Published on June 11, 2024 by The City Life Org
Violin owned by Tyler Clementi (1991–2010); manufactured by Roderich Paesold (Buebenreuth, Germany, est. 1848). Violin and bow, 2000. Violin: wood (spruce, maple, ebony, rosewood), metal strings; bow: pernambuco wood, ebony frog with nickel and mother-of-pearl, silver wire, horsehair. Gift of the Clementi Family, 2024.10.1–2. (Photo: Glenn Castellano, New-York Historical Society). Jacket owned by Frank Kameny (1925–2011); manufactured by the Fabric Garment Company; issued by the US Military. US Army Ike jacket, 1944–45. Wool, cotton, thread, plastic, paint, metal. On loan from Mitchell Gold (Photo: Glenn Castellano, New-York Historical Society)
The New-York Historical Society commemorates Pride Month this year with the public display of the violin of Tyler Clementi, whose suicide in 2010 inspired anti-bullying movements, and the military uniform of early LGBTQ+ rights activist Frank Kameny. Both objects, which are on view beginning June 14, honor the legacies of two men who greatly impacted the LGBTQ+ community.
“Though they were born many decades apart, Frank Kameny and Tyler Clementi both faced discrimination and prejudice, a reminder that the quest for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community is ongoing,” said Louise Mirrer, president and CEO, New-York Historical. “These unique objects are a testament to the lives both men lived, and we are especially honored to have them on display at New-York Historical.”
“I am so pleased that Tyler’s very cherished violin has finally found a home, especially in the city that Tyler most enjoyed visiting…to see shows, hear concerts, and enjoy artwork and artifacts,” said Jane Clementi, Tyler’s mom and co-founder and CEO of the Tyler Clementi Foundation. “By having Tyler’s violin on display we are hoping that Tyler’s story will continue to foster healthy conversations around the difficult topics of mental health, including bullying, depression, and suicide. And help to inspire and change social norms, pushing issues of inclusion, equality, respect, kindness, and compassion to be a cultural standard rather than the exception, something that was too slow in coming for Tyler, but something we are still looking to see implemented now, before any other Tylers are harmed.”
“I’m so honored that I was able to help New-York Historical put on this special Pride installation through the loan of Frank Kameny’s military uniform which has so much significance, and introducing Jane Clementi to the institution,” said Mitchell Gold. “Frank was one of the most noteworthy pioneers, a determined conscious leader of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. I was so privileged to have met Frank in his later years. I never had that privilege to meet Tyler, but in some ways, it feels like I knew him because I’ve known his wonderful, warm mother for many years now. I feel like if he were here today, we could hear him playing his violin with a winsome smile of satisfaction knowing the impact he’s had on making ‘it gets better’ a reality for so many.”
Franklin Kameny, born in New York City in 1925, served in the US Army in Europe during World War II. He later became an astronomer with the Army Map Service in 1957 but was fired when his superiors discovered he had previously been accused of “lewd and indecent acts,” a charge that was often used to hound gay men out of government service jobs. Kameny fought back through the legal system, bringing his case all the way to the Supreme Court. Though the court declined to hear the case in 1961, it is considered the first civil rights appeal based on sexual orientation. Kameny went on to co-found the Washington, DC, branch of the Mattachine Society and dedicated the rest of his life to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. He died in 2011.
Tyler Clementi grew up in New Jersey. A gifted violinist, he began playing when he was seven years old and was one of only two freshmen accepted into the Rutgers University graduate school orchestra in 2010. Shortly after he began classes at Rutgers, he was targeted in a cyberbullying incident, when his roommate violated his privacy by sharing imagery of Clementi and another man in their dorm room. A few days later, Clementi died by suicide at the age of 18. His death, along with the suicides of other young gay individuals, helped inspire the “It Gets Better” Project which aims to empower LGBTQ+ youth. Today, the Tyler Clementi Foundation works to protect vulnerable populations, especially LGBTQ+ communities and others facing hostile social environments.
A special event will take place at New-York Historical on June 14 to welcome the objects on display.