Biological Gender: Male
Self-Identification: Gay man
Orientation: Homosexual
Known For: Longtime civil rights activist; one of the few white, gay male elders involved with numerous movements including civil rights, anti-war, ACT UP, and early gay liberation
Early Life and Background
Bob Kohler was born in Brooklyn, New York, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he became active in a range of progressive political causes, including:
Black civil rights
Anti-war protests
Prisoners’ rights
Animal rights
He later became heavily involved in gay liberation following the events of Stonewall, though his activism had already begun in various forms prior to that.
Role at Stonewall
Lived nearby and visited the site during the following days of the uprising
Helped mobilize support during the ongoing confrontations with police
Was deeply involved in the formation of post-Stonewall organizations, such as the Gay Liberation Front (GLF)
Activism and Contributions
After Stonewall, Kohler dedicated his life to activism across several issues:
Gay Liberation Front (GLF): A founding member
ACT UP: Active in protests surrounding the AIDS epidemic
Trans and homeless rights: Advocated for marginalized people, often defending street queens and drag performers
Frequently appeared at Pride events, protests, and community actions well into his 70s
Though openly gay, Kohler did not support the sanitization of Pride into a corporate-friendly event and frequently called out hypocrisy in both the right and left.
Relationship to Trans Narratives
Bob Kohler was personally close with figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, and supported their work. However:
He referred to them as street queens, not “trans women”
He was critical of historical revisionism, according to multiple interviews
He never claimed Stonewall was started by “trans women of color”, a phrase that only gained traction years after his passing
In a 2001 interview, he expressed concern over mainstream LGBTQ groups rewriting history to make it more palatable to donors and media.
Why Bob Kohler Matters
One of the few documented, consistent activists who participated in both the Stonewall aftermath and later LGBTQ+ struggles
Served as a bridge between generations, providing oral histories and correcting inaccuracies
A rare case of someone whose activism was broad, sustained, and grounded in reality — not myth
Works Cited
The Village Voice. Michael Clancy, “Bob Kohler, Gay Rights Pioneer, 1926–2007.” villagevoice.com
Documents Kohler’s WWII service (“lost a kidney in World War II”), role as Stonewall veteran, founding of GLF, involvement in ACT UP and DASIS Watch, and lifelong street-level activism.
amNY. Paul Schindler, “Bob Kohler, 81, a gay activist for the underdogs.” amny.com
Confirms his birth date (May 17, 1926), WWII Navy service and illness, commitment to homeless and HIV-positive youth, and his unwavering dedication in late life.
Workers World. Imani Henry, “Bob Kohler: Stonewall vet, AIDS activist, anti-racist fighter,” Dec 13, 2007. workers.org
Offers a comprehensive obituary describing his founding of GLF, early work with CORE and civil rights, role in ACT UP, prison solidarity actions, and street funeral after his death.