The Stonewall Riots, also known as the Stonewall Uprising, occurred in the early hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York. These riots are widely considered a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
The Stonewall Inn was a haven for marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community, including drag queens, transgender individuals, sex workers, and homeless youth. The bar was owned by the Mafia, which exploited the gay clientele but also provided a rare safe space for them.
At the time, police raids on gay bars were common, often resulting in the arrest of patrons for cross-dressing or other offenses. On June 28, 1969, police officers raided the Stonewall Inn, but this time, the patrons fought back. According to eyewitness accounts, the spark that ignited the riot was when a lesbian woman, possibly Stormé DeLarverie, resisted arrest and called out to the crowd, "Why don't you guys do something?"
The riots continued for five nights, with confrontations between the LGBTQ+ community and the police. The protesters used objects such as bricks, bottles, and garbage cans to fend off the police. The chant, "Gay power!" echoed through the streets, symbolizing a newfound sense of unity and defiance among the LGBTQ+ community.
One lesser-known fact is that the Stonewall riots were not the first instance of LGBTQ+ resistance. For example, the Cooper Do-nuts Riot in Los Angeles in 1959 and the Compton's Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco in 1966 were earlier acts of defiance against police brutality.
In the aftermath of the riots, several activist organizations were formed, including the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA). These groups organized protests, advocated for anti-discrimination laws, and worked to increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ issues.
The first Christopher Street Liberation Day march took place on June 28, 1970, marking the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. This event is considered the genesis of the modern Pride parades held worldwide each June.
In 2016, President Barack Obama designated the Stonewall Inn and surrounding areas as the Stonewall National Monument, recognizing its significance in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.
The Stonewall Riots were a turning point in LGBTQ+ history, transforming the fight for equality into a wide-reaching social movement. The resilience and bravery of the individuals involved continue to inspire generations of activists.