I am Proud, Gay Protest March 1973 1973

ELLIS, Rennie

Registration number

1728162

Artist/maker

ELLIS, Rennie

Title

I am Proud, Gay Protest March 1973

Production date

1973

Medium

C-type photographic print

Dimensions (H x W x D)

sheet size: 50.8 x 40.6 cm, image size: 43.5 x 29 cm

Credit line

Purchased, 2018
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Rennie Ellis, Gordon Doak, Gay Pride Week, 1973, demonstration, protest, photography

Summary

One of the most celebrated moments of Gay Pride Week in 1973 was the impromptu appearance of 42-year-old Gordon Doak, a building contractor from the western suburbs with no prior involvement in gay politics. Gordon’s unique approach to ‘coming out’ was to run from his home in Sunshine all the way to the City Square, carrying a homemade placard. As he ran through the streets of Sunshine, Tottenham and Footscray, he was reportedly cheered on and waved at by pedestrians; he was jeered at only twice.