10.2 The Stonewall Riots and the rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement
4 min read•august 13, 2024
The of 1969 marked a turning point in LGBTQ+ history. This violent clash between police and patrons of a New York City gay bar sparked a new era of activism and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.
In the years following Stonewall, LGBTQ+ activists organized, protested, and demanded equal rights. Their efforts led to increased public awareness, shifting attitudes, and the gradual emergence of pride celebrations and advocacy groups across the country.
Stonewall Riots and LGBTQ+ Rights
Events and Significance
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- The Stonewall Riots erupted on June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village neighborhood
- Patrons and local residents fought back against the police harassment and brutality
- The riots continued for several days and involved violent clashes between protesters and police
- Marked a significant shift from the more passive resistance tactics previously employed by LGBTQ+ activists
- Stonewall catalyzed the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, galvanizing the community to organize, protest, and demand equal rights and societal acceptance on a larger scale than ever before
- The first Gay Pride marches took place in cities across the United States on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in June 1970 (New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago)
- Established a tradition of annual pride celebrations and demonstrations
- The Stonewall Inn was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2000 and a National Monument in 2016
- Recognizes its significance in American history and the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights
Impact on LGBTQ+ Visibility and Activism
- The Stonewall Riots and the subsequent rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement increased visibility and public awareness of LGBTQ+ issues
- Forced American society to confront and reevaluate its attitudes towards gender and sexuality
- Media coverage of the riots and the growing LGBTQ+ rights movement, although often initially negative or sensationalized, brought the struggle for equality into the national spotlight
- Sparked public debate about LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance
- The increased visibility and activism of the LGBTQ+ community in the post-Stonewall era contributed to a gradual shift in public opinion
- Growing support for LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in American society
- Despite progress, the impact of Stonewall and the LGBTQ+ rights movement on public perception has been gradual and uneven
- Ongoing challenges and resistance from conservative and religious groups opposed to LGBTQ+ equality
LGBTQ+ Leaders Post-Stonewall
Activists and Organizers
- and , two transgender women of color, were prominent figures in the Stonewall Riots
- Later co-founded the (STAR) to advocate for transgender rights and provide support for homeless LGBTQ+ youth
- , known as the "Mother of Pride," organized the first Gay Pride march in New York City in 1970
- Played a key role in establishing the annual pride celebrations that followed
Organizations and Groups
- The (GLF) formed in the immediate aftermath of Stonewall
- Became one of the first organized groups to challenge societal norms and advocate for LGBTQ+ liberation through confrontational tactics and protests
- The (GAA) split from the GLF in late 1969
- Focused on more targeted, single-issue campaigns and lobbying efforts to secure legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals
- The , later renamed the National LGBTQ Task Force, was founded in 1973
- Serves as a national advocacy organization for the LGBTQ+ community, working to influence public policy and opinion
Strategies for LGBTQ+ Activism
Public Demonstrations and Direct Action
- LGBTQ+ activists organized public demonstrations, marches, and protests to increase visibility, challenge societal norms, and demand equal rights
- Annual Gay Pride events and the 1979 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights
- Activists engaged in direct action and civil disobedience, such as sit-ins, kiss-ins, and disruptions of government meetings and hearings
- Confronted discrimination and drew attention to LGBTQ+ issues
Lobbying and Alliance Building
- LGBTQ+ organizations lobbied politicians and government agencies to repeal discriminatory laws and policies, secure legal protections, and increase funding for LGBTQ+ health and social services
- Activists worked to build alliances with other social justice movements, such as the civil rights, women's liberation, and anti-war movements
- Recognized the intersectionality of their struggles and the need for solidarity
Public Education and Media Representation
- LGBTQ+ activists and organizations engaged in public education campaigns to challenge stereotypes, increase understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals, and promote positive media representation
- As the movement grew and activists challenged stereotypes, media representation of LGBTQ+ individuals began to shift
- From predominantly negative portrayals to more nuanced and sympathetic depictions in news, television, and film (The Boys in the Band, Philadelphia)
Impact of Stonewall on Public Perception
Shifting Attitudes and Growing Support
- The Stonewall Riots and the rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement led to increased visibility and public awareness of LGBTQ+ issues
