Chicago’s Lincoln Park in response to the city’s annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade. Continue reading →
MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour 4/3/1987

Communities, LGBTQIA

This edition of the MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour covers a variety of topics, including a spy affair at the Moscow embassy, an interview with Jimmy Carter about the Middle East, the case of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, a congressional special election in San Francisco, and The PTL Club televangelist scandal. Continue reading →
[Socialist-Feminist Conference: Lesbian Panel, Antioch College 1975]

Chicago, Communities, Kartemquin Films, LGBTQIA, Outside Agitators, Politics, Roots of Video

The Lesbian Panel at the Socialist-Feminist Conference, July 1975 at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Continue reading →
[Joan Jett Blakk announces candidacy for president]

Bill Stamets, Black, Chicago, Communities, LGBTQIA, Outside Agitators, Politics

Joan Jett Blakk announces her candidacy for president at Ann Sather restaurant and the Berlin nightclub on Belmont Avenue in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Continue reading →
Joan Jett Blakk: Queer Nation’s Candidate for President, 1992

Bill Stamets, Chicago, Communities, LGBTQIA, Outside Agitators, Politics

Uncut footage of an interview with Joan Jett Blakk, Queer Nation’s candidate for president in 1992. Continue reading →
In Plain English

American Way, Asian American, Black, Communities, Julia Lesage, Latinx, LGBTQIA, Native American

University of Oregon’s students of color discuss what race means in terms of their experiences on and off campus. The video is a procession of talking heads, positioning the students as points of authority while also encouraging the viewer to consider their own expectations and ideas of race. Continue reading →
[Wired In raw: Jamie Fenton follow up #2]

Communities, LGBTQIA

The tape features raw footage shot for a television show called “Wired In.” While the program never actually came to fruition, the footage and demos put together are an interesting look into the the technological trends and innovations of the 1980s. In this video, Jamie (Jay) Fenton of Bally/Midway discusses the current state of video games in America and demos the current game she is working on.

Note: Jamie Fenton is a trans woman. Even though she was presenting as male at the time this footage was originally recorded, these notes refer to her using her proper gender. Continue reading →