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View Full Version : Ricci Cortez - a pioneer in our community...



citybutch
06-19-2009, 08:14 PM
Has passed away...

From Lesbian Connection:

"Ricci Cortez, a pioneer in burlesque, passed away in Sept. 3rd, 2008. She was 83.

........... while travelling in Houston, she met her first long term lover Marion. The two were together about 10 years. Then Ricci got involved with Rita Wanstrom, and the two of them were affectionately known as "Mama Bear" and "Papa Bear". Four years into their relationship, Ricci and Rita opened a women's bar in Houston in 1967 called the Roaring Sixties. Over the next few years the bar was raided a number of times by the police, with more butch-looking (sic) women being arrested and hauled away for "wearing clothes of the opposite sex". Rita once said, " a lot of club owners back then said women couldn't come in if they didn't turn their pants around(so the zippers in the back) or wear dresses." After one of the raids, Rita began organizing fundraisers so the women could hire an attorney to fight the local ordinance....."


This is someone who set the stage for our ability to fight for our rights of equal protection. I felt the need to post...

RIP Ricci... You were one hot Momma....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_jWvckvFic

btw, if this is posted elsewhere... my apologies

Onehonestbutch
06-19-2009, 08:54 PM
I knew Papa Bear an Ma Ma Bear in Houston. WOW what memory flashbacks I just had. I am so sorry to hear of this news and death. I truly loved Papa Bear. He took me under his wing as a youngster coming out in my teens. This is so sad to hear about Ricci. Papa Bear opened a bar in the mid 80's that I played softball for . The team was called Swingers. I don't remember the name of the club though. It was in Montrose area of Houston. Houston is my home town. Dang, seeing that youtube of Mama Bear, she still looked the same. RIP RICCI.

citybutch
06-19-2009, 10:10 PM
I didnt know Mama Bear... but had my own Papa Bear mentors.... I grieve the loss of a story our youth will not know....

I think that video is timeless though...