The June 1969 riots at New York City's Stonewall Inn marked a raucous turning point in the fight for LGBTQ rights. What Happened at the Stonewall Riots? A Timeline of the 1969 Uprising | On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a haven for New York City's gay, lesbian, and transgender community. At the time, homosexual acts were illegal in every state except Illinois, and bars could be shut down for serving gay patrons. Although police raids on gay bars were common, that particular night sparked an uprising that launched a new era of resistance and revolution. | | | | | 7 LGBTQ Uprisings Before Stonewall | Stonewall marked a historic turning point for gay rights, but several smaller uprisings preceded Stonewall as LGBTQ communities pushed back against harassment and inequality. | | | | | In 1966, members of the Mattachine Society staged a "Sip-In" at Julius' bar in Greenwich Village, openly declaring their homosexuality, knowing they'd be denied service. Their demonstrations paved the way for bars like the Stonewall Inn to flourish. Read more. | | | | Fight the Power: The Movements That Changed America | From the labor movement to women's suffrage and gay rights, protest is in the American DNA. Narrated by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Fight the Power looks at the impact these and other movements have had on U.S. history, society and culture.
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