As you might’ve heard, I have a new video up on YouTube about the film Dog Day Afternoon, and a queer bank robber who stunned New York way back in the 1970s. For this week’s episode, we’re diving into the Sewers of Paris archives to explore queer life (and, occasionally, crime) in New York of the ‘70s. Back in the spring of 2020 I spoke with a man who remembered that era well; he earned the nickname Tree thanks to his six-foot-five stature, and he’s been a part of New York’s gay community going back to the fifties, when he didn’t even know a community existed. Tree’s been a member of Brooklyn street gangs, worked with the mob, and counted among his friends Buddy Holly, Bea Arthur, and Rock Hudson. 

The Sewers of Paris

Matt Baume

We Were Too Busy Being Gay (Ep 513 - Tree/Stonewall)

APR 3, 202548 MIN
The Sewers of Paris

We Were Too Busy Being Gay (Ep 513 - Tree/Stonewall)

APR 3, 202548 MIN

Description

<p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">As you might’ve heard, I have <a href="https://youtu.be/PxJcE4QjlTw">a new video up on YouTube about the film <em>Dog Day Afternoon</em></a>, and a queer bank robber who stunned New York way back in the 1970s. For this week’s episode, we’re diving into the <em>Sewers of Paris</em> archives to explore queer life (and, occasionally, crime) in New York of the ‘70s. Back in the spring of 2020 I spoke with a man who remembered that era well; he earned the nickname Tree thanks to his six-foot-five stature, and he’s been a part of New York’s gay community going back to the fifties, when he didn’t even know a community existed. Tree’s been a member of Brooklyn street gangs, worked with the mob, and counted among his friends Buddy Holly, Bea Arthur, and Rock Hudson.&nbsp;</p>