Manuel garza biography
Manuel garza paintings.
Manuel garza artist
Manuel Garza
Manuel Garza was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1935. He found gay peers in junior high and high school through playing in the school band, but the backdrop of homophobia loomed large: entrapment and raids on parties were commonplace.
On one occasion, Manuel was even questioned by the FBI about a gay friend who was a typist for the federal government. Still in high school, Manuel was kicked out of the house by his alcoholic father. Working checkout at a supermarket to save money, Manuel finally managed to “burn the bridge” behind him and move to New York City at age 22 with just $45 in his pocket.
A friend got Manuel a room with an elderly gay couple, and he worked lots of “little horrible jobs” until he landed in hairdressing.
Manuel Reyna Garza is a Staff Officer of the Mexican Air Force, and a historian and director of the Military Aviation Museum.He volunteered as an activist with the Mattachine Society, working in their office and attending their West Side Discussion Group. He wasn’t present at the Stonewall riots in 1969, but he marched in the first Pride March the following year.
“P