Stonewall 50

Located in the Law Library’s main Reading Room, the #Stonewall50 display commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and highlights the historic and ongoing struggle for gay rights. In the early morning of June 28th 1969, the New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, a well-known safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. The police raid proved to be a pivotal moment in history, leading to massive protests that lasted for days and igniting the fight for LGBTQ+ rights around the world.

The following summer protestors gathered and marched from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in the world’s first Pride Parade. The Pride Parade has become a symbol of both liberation and celebration. It has empowered and given voice to a silenced community.

Today, approximately 122 countries have legalized sexual activity between consenting adults of the same gender and 72 continue to outlaw it. While the U.S. has enacted legislation protect the LGBTQ+ people from discrimination and persecution, the fight continues and equality is not yet guaranteed.

Further titles displayed:

The Stonewall Reader, Edmund White,

After Marriage Equality: The Future of LGBTQ+ Rights, Carlos A. Ball.

The End of Straight Supremacy, Shannon Gilreath

Don’t Tell Me to Wait, Kerry Eleveld

Stand By Me, Jim Downs