Stonewall riots
Stonewall Riots
Basic Facts:
On June 28, 1969, a group of homosexual customers began to grow angry at the police that was harassing them. At this time, New York had laws that prohibited homosexuality in public and therefore allowed gay establishments to be raided very frequently. In 1969,in was not acceptable to be gay, so the LGBT community could not be open about who they were. They were sick of being raided and told to hide who they are and that is why the Stonewall Riot occurred in Greenwich, NY, at a gay bar called Stonewall Inn. Although the police legally had the right at the time to raid the bar, the gay community inside, were not going to take it any longer. The police department had been targeting gay clubs so they could find a way to shut them down and a majority of them had been closed.
After the police had invaded the bar, they arrested arrested some Stonewall employees while a crowd watched. Although, a group of gay men grew very angry after three drag queens and a lesbian were forced into the back of the police vehicle. The riot suddenly broke out and more gay men and women arrived the help and stand up against the policemen. This quickly got out of hand and the officers had no control left. They had to take cover inside the building as the men and women began to throw objects at the police officers and shouting "GAY POWER!". The police had to call for backup to try and control the riot. Once they arrived, they then started to viciously beat the crowd, even though the riot started with the police. Finally, the police called a riot control quad to disperse the crowd, after they had been rioting for hours now. This was not even close to being the end, however. The LGBT community had returned even larger the next night to fight for their rights! This crowd reached over 1000 people all wanting the exact same thing. Over the next few days, more riots and protests took place, varying in intensity.
- Were violent, spontaneous demonstrations from the LGBT community against police raids on June 28th, 1969.
- Took place outside of Stonewall Inn, a bar in the city of New York (hence the name Stonewall Riots).
- The Stonewall Riots were the beginning of the international gay rights movement.
- The riots took place on June 28th, 1969 and were a response to a law declaring homosexual relations illegal.
- Supported the belief that the LGBT should have equal rights as everyone else and be able to make their own decisions without government or public intervention and discrimination.
On June 28, 1969, a group of homosexual customers began to grow angry at the police that was harassing them. At this time, New York had laws that prohibited homosexuality in public and therefore allowed gay establishments to be raided very frequently. In 1969,in was not acceptable to be gay, so the LGBT community could not be open about who they were. They were sick of being raided and told to hide who they are and that is why the Stonewall Riot occurred in Greenwich, NY, at a gay bar called Stonewall Inn. Although the police legally had the right at the time to raid the bar, the gay community inside, were not going to take it any longer. The police department had been targeting gay clubs so they could find a way to shut them down and a majority of them had been closed.
After the police had invaded the bar, they arrested arrested some Stonewall employees while a crowd watched. Although, a group of gay men grew very angry after three drag queens and a lesbian were forced into the back of the police vehicle. The riot suddenly broke out and more gay men and women arrived the help and stand up against the policemen. This quickly got out of hand and the officers had no control left. They had to take cover inside the building as the men and women began to throw objects at the police officers and shouting "GAY POWER!". The police had to call for backup to try and control the riot. Once they arrived, they then started to viciously beat the crowd, even though the riot started with the police. Finally, the police called a riot control quad to disperse the crowd, after they had been rioting for hours now. This was not even close to being the end, however. The LGBT community had returned even larger the next night to fight for their rights! This crowd reached over 1000 people all wanting the exact same thing. Over the next few days, more riots and protests took place, varying in intensity.
Photograph of Police Violence and Intervention during Photograph of Violent Police Forces during Stonewall
Stonewall Riots, 1969, News Junkie Post. Riots, 1969, Vintage Everyday.
Stonewall Riots, 1969, News Junkie Post. Riots, 1969, Vintage Everyday.
These protests led to people coming together to support the gay community and gay rights. It began to make people more aware of the LGBT community and the rights they deserve. It did not, however, magically destroy homophobia, but it did help spread the word and get movements going. Intense discussion started to occur about this issue and within 2 years of the event, gay groups had been started almost everywhere in the United States. Organizations such as Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Gay-Liberation Front, and Human Rights Campaign were formed. People today, in 2016, are still remembering the events that occurred by Stonewall Inn. The renovated Stonewall Inn still exists in New York.