Stonewall and the Progress of the LGBTQ Movement

Before Stonewall shows the timeline of important events in the LGBTQ community and how the “approval” of society fluctuates throughout the seventy years that are looked at in this documentary. Up until 1920, no one spoke of sexuality. It was not taught in schools and there was only gossip. This is partially due to the idea the heterosexuality was normal and the only option. At this time, being homosexual meant that there was something wrong with these people and they needed to go to jail or a mental facility. There was no word for gay, it was only a behavior and they were associated with the prostitutes and the men and women of “doubtful virtue”. During the 20s, being gay was still not something people spoke about. Many had been living in isolation but bohemian neighborhoods became
That was very liberating. On June 28, 1969, an event occurred that changed the lives of many people from the
LGBTQ movement. There was severe police brutality occurring in the streets of New York and on that night, the lesbian and gay community decided they were not jus going to keep taking the violence, they were going to fight back. This is not known as the Stonewall Riots. They continued for a few days, but the impact still continues to this day. The spirit carried to the creation of the Gay Rights Movement. The power and respect given to a “movement” allowed the community to finally be taken seriously. This also allowed many more people to join, support, and come together.
Earlier, this year Obama named Stonewall Inn a National Monument. Throughout
Obama’s presidency he has made strides to continue making the United States more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community through a government and law perspective. This, though, is the first
National Historic Site dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community and this gives the community a sense of place and belonging. This shows to those who still may be ignorant, that the