Vernita Gray 2012 - The Fireside Chat Series
Channel: Fireside Chats with Douglas O'Keeffe
Date: 2018-11-11

Vernita Gray was one of Chicago's most dedicated LGBT activists. She developed a telephone hotline, organized support groups, and helped establish Chicago's first Lesbian newspaper: Lavender  Woman. She also formed the lesbian caucus of Gay Liberation, a group that served as a precursor to the Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network.

Her marriage to longtime partner Pat Ewert was the state of Illinois’ first legally-recognized same-sex marriage.

Vernita passed in February of 2016 from cancer.


Inside Leather History: A Fireside Chat is produced by Douglas O’Keeffe and Mistress Joanne C. Gaddy (the “Producers”).The Chats seek to capture the memories, reflections, and experiences of leaders in the leather and/or LGBTQ communities. With a deep and heartfelt regard for the importance of our history, it is the intent of the Producers to collect, preserve, and appropriately share the stories of our forebears and others who have made significant contributions to the leather and/or LGBTQ communities. This is done through a series of recorded interviews.