Grave of Leonard Matlovich, the Gay Vietnam Veteran

Grave of Leonard Matlovich, the Gay Vietnam Veteran

Collection:
Images from the History of Medicine (IHM)
Author(s):
Pace, Richard (Richard Lee), artist
Contributor(s):
Zwerdling, Michael, former owner
Art Unlimited (Firm : Amsterdam, Netherlands), issuing body.
Publication:
Amsterdam : Art Unlimited, [1995]
Language(s):
English
Format:
Still image
Subject(s):
Homophobia
Military Personnel
Homosexuality
Cemeteries
United States
Matlovich, Leonard.
Genre(s):
Postcard
Abstract:
This postcard contains a photograph of the headstone of Leonard Matlovich in the Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C. The stone is black granite set against a background of white headstones. There is an American flag on the left side of the stone and a yellow flower at the base of the stone. The text on the stone reads: "A Gay Vietnam Veteran -- when I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men- and a discharge for loving one." At the top of the stone on the left is: "Never again 6, July 1943" and on the right is: "Never forget 22 June 1988." Above each of the dates is a pink triangle, which refers to the pink triangles used by the Nazis to mark gay prisoners in concentration camps. Text on the postcard verso reads: “Grave of Leonard Matlovich, the Gay Vietnam Veteran, photographed August 15, 1993, at the historic Congressional Cemetery, Washington, DC. Leonard chose this monument for his grave while he was dying of AIDS."
Copyright:
This item may be under copyright protection; contact the copyright owner for permission before re-use.
Extent:
1 postcard : 10 x 15 cm
Provenance:
Purchase; Michael Zwerdling; 2004; 04-22.
Technique:
color
NLM Unique ID:
9918402272406676 (See catalog record)
NLM Image ID:
D06258
OCLC no.:
1370214071
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918402272406676