In 1969, during a police raid, the patrons fought back and the Stonewall riots sparked the gay liberation movement in New York City, setting off a tidal wave of activism across the nation.
The majority of the patrons were gay men of color, trans women and drag queens who risked getting arrested for female impersonation. In the 1960’s, the Stonewall Inn was a rundown, Mafia owned NYC establishment that served queer people at a time when gay bars were denied liquor licenses and the LGBTQ+ community had no legal protections.
