Stone Wall Riots of 1969 - Report Example

Stone Wall Riots of 1969 December 08, Stone Wall Riots of 1969 United s can be described as one of the countries that were dominated by controversial events in the 20th century. In this era, the country experienced so many things that led to significant changes around the world. One of the significant things that happened in this era in the country is the civil right movements. In this period, many of the people were fighting for recognition. Hence, there was rise of civil right leaders that led various groups in agitating the government to recognize their existence. The issue of homosexuality has also dominated United states in the 20th century. It has remained controversial until today. Moreover, the issue has been controversial that any cases in the country. The debate on issue of controversy has also spread to other countries of the world. As a result, it has become a global agenda as various people and groups continue to fight for recognition and acceptance in various countries of the world. The fight for homosexuality recognition and acceptance can be traced back to the Stone Wall Riots of 1969 that took place in the New York City in the United States. The riot took place in June 28, 1969 after a ruthless act by the police to the gay community.1 In this period, the community had no wide acceptance in the city and country at large. Therefore, the gay movement was motivated by other rights movements that were taking place in the country to fight for acceptance of the community in the city and wider United States. The paper will focus ion the situation in the country before, during, and after the Stonewall Riots of 1969. I will also address how the riot impacted the society and gay liberation after they occurred. Moreover, I will address how the event changed the rest of the world. The American gay rights have a long history. Henry Gerber in Chicago can be traced as the source gay rights due to foundation of society for human rights in 1924.2 The society is believed to be the pioneer gay right organization and the first to be noted in U.S. The society focused on publications concerning homosexuality. However, political pressure forced dissolution of the society. After this period, there was no discussion of homosexuality until 1948. In the 1940s, homosexuality was considered a form of illness by most of the psychologists and psychiatrist.3 However, the perception was stirred as Alfred Kinsey a biologist and sex researcher noted that 37% of men had practiced homosexuality activities at least once in their lifetimes.4 In the 1950, there was attempt to change people perception on the issue of homosexuality.5 Various gay right activists made the attempt. One of such people was Harry hay that formed the first national gay right organization. He attempted to change Americans perception on homosexuality in the state of Los Angeles. However, there were notable changes in the 1950s concerning homosexuality. The change was seen on negative campaign by the states and federal government on issues relating to homosexuality. The change occurred after tabling of a report by a senate committee to members of congress titled “Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex perverts in Government”.6 The report noted homosexuals as having mental illness and hence were seen as security risk to nation employment sector. As a result, large number of gay men and women was dismissed from jobs such as in military and other government jobs. The situation turned to worse in 1952. In this year, President Dwight Eisenhower signed Executive Order that prohibited people of same sex from working for the administration and other private entities.7 Homosexuals were also listed as a security risk to the nation. On the other hand, the first lesbian right organization was formed in the state of San Francisco on September 21, 1955.8 The group organized various social functions. At the time, the police frequently raided lesbian bars. Additionally, there were changes of perception on homosexuality. The changes begun to be seen in the clinical field in year 1956. The perceptions were because of American psychologist that noted that homosexuality as not being a clinical entity and there were no significant differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals. The perception was cemented by a court ruling. The ruling was in a milestone case One, inc. Versus Olesen. The court recognized rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) magazine.9 The ruling was significant as it was the first to act in support of homosexuals. Further changes were realized in the 1960’s. For example, there was repeal of sodomy laws in the state of Illinois.10 The state was the first to permit homosexuality on January 1, 1962.11 Riot as a fight for gay rights begun in the 1965. Members of the Mattachine Society organized a “sip-in” at the Julius Bar in Greenwich Village.12 The New York liquor Authority had prohibited serving gay patrons in bars.13 The body noted homosexuals as disorderly people. The society led by Dick Leitsch made a pronouncement of their orientation, and hence they were nor offered service in the bar. The organization sued the liquor authority in New York to no avail. However, New York commission on human rights stated that anyone had a right to be served. The mistreatment by commission prompted transgender customers begun to be rough in places. For example, in August 1966 some customers were violent in San Francisco Cafeteria that prompted management to call the police.14 Police mishandled a patron once they got into the premise. As a result, coffee was thrown to the police, and this sparked a protest that resulted in destruction of police and public properties. The Stone Wall Riot of 1969 was significant to the gay community. The riot begun on Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village a New York City