The Stonewall Riots, also known as the Stonewall Uprising, were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community that began in the early hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The riots are widely considered to be one of the most important events leading to the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.
The Stonewall Inn was a popular gathering place for the LGBTQ+ community. At the time, homosexual acts were illegal in every state except Illinois, and bars and restaurants could be shut down for having gay employees or serving gay patrons. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) regularly raided gay bars, but the patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back on this occasion.
The initial raid was conducted by eight officers, but it quickly escalated as a crowd of over 200 people gathered outside. The police arrested 13 people, including employees and patrons. Among those resisting arrest was Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender woman who later became a prominent LGBTQ+ activist.
The confrontation grew violent as the crowd erupted in protest. Bottles, bricks, and other objects were thrown, and the police were forced to take refuge inside the bar. The Tactical Patrol Force (TPF) was called in to disperse the crowd, but the riots continued for several nights with thousands of participants.
A lesser-known fact is that the initial resistance was not solely driven by the desire for gay rights. Many patrons were also reacting to broader issues of police harassment and discrimination that marginalized communities faced on a daily basis. The Stonewall Inn itself was owned by the Mafia, which paid off police officers to ignore its lack of a liquor license and other legal violations. This relationship created a complex dynamic between the mafia, police, and patrons.
In the aftermath of the riots, several LGBTQ+ organizations were formed, including the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance, which sought to build on the momentum generated by the uprising. The first Christopher Street Liberation Day march, considered the precursor to modern Pride parades, took place on June 28, 1970, marking the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
The Stonewall Riots remain a symbol of resistance and have been commemorated through various means, including the designation of the Stonewall Inn as a National Historic Landmark in 2000 and the establishment of the Stonewall National Monument in 2016 by President Barack Obama. These recognitions underscore the significance of the events that unfolded in June 1969 and their lasting impact on the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.