Stonewall Museum Unveils Harvey Fierstein’s Tony Award Robe in Historic Display

Stonewall Museum Unveils Harvey Fierstein’s Tony Award Robe in Historic Display

Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library (SNMAL), one of the nation's leading historical institutions fighting to protect LGBTQ+ rights, and proudly showcases an iconic addition to its expansive collection of LGBTQ+ memorabilia- the Broadway ‘Torch Song Trilogy’ robe worn by award-winning actor, playwright, screenwriter, and recent 2025 Lifetime Achievement Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. 

“As one of the first openly gay celebrities in the U.S., Fierstein has helped transform how Americans see LGBTQ+ life. He helped make it recognizable, not exotic. His contemporary storytelling, enjoyed by millions globally, made us seem like relatives, friends, and neighbors,” said Robert Kesten, SNMAL’s President and CEO. “His work proves that our community is very much like other communities in our society, and his unabashed acceptance of his identity serves as a reminder of community strength during our ongoing battle with people elected to protect us.” 

 

Released in 1982 and written by Fierstein after years of discrimination for his sexual orientation, ‘Torch Song Trilogy’ tells the story of Arnold Beckoff, a gay Jewish drag queen and torch singer living in 70s and 80s New York City longing for love and acceptance while overcoming societal hatred (including the murder of his partner). The play went on to win Fierstein several awards, including two Tony Awards (Best Play, Best Actor), two Drama Desk Awards (Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Actor in a Play), and the Theatre World Award. 

 

Kesten added, “‘Torch Song Trilogy’ broke incredible ground in the theater world, challenging audiences both straight and gay to sympathize with someone they simply never thought about before. It paved the way for greater LGBTQ+ representation in film, television and theatre, though there is still much to be done. Fierstein’s message is still all too relevant as we fight back against national efforts to dehumanize our community. We are grateful for the opportunity to preserve this piece of history and highlight Fierstein’s legacy in our archives for all.”

 

To learn more about SNMAL, visit: 

https://stonewall-museum.org/ 

 

About Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library:

Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library is one of the largest and most significant LGBTQ+ museums and archives and has carried the name Stonewall for more consecutive years than any other organization in the world. For more than five decades, SNMAL has fought for equality by tirelessly releasing powerful messages, hosting dynamic events, launching a solutions-driven task force in Washington DC, mobilizing educators in its national education project, recognizing leaders and heroes and providing an inexhaustible historic record of achievements, even in the face of prejudice and hate. SNMAL houses millions of pages of records and materials available to the media, drawing direct lines from our nation’s history to today. 

 

Human Rights Advocate and SNMAL President & CEO Robert Kesten’s advocacy has taken many forms, working on the Ghanaian Constitution, coordinating and producing events leading to Ukrainian independence, producing events for the first AIDS day treatment center in the nation, pushing for the decriminalization of homosexuality in Ukraine (the first Soviet Republic to do so), challenging book banning, LGBTQIA+ inclusion in schools and navigating anti-LGBTQ sentiments. Kesten also worked on the West Bank during the Intifada and was brought into Egypt and Tunisia during the Arab Spring to try and establish human rights cities.  

 

Robert Kesten often shares his expert perspective with national and local media, including Reuters, Associated Press, ABC Miami, Philadelphia Inquirer, Miami Herald OpEds (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), South Florida Sun Sentinel OpEds (1, 2, 3),  The Advocate, National Geographic, South Florida PBS, Global Peace Alliance, Washington Press, Herald-Tribune, CBNation ,CBSMiami and many more.

 

Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library houses millions of pages of records and materials drawing direct lines from our nation’s history to today.