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Craig L. Rodwell (October 31, 1940 – June 18, 1993) was an American gay rights activist known for founding the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop on November 24, 1967, the first bookstore devoted to gay and lesbian authors〔(Craig Rodwell Papers, 1940-1993 ), New York Public Library (1999). Retrieved on July 25, 2011.〕〔Tobin, pg. 65〕〔Marotta, pg. 65〕 and as the prime mover for the creation of the New York City pride demonstration. Rodwell is considered by some to be quite possibly ''the'' leading gay rights activist in the early homophile movement of the 1960s.〔Stores, pg. 3〕 Rodwell was born in Chicago, IL. His parents divorced prior to his first birthday and for the next few years he was boarded out for day care where he was required to do kitchen labor and laundry to supplement his board and care. When he was 6 years old, Rodwell's mother, Marion Kastman, fearing that the child care set up could cause her to lose custody of her son, arranged for his admission to the Christian Scientist affiliated Chicago Junior School (later called the Fox River Country day School〔Naqvi, Jameel. (Fox River Country Day School Closing ) Daily Herald (June 14, 2011). Retrieved July 25, 2011.〕) for "problem" boys, in Elgin, IL.〔Duberman, pg. 3-4〕 Conditions and treatment at the school were described as "Dickensian" and Rodwell got a reputation for being a rebellious child, as well as a "sissy," during his seven years there. It was at Chicago Junior School that Rodwell first experienced same-sex relationships and also came to internalize the Christian Scientist notion that "truth is power and that truth is the greatest good."〔Duberman, pg. 5-8〕 After graduating from the Chicago Junior School, Rodwell attended Sullivan High School in Chicago, IL. Rodwell continued his studies in Christian Science by enrolling in Sunday school at the 16th Church of Christ, Scientist. He later studied ballet in Boston before finally moving to New York City in 1958. It was in New York that he first volunteered for a gay rights organization, The Mattachine Society of New York〔(Craig Rodwell Papers biographical notes, 1940-1993 ) New York Public Library (1999). Retrieved on July 25, 2011.〕 == Harvey Milk == In 1962, Rodwell had an affair with Harvey Milk, who went on later to become one of the first openly gay politicians elected to high office. It was Rodwell's first serious relationship.〔Carter, pg. 30-32〕 Rodwell's relationship with Milk ended in part due to Milk's conflicted reaction to Rodwell's early activism and his introduction to Milk of "strange new ideas that tied homosexuality to politics, ideas that both repelled and attracted the thirty-two-year-old Milk."〔Shilts, pg.25〕 Milk believed that Rodwell had been responsible for Milk contracting an STD. After Rodwell's arrest and incarceration when picked up cruising in Washington Square Park, Milk ended their romantic involvement. Shortly after, Rodwell attempted suicide.〔Carter, pg. 34-35〕〔Duberman, pg. 86-89〕〔Shilts, pg. 27-28〕 When Rodwell opened the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop in 1967, Milk dropped by frequently, and after moving to San Francisco Milk expressed his intention to Rodwell of opening a similar store "as a way of getting involved in community work." Milk eventually opened a camera store that also functioned as a community center, much like Rodwell's bookshop had as a community gathering place.〔Duberman, pg. 164-165〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Craig Rodwell」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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