What Stonewall Is and Why It Matters

Stonewall. You’ve probably heard the name thrown around—linked to pride parades, LGBTQ+ history, and the fight for equality. But what does it really mean? What exactly is Stonewall?

For many, the word immediately conjures up images of a particular moment in time: a hot summer night in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, a bar tucked into New York City’s Greenwich Village. This was a space where members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community—mostly marginalized folks like trans women of color, drag queens, gay men, and lesbians—could find refuge from a world that was anything but accepting. Raids on 2SLGBTQIA+ establishments were common back then, but something about that night was different. When police stormed the bar, the patrons didn’t just scatter and quietly accept the harassment. They fought back.

The clashes that followed became known as the Stonewall Riots or Uprising. Over several nights, protesters filled the streets, refusing to be silenced. Their resistance marked a turning point. It was messy and spontaneous, but it sent a clear message: 2SLGBTQIA+ people weren’t going to hide or apologize for who they were anymore.

Today, when we say “Stonewall,” we’re talking about more than just that historic bar or those nights of unrest. It’s a symbol. Stonewall represents the start of a modern 2SLGBTQIA+ movement that continues to this day. It’s the reason we march in June. It’s the foundation of so many rights and freedoms that were unimaginable back in ’69.

But it’s also a reminder. Stonewall reminds us that progress doesn’t come easily. It takes courage, community, and a willingness to stand up—especially when it feels like the world would rather you sit down.

So, Stonewall isn’t just a place, or a moment. It’s a legacy. And every time we celebrate our identities, push for inclusion, or fight for equality, we’re continuing the work that began there. Stonewall is us. It’s the past we honor, the present we shape, and the future we’re building.