The Stonewall Riots: The Night That Sparked a Movement

June 28, 1969, New York City. A hot summer night, a small bar in Greenwich Village, and a community pushed to its breaking point. What happened over the next six days would ignite a global movement.

What Were the Stonewall Riots?

The Stonewall Riots were a series of spontaneous protests by members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located in Manhattan. While police raids on gay bars were common at the time, something changed that night. The community decided they’d had enough.

In the early hours of June 28, police officers entered the Stonewall Inn to enforce discriminatory laws that criminalized same-sex relationships and cross-dressing. But instead of quietly dispersing, patrons and passersby resisted. Tensions flared. Bottles were thrown. Crowds grew. What followed were six days of protests and clashes with law enforcement.

Why Did It Matter?

The riots didn’t start the 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement, but they became a powerful symbol of resistance and solidarity. Before Stonewall, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals had few safe public spaces and little legal protection. After Stonewall, the fight became louder, more visible, and more unified.

Within a year, the first Christopher Street Liberation Day March, what we now know as Pride, took place to commemorate the uprising. Thousands marched, demanding equal rights and recognition. Today, Pride events around the world trace their roots back to those nights at Stonewall.

Who Was There?

Many activists played crucial roles, but it's important to recognize the contributions of trans women of colour such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. They were among those who stood on the front lines, facing police brutality and societal exclusion, not just for being queer, but for being poor, trans, and people of colour.

Their courage and that of many unnamed others helped shape a more inclusive and intersectional movement.

The Legacy of Stonewall

The Stonewall Riots didn’t solve everything. 2SLGBTQIA+ people still face discrimination, violence, and systemic barriers, especially those at the intersections of race, gender, and class. But Stonewall lit a fire that has never gone out.

It inspired decades of activism, legal challenges, community building, and cultural transformation. And it reminded the world: queer liberation is a right.

Why It Still Matters

As we reflect on Stonewall over 50 years later, we’re reminded that Pride is not just a celebration, it’s a protest. It's a moment to honour the courage of those who fought before us, and a call to action for the rights that are still being denied.

Stonewall was a riot. It was messy. It was brave. And it changed the world.

“No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” – Marsha P. Johnson