Stonewall

= = =Stonewall=

Background
==== Stonewall Inn was a gay bar located in Greenwich Village, New York City. In this area, a man named Detective Inspector Pine led the police squad. On the night of June 27, 1969, Pine led his men into the bar for some routine arrests. This was a regular occurrence, for in New York, there were laws prohibiting homosexuals from being openly gay. Places that housed openly gay members, or were owned by gay citizens were regularly raided and shut down. This applied to all gay businesses or establishments. Laws like these made most gays and lesbians ashamed of who they really were, and scared to be with the people they were attracted to. ====

The Raids
==== The police squads had begun raiding bars as gays began to voice their opinions and stand up for their rights. Also, to enforce a law stating that no more than three gay citizens could be in a bar at one time. Pine led his men into the Stonewall Inn and started to arrest multiple homosexuals and drag queens. They had assumed the people they were arresting would not resist, for this is how most homosexuals reacted to injustice before. During the Stonewall raids however, people fought back against the police. Rioters protested by throwing bricks, stones, bottles, and coins at the police squad. They also jeered at the police and set fire to trash cans. The police were overwhelmed and had to call in reinforcement from the Tactical Patrol Squad, a riot management group. During the Stonewall raids, many people were injured, including four policeman. Some homosexuals at the bar, were also wounded due to police brutality. They were beaten by the police squad and others were bashed in by their billy clubs. The following nights, police and and many homosexual protestors returned for additional raids. ====

Effect
==== Stonewall made a big impact on the gay community, ultimately starting the Gay Rights Movement. For example, right after the raids, homosexuals started the GLF, or Gay Liberation Front. This group endeavored to end laws and hate towards people based on gender preference. GLF even put together a gay pride week to honor the first anniversary of Stonewall (June 1970). In New York City, around 10,000 homosexuals marched for gay rights during Gay Pride Week. Others marched in Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Fransisco, to commemorate the Stonewall raids. These were the first gay pride parades ever in the history of the United States. The Stonewall riots also created a lot of discussions and conversations throughout the New York community. They inspired a New York magazine titled "Gay." Furthermore, "Stonewall" enters the gay vocabulary, meaning taking a stand and fighting for equality. Two years after the riots almost every big city had some kind of gay rights group. The Stonewall riots triggered a new era where homosexuals fought together for equality and justice. ====