Stonewall Riots Research Paper

THE STONEWALL RIOTS The Stonewall riots are widely believed to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBT rights in the United States. Considered by some to be the "Rosa Parks" moment of the gay rights movement in America, the riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid of the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York, in the early hours of June 28th, 1969. This single event has left a resounding impact on the fight for LGBT rights that can still be seen today. Throughout the 50s and 60s in the United States, the FBI along with local police departments kept close watch on what they believed to be "homosexual activity".

While rights organisations such as the Mattachine Society had previously existed, their previous protests and demonstrations had been very carefully controlled. Following Stonewall, however, demonstrations by the Mattachine Society became bolder, gay with couples holding hands and displaying affection publicly. One participant of the Annual Reminder in 1969, an event that involved the Mattachine Society picketing in front of Independance Hall in Philadelphia commented that "It was clear that things were changing. People who had felt oppressed now felt

Rivera was present in the bar at the time of the raid and later gave an account of her experiences. In the years following the riots, she went on to become a prominent activist for LGBT rights, particularly for young people. Rivera and her friend, Marsha P Johnson, opened a shelter for homeless LGBT people, called STAR (Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries). She also became heavily involved with groups such as the Black Panthers and the Young Lords, as well as both the GLF and GAA. Rivera is considered to be one of the most important activists to be involved in the riots, and is referred to by some as the Rosa Parks of the transgender rights