neighborhood.15 The Inn was very popular. It acted as one of the largest gay bars/ clubs in the country during this period. Stone wall was exceptional as it was one of the few areas in New York City patrons could dance with members of their own sex, and it acted as a gay bar. Customers were mostly gay men but could also attract few lesbians. In 1969, it was prohibited for men to dance with fellow men. Mafia in Stonewall and other gay bars in the city provided security and hence individuals were free to express sexual orientation. There were constant raid by the police in bars that led to arrest of patrons while most fled from the scene. However, police raid on June 28, 1969 into the Stone wall changed things significantly.16 At this time, the customer did not flee but gathered outside the Stonewall Inn. The police officers became trapped in the Stonewall Inn as all of the gay they had kicked out of the building and from the surrounding area had congregated outside of the Stonewall to support the patrons of the bar. The officers became afraid as the crowd started to throw pennies, bottles, and cans at the police.17 The officers retreated into the Stonewall for safety. There were also angry shouts that filled the air pronouncing “Gay power”.18 This was the first-time homosexuality stood for their rights without being imprisoned. The Stone Wall Riots of 1969 had a profound impact on gay community and society. It laid a foundation for the gay to stand up and fight for their rights.19 As a result, various gay right activists groups arose in the country. After the riot, there was an intense discussion among the gay communities in the city and the rest of the country. In fact, in the first week of July the same year, idea was put forth on establishing a new union called the Gay Liberation Front (GLF).20 GLF was inspired by anti-imperialist struggle that were taking place in Vietnam and Algeria. Moreover, some sections of the group called for liberation of detained Black panthers and collected money for striking workers.21 As a result, the battle for gay rights was linked to the idea of socialism.22 The idea of the movement also spread to other countries. In a span of one year, lesbian and gay men had built a GLF and other comparable bodies in other countries. For example, there was emergence of similar bodies in Canada, France, Germany, Britain, Holland, Australia, and New Zealand. Moreover, the word “Stonewall” has become a common phenomenon for those fighting for rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered (LGBT) people. 23 On the other hand, the riot played a significant role for the gay members. As there was more freedom, the members found it easy to express their sexual orientation in public. In the past, it was not possible for one to declare that he is gay openly as it was followed with arrests and victimization from the society. Members found it easy to inform family and friends on their orientation and could express and inform others at work and on the streets by shedding internalized homophobia.24 Moreover, members were able to claim a sense of self-respect that was not possible to have in the past. As a result, there was wider visibility and confidence of the a gay movement. It also paved way for others to come out of closet and transform public conscience on issues relating to gay.25 The issue of gay rights continues to change the world. For example, in the last two decades the issue of gay rights has continued to take center stage. In 1993, there was a strong demand in a 1993 march that an end of military expulsion of gay and lesbian soldiers.26 Moreover, in the last decade of 20th-century key people came in light declaring sexual orientation. An example of such key figures was Ellen DeGeneres as she declares her orientation on national television in April 1997.27 Moreover, celebrity performers and artists have been in forefront for gay rights recognition. The 21st century has been instrumental for gay and lesbian couples. Law has recognized same-sex marriages, and a number of states have performed same-sex marriages (cite0.28 Moreover, a number of countries have made same-sex marriage legal. Examples of such countries include Netherlands, Spain, and Canada. In conclusion, it is clear Stone Wall Riots of 1969 has been significant in achieving of gay rights. The riot was significant as it was the first to end police brutality on gays. Moreover, it laid a foundation for formation of gay rights movements that have been fighting for gay rights until today. Moreover, the riot helped to gain wider acceptance of gays in society. As a result, there have been successful gay marriages in United States and rest of the world today. There has also been adoption of favorable laws to gays in various countries around the world. Bibliography BBC. “How legal tide turned on same-sex marriage in the US.” Bbc.com. 7 November 2014. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-21943292. James, Gilbert. “Stonewall Uprising: A Film Documentary.” The Journal of American History 98, no.3 (2011):936-939. Kuhn, Betsy. “Gay Power!: The Stonewall Riots and the Gay Rights Movement, 1969.” New York: Twenty-First Century Books, 2011. Morris, Bonnie. “History of Lesbian, Gay, & Bisexual Social Movements.” Apa.org. Accessed 08 December 2014. http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/history.aspx. WGBH. “Timeline: Milestones in the American Gay Rights Movement.” Pbs.org. Accessed 08 December 2014. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/stonewall/. Wolf, Sherry. “Stonewall: The birth of gay power.” Isreview.org . Accessed 08 December 2014. http://isreview.org/issue/63/stonewall-birth-gay-power. Wright, Lionel. “The Stonewall Riots – 1969: A Turning Point in the Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Liberation.” Socialistalternative.org. July 1999. http://www.socialistalternative.org/stonewall-riots-1969/. Read More