A new book, "Queer Newark: Stories of Resistance, Love, and Community," explores the LGBTQ+ history of Newark. Released two decades after the tragic killing of Sakia Gunn, the book, edited by Rutgers-Newark professor Whitney Strub and published by Rutgers University Press, delves into diverse LGBTQ+ histories in Newark and nationwide.

A Tragic Night That Shaped a Community

Being published on the 20th anniversary of Gunn's passing, the book comes at a pivotal moment. After traveling from Manhattan, Gunn and her pals were waiting for a bus at Broad and Market streets. However, a fight broke out when the girls revealed they were lesbians to the men making advances to them. Gunn attempted to step in but was fatally stabbed. The attacker admitted guilt and received a 20-year sentence.

The murder of Gunn proved the lack of equality when it comes to the way the human rights of the queer community are perceived by society because of the discrepancies that appeared in the media compared to Matthew Shepard's murder, which is more popular among people.

The book puts highlights Newark, a city often left out of queer histories. The book challenges the common emphasis on big cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, providing a different and corrective view of the LGBTQ+ history nationwide.

Whitney Strub emphasized Newark's unique contribution to LGBTQ+ history. The city's working-class and majority population of color provide a different lens through which to view the LGBTQ+ experience. Strub also pointed out a gap in the history of Newark.

Typically, these histories focus on industrialization, immigration, the African-American Great Migration, riots, Black Power, and deindustrialization, neglecting to emphasize the significant role of gender and sexuality in every city's history.

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Unveiling LGBTQ+ Narratives and Honoring Sakia Gunn's Legacy

The book spans various chapters, each offering a unique insight into different aspects of LGBTQ+ life in Newark. The chapters provide a thorough grasp of the community's challenges, victories, and resiliency through everything, from unearthing obscure gay and lesbian nightlife to resurrecting early queer histories.

Strub's book draws inspiration from the Queer Newark Oral History Project, a local Rutgers initiative. This project consists of recorded interviews where individuals share their stories, providing a valuable resource for academic research and general public listening.

The renaming of an intersection in Newark as 'Sakia Gunn Way' and the opening of the Newark LGBTQ Community Center show Newark's intention to preserve and immortalize Gunn's legacy and also to form a more welcoming society.

Gunn's family has put considerable effort into keeping her legacy alive. Renaming the street holds great significance for her cousin, Valencia Bailey, as it is an acknowledgment and a lasting tribute to Gunn's legacy. By making this gesture, Gunn's tale will live on in the minds of those who pass by and serve as a constant reminder of her struggles and existence.

LGBTQ rights activist Denise Hinds, who works both locally and nationally, is happy that "Queer Newark" has been released. She believes it will play a significant role in keeping a rich history that many people may not know.

Essentially, "Queer Newark" is a book about more than just the past; it is a celebration of diversity, an acknowledgment of the challenges that LGBTQ+ groups confront, and an illustration of the love and tenacity that unite these communities.

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