Ray Broshears and the Lavender Panthers: A Forgotten Chapter in Queer History

In San Francisco during 1973, Ray Broshears, a gay preacher, made headlines by forming a street vigilante group. His mission: to protect LGBTQ+ individuals in the Tenderloin neighborhood. His statement to a reporter was blunt—he wanted to intimidate those who had been attacking his community. Dubbed the ‘Lavender Panthers,’ this group under ‘Reverend Ray’ became a point of contention for its militant approach.

Broshears’ actions were a response to a society steeped in homophobia, demonstrating the queer community’s efforts to provide care and safety through their own means. The Lavender Panthers paved the way for later mutual aid movements, which arose to fill gaps left by mainstream society.

The history of the Lavender Panthers remains relatively obscure. As of a 2018 Newsweek article, neither Ray Broshears nor the Lavender Panthers had Wikipedia pages, a reflection of the scant documentation that exists for many such queer defense organizations of the era.

Reverend Ray actively sought publicity. He wrote for local newspapers and coordinated dramatic actions, such as faking a crucifixion outside a company accused of anti-gay practices. These actions, while not endearing him to some in the mainstream gay rights movement, have ensured that the Lavender Panthers’ legacy survives in historical records.

Many similar groups operating for lesbians, trans people, and people of color kept a low profile to avoid unwanted attention. As a result, much of their history may be lost.

To explore more about the Lavender Panthers, consider reading Sonja Anderson’s work in Smithsonian Magazine and Eric Markowitz’s article in Newsweek. Both offer detailed insights into this chapter of queer history.

Author Abi Inman is a comic artist and animator, part of NPR’s Visuals team. You can view more of her work on Instagram at @abiinman or on her website abiinman.com.