- Forced American society to confront and reevaluate its attitudes towards gender and sexuality
- The increased visibility and activism of the LGBTQ+ community in the post-Stonewall era contributed to a gradual shift in public opinion
- Growing support for LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in American society
Ongoing Challenges and Resistance
- Despite progress, the impact of Stonewall and the LGBTQ+ rights movement on public perception has been gradual and uneven
- Ongoing challenges and resistance from conservative and religious groups opposed to LGBTQ+ equality (Anita Bryant's "Save Our Children" campaign, the Moral Majority)
- Media coverage of the riots and the growing LGBTQ+ rights movement, although often initially negative or sensationalized, brought the struggle for equality into the national spotlight
- Sparked public debate about LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance
Key Terms to Review (21)
Brenda Howard: Brenda Howard was an influential activist and is often referred to as the 'Mother of Pride' for her significant role in organizing the first Pride marches following the Stonewall Riots. Her work emphasized the importance of visibility and celebration of LGBTQ+ identities, which were crucial in the aftermath of the riots. Howard's efforts helped solidify the annual observance of Pride events, linking them to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and recognition.
Cisgender: Cisgender refers to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. This term is important in discussions of gender as it highlights the experiences and societal expectations faced by those who fit within the traditional gender binary. Understanding cisgender identities helps illuminate the contrasting experiences of transgender individuals and the broader implications for social norms and historical analysis related to gender dynamics.
Declaration of Sentiments: The Declaration of Sentiments was a pivotal document that emerged from the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, asserting the rights of women and advocating for gender equality. This declaration mirrored the style of the Declaration of Independence and boldly listed grievances against the societal and legal limitations imposed on women, calling for equal treatment in all spheres of life. It became a cornerstone in the fight for women's rights and laid the groundwork for future movements advocating for equality, influencing key figures and events in the struggle for suffrage and rights for marginalized groups.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal: The Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) repeal refers to the legislative action that ended the U.S. military's policy of prohibiting openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the armed forces. This repeal, officially implemented in September 2011, was a significant milestone in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, representing a shift towards greater acceptance and equality within a historically conservative institution. The change in policy not only allowed individuals to serve openly but also reflected the broader societal changes regarding LGBTQ+ rights following pivotal events like the Stonewall Riots.
Gay Activists Alliance: The Gay Activists Alliance (GAA) was a prominent LGBTQ+ rights organization founded in 1969, focused on advocating for gay rights and social acceptance in the wake of the Stonewall Riots. The GAA aimed to create a visible and organized response to anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, emphasizing political activism and public awareness. Their efforts were crucial in shaping the early LGBTQ+ rights movement and reflected changing societal attitudes towards sexuality and gender expression.
Gay liberation front: The Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was a grassroots LGBTQ+ rights organization that emerged in the late 1960s, primarily in response to the Stonewall Riots. It played a pivotal role in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and challenging societal norms regarding sexuality and gender identity, promoting visibility and political activism among the LGBTQ+ community.
Gender identity: Gender identity refers to an individual's personal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. This internal understanding of one's gender can manifest in various ways, including behavior, expression, and social roles. Gender identity is crucial in discussions around social justice, equality, and human rights, especially concerning the LGBTQ+ community and the ongoing struggle for recognition and rights.
Gender studies: Gender studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines how gender influences social structures, cultural norms, and individual experiences. It investigates the ways in which gender identities and roles are constructed, maintained, and challenged within various historical and contemporary contexts, including the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Heteronormativity: Heteronormativity is the societal assumption that heterosexuality is the default, preferred sexual orientation, shaping norms around gender roles, relationships, and sexuality. This concept reinforces the idea that there are only two genders, male and female, and that these genders should align with traditional heterosexual relationships. By normalizing these beliefs, heteronormativity marginalizes and stigmatizes non-heterosexual identities and experiences.
Intersectional feminism: Intersectional feminism is an approach that recognizes how various forms of social stratification, such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and ability, intersect to create unique experiences of oppression and privilege. This perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the complexities of multiple identities in the struggle for gender equality and social justice.
Marriage Equality Act: The Marriage Equality Act refers to legislation that grants same-sex couples the legal right to marry, ensuring that marriage is recognized equally for all individuals regardless of sexual orientation. This act is significant as it represents a milestone in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, promoting social justice and equality under the law, while also challenging traditional views on marriage and family structures.
Marsha P. Johnson: Marsha P. Johnson was a prominent African American transgender activist and drag performer, best known for her significant role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, particularly during and after the Stonewall Riots in 1969. She co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Sylvia Rivera, focusing on the rights and welfare of transgender people and homeless LGBTQ+ youth, which has had lasting effects on the fight for equality and recognition in America.
National Gay Task Force: The National Gay Task Force (NGTF) was a prominent advocacy organization founded in 1973 aimed at fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. It emerged in response to the growing need for organized political activism following the Stonewall Riots, seeking to address discrimination, promote equality, and influence public policy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. The NGTF played a crucial role in mobilizing grassroots efforts and uniting various factions within the movement to create a more cohesive agenda for LGBTQ+ rights.
Non-binary: Non-binary is a gender identity that does not fit within the traditional categories of male or female. It encompasses a spectrum of gender identities that may include aspects of both genders, neither, or other identities entirely. This term challenges the binary understanding of gender, emphasizing that gender is a fluid and complex construct shaped by societal norms and personal experiences.
Pride Parades: Pride parades are public celebrations and demonstrations held to honor and promote LGBTQ+ rights, culture, and identity. These events often feature colorful floats, music, and participants dressed in vibrant attire, serving as a symbol of resistance against discrimination and a platform for visibility. Pride parades have their roots in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, particularly following the Stonewall Riots, which were pivotal in galvanizing activism and community organization within the LGBTQ+ community.
Queer intersectionality: Queer intersectionality refers to the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, sexuality, and class, as they apply to the experiences of queer individuals. It emphasizes how overlapping identities can lead to unique forms of discrimination and privilege, showing that not all queer experiences are the same. This concept is essential for understanding the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community and how various factors shape individual identities and experiences, especially during pivotal events like the Stonewall Riots.
Queer theory: Queer theory is an academic framework that challenges the normative constructs of gender and sexuality, questioning fixed identities and emphasizing fluidity. It looks at how societal norms shape the understanding of what it means to be 'normal' in terms of sexual orientation and gender identity, aiming to deconstruct traditional binaries and highlight the experiences of marginalized communities.
Stonewall Riots: The Stonewall Riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community that took place in June 1969 in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. These events are widely considered a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, marking the beginning of a more organized fight for rights and acceptance.
Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries: Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) was a group founded in 1970 by Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson that focused on advocating for the rights and well-being of marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly those who were transgender or gender non-conforming. This organization emerged in the wake of the Stonewall Riots, during a time when the fight for LGBTQ+ rights was gaining momentum, emphasizing the need for activism that addressed issues such as homelessness, poverty, and discrimination faced by these individuals.
Sylvia Rivera: Sylvia Rivera was a Venezuelan-American transgender activist and a key figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, particularly known for her involvement in the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Her work focused on advocating for the rights of marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender individuals and people of color. Rivera co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Marsha P. Johnson, highlighting the need for support and empowerment among the most vulnerable populations within the movement.
The lavender scare: The lavender scare refers to the period in the 1950s when thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals were persecuted and fired from their government jobs, largely in the United States, due to fears of their alleged ties to communism and their sexual orientation. This state-sanctioned discrimination emerged alongside the red scare, highlighting societal anxieties about both communism and homosexuality, and contributed significantly to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ people during that time. The lavender scare laid the groundwork for future LGBTQ+ activism and was a precursor to the rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, especially following events like the Stonewall Riots.