Stonewall riots

The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBT community in response to a police raid that began in the early hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. These riots are widely considered to constitute the most important event leading to the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBT rights in the United States.

Background

In the 1960s, the LGBT community in the United States faced an anti-gay legal system. 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 State Liquor Authority penalized and shut down establishments that served alcohol to known or suspected LGBT individuals, arguing that the mere gathering of homosexuals was "disorderly."

The Stonewall Inn

The Stonewall Inn, located at 53 Christopher Street, was a popular gathering place for the LGBT community. It was owned by the Mafia, which bribed police to ignore the activities occurring within. The bar was known for its welcoming atmosphere, especially for the most marginalized people in the gay community, including drag queens, transgender people, effeminate young men, butch lesbians, and homeless youth.

The Raid

In the early hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn. Raids on gay bars were routine in the 1960s, but on this occasion, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back. The police arrested employees and patrons, but a crowd gathered outside the bar, and tensions quickly escalated. The situation erupted into violent protests that lasted for six days.

The Riots

The first night of the riots saw the most intense violence. Patrons and sympathizers threw objects at the police, who barricaded themselves inside the bar. The Tactical Patrol Force of the New York City Police Department was called in to disperse the crowd, but the protests continued for several more nights. The riots were a catalyst for the formation of gay rights organizations, including the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance.

Aftermath and Legacy

The Stonewall riots are considered a turning point in the fight for LGBT rights. In the aftermath, numerous LGBT rights organizations were founded, and the first Pride marches were held in several cities on the first anniversary of the riots. The Stonewall Inn was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000 and a National Monument in 2016.

See also

• LGBT history
• Gay liberation
• Pride parade
• Harvey Milk
• Sylvia Rivera
• Marsha P. Johnson

Further reading

• LGBT literature
• History of LGBT rights in the United States