The Stonewall National Monument, a vital landmark of LGBTQ+ history located near the Stonewall Inn in NYC, has recently faced significant changes that have angered activists. The National Park Service website now excludes references to transgender individuals, reducing the acronym LGBTQ+ to just LGB—lesbian, gay, and bisexual. This alteration follows an executive order from former President Trump recognizing only two genders, prompting backlash from LGBTQ+ supporters.
Protests erupted at the site with demonstrators emphasizing that "there is no Pride without Trans folks leading that fight," according to Stacy Lentz, co-owner of The Stonewall Inn. The online revision ignores essential contributions from transgender individuals, infuriating many, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who called the changes "cruel and petty."
Originally designated a national monument by Barack Obama in 2016, the site is a pivotal remembrance of the 1969 Stonewall riots, a landmark moment in the struggle for equality. Activists argue that erasing transgender history not only distorts the actual events but also disrespects the people who fought for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. As protests continue outside, the Stonewall monument remains a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation around inclusivity and representation in historical narratives.
Protests erupted at the site with demonstrators emphasizing that "there is no Pride without Trans folks leading that fight," according to Stacy Lentz, co-owner of The Stonewall Inn. The online revision ignores essential contributions from transgender individuals, infuriating many, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who called the changes "cruel and petty."
Originally designated a national monument by Barack Obama in 2016, the site is a pivotal remembrance of the 1969 Stonewall riots, a landmark moment in the struggle for equality. Activists argue that erasing transgender history not only distorts the actual events but also disrespects the people who fought for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. As protests continue outside, the Stonewall monument remains a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation around inclusivity and representation in historical narratives.
