Join us for this special webinar that will examine Craig Rodwell’s long presence in Greenwich Village, his influence in the events that shaped an emerging culture, and the values he helped to cultivate in the movement.

Craig Rodwell is an unheralded yet pivotal figure in the militant gay rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Award-winning journalist John Van Hoesen explores cities grappling with social change, while highlighting Craig Rodwell’s transformative impact in his new book Insist That They Love You.The book traces Rodwell’s journey from a complicated childhood in a Christian Science boarding school and turbulent teenage years to his prominent role as an activist in adulthood. 

Founder of the first bookstore of its kind dedicated to gay and lesbian literature – the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop – Rodwell played a crucial role in the early protests for gay rights, the Stonewall Riots, and the inaugural pride march of 1970. The book also thoughtfully considers the trajectory of Rodwell’s tumultuous personal life, including his relationship with Harvey Milk.

John Van Hoesen is a writer, researcher, and lifelong journalist, currently exploring early but less visible champions of the gay liberation movement. His biography of the gay activist Craig Rodwell is the 2026 recipient of an Independent Press Award, a National Indie Excellence Award, and a finalist award in the American Book Fest competition. He also has had an award-winning career in public broadcasting and print journalism spanning several decades. He lives in Vermont.