June 29, 1969 - Stonewall Riots - a podcast by Stephen Hammond

End to New York’s Stonewall Riots heralds start of modern gay rights. Before the 1970s, the sexual activities of American gays and lesbians were either illegal or socially shunned. Few legal protections applied to them, and discrimination and harassment abounded. Police frequently raided gay bars, after which newspapers would publish the names and photos of arrestees, with tragic results for these individuals’ lives. June 27, 1969 made history, however, when some patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Manhattan, fought back rather than cooperate with New York City police during a raid. As word spread, more gay men were drawn to the scene, which became a full-blown riot. Leaders of New York City’s gay community initially hoped the disturbance would end quickly, because the Stonewall Inn had less than a stellar reputation, and they feared the riots would set back the progress they’d made on gay rights. But the city’s drag queens and others would hear none of it. When it was all over on June 29, 1969, a new era of gay and lesbian rights emerged. Today, Stonewall festivals are held around the world to commemorate those who stood up for their rights.

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