The origins of the LGBT right’s movement are usually closely associated with Western United States movements. Cities like San Diego and San Francisco are usually two of the more popular “pre-conceived” notions for LGBT right’s movements. However, upon more careful examination it has come to my attention that there exists an often-overlooked city that can arguably be considered the forerunner for LGBT. The Stonewall riots that occurred in September of 1969 are considered as the event that got the ball rolling with LGBT right’s movements in mainstream media. This can partially be attributed to the amount of media coverage it received at the time. The 1960’s were a hectic time period, which consisted of various movements including the civil rights movement, the 60’s counterculture, and the anti-Vietnam movement. It is only logical for an event of this importance and of this magnitude to occur during an error in which civil liberties were expanding at a rapid pace.
It is not the actions that occurred during the riot that give the event importance but rather the repercussions that occurred as a result of these actions afterwards. It’s important to note that this was not the first backlash from the LGBT community, others had happened previously but they were not of the same order of magnitude. The following excerpt explains with perfection the logic and reasoning behind the importance, “What, then, was so special about Stonewall…First, it electrified the gay and lesbian activists who would lead a historic wave of community organizing…Within a month of the riots the GLF had been formed…As the 70's wore on, new groups proliferated in major cities and at colleges and universities. Stonewall turned what had been a cautious and invisible campaign aimed at improving the public image of homosexuals into a mass movement that would take the issue of gay rights into the mainstream of American life….Second, Stonewall brought mass GLBT visibility. Previously there had been no such thing as "coming out." Gays and lesbians lived in the closet, unseen. Stonewall marked the beginning of a decisive shift in consciousness, when gays and lesbians in ever increasing numbers affirmed their sexuality as healthy and natural. Coming out came to be seen as an ethical and political imperative….Third, after Stonewall, a broad political program began to take shape. Raids on gay bars were met with spirited demonstrations until they stopped. The GAA launched a drive for laws to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Politicians began campaigning for the gay vote (Gorton, 2009).” While this quote was lengthy it illustrates the main points as to why New York City was host to the event that sparked the powder keg that is and was the LGBT movement. New York City gave the LGBT the initial moment needed to spark a mainstream movement in America. An important side fact is that coincidentally the LGBT parade that occurs every year in NYC coincides with the anniversary of the riots, as a testament to their importance (Robinson, 2011).
The Stonewall riots served as a springboard that would over a 40-year period, culminate in one of the most triumphant and monumental wins for the LGBT community in 2011 with the legalization of gay marriage in NYS. The importance of this legalization can only be expressed via the following quote taken from a LGBT person for an article summarizing, “Without a sanction by the state, it's nothing…It's kind of like we just live together. That $40 piece of paper is paramount to the safety of our family (Warner, 2011)." Essentially from their perspective it validates their marriage and provides them with a certain comfort of mind.
Christopher Street is the location in which the riots begun, and the Stonewall Inn were raided. Christopher Park is located on Christopher Street, and it was initiated in 1983, but renovated with new gates, benches, lampposts, and walkways, which was then reopened in 1986. George Segal, an important American artist in the 20th century made several noteworthy pieces in public collections and major museums. Segal proved his conception for Gay Liberation through his work located in Christopher Park. There are four figures located in this park that have significant meaning to the LGBT movement. There are two standing males, and two seated females, which appear in easy natural looking poses (Christopher Park Highlights: NYC Parks). When stumbling upon these statues in class I found them impressively powerful to the gay community. It gives the LGBT community a sense of freedom and comfort in knowing that their way of live is accepted.
We also came across several rainbow flags, in honor of the LGBT community. This is significant in showing the progress of the LGBT community being accepted and that these individuals are able to be who they are and want to be. These flags also show that what the individuals during the Stonewall Riots fought for, what they believed in, and they were able to accomplish acknowledgment and recognition.
The Stonewall Rebellion was the decisive point at which the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has gained identity. It helped to stimulate the gay and lesbian activists who would lead a historic wave of community organizing. These riots and rebellions also mass LGBT visibility and political programs to take shape and help progress the LGBT community. It also helped openly gay leaders rise up and establish profound ideas that would remake the lives of gay people everywhere. Millions of people in the LGBT have continuously come out since these riots, and gay people are now also accepted politically. These rebellions confronted society and due to these remarkable events, history was changed forever.
References
Christopher Park Highlights: NYC Parks. (n.d.). New York City Department of Parks &
Recreation. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/christop
Gorton, D. (2009). Why Stonewall Matters After Forty Years. The Gay & Lesbian Review
Worldwide, 16(4), 6. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/198690892?accountid=28076
Robinson, J. M. (2011, June). The LGBT Movement Springs From the Stonewall Riots.
State Magazine, (557), 9. Retrieved October 17, 2013, from Academic OneFile
Warner, G. (2011, Jun 28). Embracing a Long-Sought Liberation. Buffalo News. Retrieved
from http://search.proquest.com/docview/873965650?accountid=28076