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Unlike many groups that use the name “Gay Liberation Front,” New York’s Gay Activists’ Alliance (GAA) stands out as a one-issue organization dedicated solely to civil rights related to gay rights for both men and women. This commitment means that GAA refrains from engaging in other movements, such as the end-the-war movement, focusing instead on LGBT activism to advance the rights and identity of the gay community.

GAA specifically avoids endorsing any political party or public office candidates, setting itself apart from reformist groups that seek to work within the party system. As an action-oriented group, GAA eschews ideological disputes, believing that the primary task of gay liberationists is to cultivate a strong sense of gay pride, identity, and culture, rejecting the notion of assimilation into the prevailing heterosexual norms. To achieve these aims, GAA promotes the use of militant yet nonviolent confrontation tactics, as discussed in the following article.

Straight oppressors, beware—gays are prepared to zap you! If you’re zapped, it will linger in your memory long after. Expect to be emotionally shaken, garner negative publicity, and possibly face a drawn-out court battle. The ‘zap’ is crafted to evoke just these reactions: to awaken closet gays from their apathy, channel gay anger toward oppressive straight institutions, and foster a widespread sense of gay identity.

The zap tactic was perfected by New York’s Gay Activists’ Alliance, blending the serious principles of realpolitik with the flamboyance of high camp. One notable zap occurred in 1970 in response to a wave of police repression against gays, when various establishments were raided, and open expressions of gay identity faced ridicule and hostility from law enforcement.

Despite the mayor at the time, John Lindsay, being re-elected with support from black and gay voters, GAA's complaints about police harassment went unheeded. Consequently, GAA members decided to zap him during public events. The first zap took place at the Metropolitan Opera’s seasonal opening, where GAA members, disguised in formal attire, confronted the mayor and his wife with shouts of “END POLICE HARASSMENT!” and “GAY POWER!” This unexpected interruption turned a moment of high society into a dramatic display of gay liberation, capturing the attention of onlookers and the media.

A few days later, a similar confrontation occurred at the opening of the Broadway play Two by Two, where Mrs. Lindsay’s angry reaction only underscored the emotional impact that GAA’s actions had on the oppressors. This shift brought GAA to the attention of city officials, eventually leading to meetings with the deputy mayor and a decline in police harassment.

In June 1970, GAA organized an outdoor zap against a member of the New York City Council, Saul Sharison, who had stalled a bill aimed at outlawing discrimination against gays in housing, employment, and public accommodations. The GAA’s efforts culminated in a loud demonstration that pressured Sharison to finally engage in public hearings on the gay rights bill, Intro. 475.

Zapping can also be effective with fewer participants, as demonstrated in 1971 when GAA pressured the district attorney to investigate police harassment against gays in Suffolk County, Long Island. A planned zap at the D.A.’s office aimed to confront the official directly, drawing attention to the issues surrounding police misconduct and oppression. The chaos created by the demonstration ultimately forced a response from the authorities.

Zaps serve as a form of political theater, educating the gay community about their rights and galvanizing them into action. The visibility of these acts challenges the status quo and encourages those who may have been closet gays to reconsider their silence and oppression. In witnessing the reactions from the straight establishment, many begin to realize the necessity of unity and collective action in the face of discrimination.

Gay people, unite! Organize! Resist! The history of LGBT activism is filled with such moments of confrontation, driving forward the movement for civil rights and ensuring that the voices of the gay community are heard.