A Life of Activism
The First Permitted Gay Parade
Troy, with two friends, Morris Kight and Bob Humphries, founded Christopher Street West to hold an annual Pride Parade. It is the oldest gay pride parade in the world. Today there are Pride Parades held all over the world, which are the direct result of this action.
On June 28, 1970, approximately 2,000 people gathered on McCadden Place in Los Angeles, marched north to Hollywood Blvd, and proceeded east towards Vine Street. CSW's "Gay Pride Parade" became the first permitted gay parade in the world.
In 1970, the first Pride Parade held in Los Angeles, California
Troy's activism has taken many turns, including positions on a number of boards of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender organizations. He held a seat on the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations in 1973.
Troy worked in political arenas to oppose Anita Bryant in the Save the Children campaign in 1977, that sought to overturn an anti-discrimination ordinance passed by the city of Miami. Unsuccessful in Miami, he also worked to oppose the Briggs Initiative in California that was written to ensure gay and lesbian teachers would be fired or prohibited from working in California public schools. Beginning on September 4, 1977, Perry held a 16-day fast on the steps of the Federal Building in Los Angeles to raise funds to fight the initiative. The Briggs Initiative was soundly defeated in 1978, due in large part to grass-roots organizing, which he participated in.
In 1978 he was honored by the American Civil Liberties Union Lesbian and Gay Rights Chapter with its Humanitarian Award.
Troy also planned the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979 with Robin Tyler.
Troy holds honorary doctorates from Episcopal Divinity School in Boston, Samaritan College (Los Angeles), and Sierra University in Santa Monica, California for his work in civil rights, and was lauded by the Gay Press Association with its Humanitarian Award.
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL INVITATIONS
He has been invited to the White House on five occasions:
- In 1977 by President Jimmy Carter to discuss gay and lesbian rights
- In 1995 by President Bill Clinton as a participant in the first White House Conference on HIV and AIDS
- In 1997 invited by President Clinton as a participant in the White House Conference on Hate Crimes
- In 1997 again as a guest of President Clinton as an "honoree" at a White House breakfast with President honoring 100 national spiritual leaders in the USA
- In 2009, along with his partner Phillip De Blieck, by President Barack Obama on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Stonewall
In 2009, Troy with husband Phillip and President Barack Obama on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall.
INTERNATIONAL HONORS
In March 2017, Perry became the first American citizen honored with Cuba's CENESEX award. The 10th Cuban Gala Against Homophobia and Transphobia, held at the Karl Marx Theater in Havana, Cuba, was the setting where nearly 5,000 people gathered to honor Rev. Perry, including the US, French, Swiss ambassadors, as well as the Minister of Culture of Cuba. Mariela Castro Espín, daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, and a member of the country's National Assembly, and Director of CENESEX, presented the award. He was given the award for his long history of working for human rights and the rights of the LGBTQ community worldwide.
2017 in Havana, Cuba. Troy with his husband Phillip De Blieck and Mariela Castro Espín. News Story
50th ANNIVERSARY Honors
In 2018,Troy was honored (left) on the 50th anniversary of the founding of Metropolitan Community Churches.
In 2019, Troy was named to the Stonewall 50 Wall of Honor made up of 18 community leaders including Wilson Cruz, Mandy Carter, Marsha Botzer and Stuart Milk, the gay nephew of slain San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk.