Stonewall Riots

Definition

The Stonewall Riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, in June 1969. This event is widely regarded as the catalyst that launched the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States and around the world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Stonewall Riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations that began on June 28, 1969, after police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village neighborhood.
2. The riots were a response to the long history of police harassment and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, who were often targeted in raids and denied basic civil rights.
3. The Stonewall Riots are widely considered the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, as they inspired LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to organize and advocate for equal rights and social acceptance.
4. The riots were led by prominent figures in the LGBTQ+ community, including Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Stormé DeLarverie, who played a crucial role in sparking the uprising.
5. The Stonewall Riots marked a significant shift in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, as the community moved from a focus on private, closeted activism to more public, confrontational forms of protest and civil disobedience.

Review Questions

• Describe the events and circumstances that led to the Stonewall Riots.
  • The Stonewall Riots were sparked by a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village, on June 28, 1969. This raid was part of a long history of police harassment and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, who were often targeted in raids and denied basic civil rights. The patrons of the Stonewall Inn, led by prominent figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, responded to the raid with spontaneous demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience, marking a significant turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
• Analyze the impact of the Stonewall Riots on the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States.
  • The Stonewall Riots are widely regarded as the catalyst that launched the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States and around the world. Prior to the riots, the LGBTQ+ community had largely focused on private, closeted activism, but the events at Stonewall inspired LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to organize and advocate for equal rights and social acceptance through more public, confrontational forms of protest and civil disobedience. The Stonewall Riots marked a significant shift in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, as the community moved from a defensive posture to a more assertive and visible stance, leading to the creation of influential LGBTQ+ organizations, the annual Pride celebrations, and the eventual passage of landmark civil rights legislation.
• Evaluate the role of the Stonewall Riots in challenging systemic discrimination and police brutality against the LGBTQ+ community.
  • The Stonewall Riots were a direct response to the long history of police harassment and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, who were often targeted in raids and denied basic civil rights. The spontaneous demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience that erupted during the Stonewall Riots marked a significant turning point, as the LGBTQ+ community shifted from a defensive posture to a more assertive and visible stance in challenging systemic discrimination and police brutality. The Stonewall Riots inspired LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to organize and advocate for equal rights, leading to the creation of influential LGBTQ+ organizations, the annual Pride celebrations, and the eventual passage of landmark civil rights legislation. By confronting the oppressive systems that targeted the LGBTQ+ community, the Stonewall Riots played a crucial role in advancing the broader struggle for social justice and human rights.

Related terms

LGBTQ+ Rights Movement: The LGBTQ+ rights movement is a global social and political movement that advocates for the civil rights, protections, and social acceptance of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minorities.

Police Brutality: Police brutality refers to the use of excessive or unnecessary force by law enforcement officers against civilians, often targeting marginalized communities such as racial minorities and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Civil Disobedience: Civil disobedience is the active, public, and nonviolent refusal to comply with certain laws or government demands, often as a form of protest or to bring attention to a cause.