Back to Oct 2003 Show

Leonard Matlovich...

July 7, 1943 -- June 22, 1988

Leonard Matlovich was one of our heroes, and I feel very honored to have met him.
During a lengthy trip to California in 1981, I visited him for a weekend in June.
At that time he was living in Russian River and was operating Stumptown
Annie's Pizza Parlor, which he bought with proceeds from the settlement he
received from the Air Force. The candid pic is one I took of him there.

             

the 1978 TV movie made about Leonard Matlovich

Here's a 8/26/1975 interview on NYC Pacifica WBAI Radio.
Preservced by Brian DeShazor, 57 minutes. Listen

Matlovich campaign button, Fall 1979.
District 5 was the one Harvey Milk represented. After his death Harry Britt
was appointed to fill the vacancy, and therefore by city charter would be
required to run for election the next year. Matlovich had moved to
San Francisco earlier that year and ran against Britt, but, running
as a Republican, garnered few votes.

THIS LINK, from The Legacy Project
is a great resource of info about Matlovich

Below, campaign flyer (pass cursor over to see both sides)

Leonard's name is not on the actual stone, but is shown at the base of it.
Also, note the grave of Frank Kameny to the right.

There are many websites that can provide you with information
about leonard. These are a few that I found worthwhile:

http://www.leonardmatlovich.com/

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2660

http://www.paulsgaystamps.com/The%20Modern%20Age/The_Modern_Age_Leonard_Matlovich.htm

http://entertainment.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=139975

Matlovich-The Good Soldier, by Mike Hippler, 1989
While this has the look of a budget book, only 180 pages, I know enough of the story of Sgt Matlovich
to think it did a very good job. It takes us through his childhood, and a very slow coming out process.
I'm not judging, mine was slow as well. And it amply tells of his military career in the Air Force, an
exemplary one, with three tours of Viet Nam, and plenty of medals, including a Purple Heart. And then
he decides to challenge the Air Force, with a desire to do so as an openly gay soldier, battling for human
rights. That's the story that got him on the cover of Time Magazine. That's the reason he should be
honored as one of our heroes.

Below, for a few years there was a Leonard Matlovich Society

Below, a larger scan from the flyer...apparently Leonard posed behind his tombstone