Stonewall Riots Fifty Years Later
In honor of the Stonewall Riots that occurred in the June of 1969, the month of June has officially been declared as the "Month of LGBT Pride."
The Stonewall Riots occurred in New York City on June 28, 1969. The New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club that was located in Greenwich Village. The police raid angered many bar patrons and neighborhood residents because of the mistreatment that the patrons were dealt with by the police. The police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar. This led to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement around the area. The Stonewall Riots served as a spark for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
The 1960s was not a welcoming time for LGBT Americans. There were many laws and statutes that made same-sex relations illegal in New York City, and there was a crimninal statute that allowed police to arrest people wearing less than three gender-appropriate articles of clothing. Because of this, individuals a part of the LGBT community went to gay bars and clubs, where they could express themselves openly. The authorities were not welcoming of these "clubs." The city refused to give business permits or alcohol permits for any establishments that were suspected of such activities. Because of this, mafias often ran these establishments. This specific one was run by the Genovese family.
Although the Stonewall Riot did not start the gay rights movement, it was a galvanizing force for political activism for the LGBT community. It allowed to the founding of many gay rights organizations, such as the Gay Liberation Front, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), and PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
The Stonewall Riots occurred in New York City on June 28, 1969. The New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club that was located in Greenwich Village. The police raid angered many bar patrons and neighborhood residents because of the mistreatment that the patrons were dealt with by the police. The police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar. This led to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement around the area. The Stonewall Riots served as a spark for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
The 1960s was not a welcoming time for LGBT Americans. There were many laws and statutes that made same-sex relations illegal in New York City, and there was a crimninal statute that allowed police to arrest people wearing less than three gender-appropriate articles of clothing. Because of this, individuals a part of the LGBT community went to gay bars and clubs, where they could express themselves openly. The authorities were not welcoming of these "clubs." The city refused to give business permits or alcohol permits for any establishments that were suspected of such activities. Because of this, mafias often ran these establishments. This specific one was run by the Genovese family.
Although the Stonewall Riot did not start the gay rights movement, it was a galvanizing force for political activism for the LGBT community. It allowed to the founding of many gay rights organizations, such as the Gay Liberation Front, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), and PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
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