september june american witch gay rights activist author founding member form modern pagan new religious movement drew heritage lifetime published number books subjects reading born working class italian american family massachusetts raised roman catholic interested teenager later claimed relatives initiated tradition inherited ancestors conflicts statements independent evidence claim 1950s based new_york_city worked beginning publish books paranormal topics early 1960s publicly began identifying stated involved new_york riots gay man involved gay rights activism member leaving following internal founding member authored regular column gay witch newspaper founded networking organization auspices organized witch took place halloween despite opposition new_york_city parks department campaign civil rights founded anti league later renamed visited england initiated high continued practicing 1990s retreated public life eventually cancer early life youth born september massachusetts raised small farm rented father italian immigrant following economic turmoil great depression forced land moved worcester massachusetts massachusetts leo baptized roman_catholic_church parents divorced soon unable care father sent catholic boarding preparatory school attached worcester run assumption spent years school later describing period life studied age began making radio appearances writing stories magazines later claimed experienced psychic phenomena child sparking interest early teenage years begun studying card reading gypsy named later claimed father informed grandmother psychic known great witch hometown sicily italy according account worked folk card reader attracted hatred local catholic clergy related occasion killed magic threatened husband paying protection money related father told cousins new_york_city wished meet proceeded according account informed ancient italian religion old religion identifying possession psychic powers initiated tradition 21st birthday making swear oath reveal secrets moving city studied produced proof support claims independent evidence anonymous woman known informed researcher 1980s told initiated tradition simply embraced 1960s order earn living pagan studies scholar expressed criticism claims noting extremely doubtful tradition passed family instead suggested instructed tradition folk magic later embellished form cousins constructed form passed entire scenario new_york_city based new_york_city founded continuing direct organization served treasurer worked freelance corporate clients published column titled tells years ran supplied articles subject different magazines city began frequent gay scene awarded doctorate non organization clearing house registered ministers year founded taking role pastor continue began focus writing new philosophy published book pen personality discussed manner reveal personality writer corresponded california based encouragement anderson established circa claimed summer moved morocco researched history resulting publication cards returning moved apartment new_york_city writing book written stars book psychic protection prevent began attending gatherings operated point high founded church lord lady rose leo acknowledged elder publicly revealed claiming gained permission intent negative publicity receiving published year published hidden world public activism july attended open meeting new_york branch appalled society negative reaction riots gay people audience accepted homosexuality mental illness accusing self proceeded publish thoughts essay stated homosexuality problem problem society attitude gay rights activists rejected approach favored stance police authorities founded elected group supported stance condemned rotten dirty capitalist conspiracy dominated american society volunteered producing articles group newsletter come wider press involved campaign village_voice decision ban word gay advertisements magazine preferred term wanting break previous gay liberation organizations embraced term gay dismissing sounding like nail file structured system consensus difficult group reach conclusions issue heated arguments commonplace meetings november group membership voted provide political financial support armed african american leftist group heavily controversial given nature resulted walk senior members including month invited private meeting members resulted formation continuing emphasis taking approach conventional american society authority group tightly organized structured focused exclusively attaining equal rights gay lesbian people businessman agreed invest new venture newspaper written aimed country gay community launched december gay soon gained readership contributed regular column known gay witch reaching widest audience date variety articles appeared founded issued set explain wider public serve resource contact april appeared documentary series town performing rites assistants year saw new_york substantial gatherings festival arts earth day celebration christopher street gay liberation day parade events inspired desire hold public celebration acting auspices late summer approached new_york_city asking permission hold witch sheep meadow south end october department refused stated community gather regardless capacity private individuals threatened police action gained legal assistance informed breach amendment department subsequently reversed decision event went ahead inspired victory founded organization devoted campaigning religious rights eventually renamed aren authored essay titled witch manifesto likely influenced refugees demanded roman_catholic_church face tribunal crimes committed accused early modern period pay modern community actions decade authored column magazine titled basket pun similarity young gay named contacted requested initiation inexperience religion turned developed friendship introduced initiate long time partner ill medical complications occasion performed healing ritual assistance come known regular store opened new_york met founder decided introduce resulting initiation tradition spring thompson later fell unconfirmed accounts claiming lent money pay october founded tradition termed early initiate taking nemesis tradition turn welcomed tradition initiated degree system november friends craft conference held new_york april moved england months initiated trained degrees sheffield run husband continued encourage acceptance homosexuality pagan community article titled gay pagan magazine expressed view sexually insecure viewed religion simply ritual means prominent male endorse feminist female variants promoted later life 1990s retired public work noted faded prominence head movement tradition gained new public advocate died cancer june estate personal life hungry piercing eyes face dark angel mouth like bear trap described colourful figure known humor described loving man stating know honor challenge noted appearance typically wearing second hand clothes beliefs defended growing rise 1970s criticizing deemed continual repression women pagan movement espoused view pagan involved government military critical espoused division white magic black magic commenting racial overtones advocating view racist aware historians criticized witch cult hypothesis stood claims believing cult passed oral tradition evaded appearing sources studied historians thought lied origins beliefs quoted pagan journalist book drawing moon having stated let assume people lied lineage let assume current scene historical basis fact remains exist claim spiritual lineage going thousands years ancestors publications
Leo Martello