The stonewall inn is a gay leisure bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. It started as a tearoom ‘Bonnie's Stonewall' and served alcohol even when it was prohibited. It became a restaurant ‘Stonewall Inn Restaurant’ but a fire damaged it. The Mafia invested in it in 1966 and made it a gay bar since those were not common by then so they would make money. Police raids occurred in most gay spots so the Mafia paid them off to keep the bar open. They also paid local police to warn them in advance of any raids. It did not allow prostitution but cash exchanges and drug sales were done.
The stonewall inn was the site of the riots in 1969 by the gays to fight for the freedom and equality rights. Police often raided the bar so they usually had liquor hidden to continue with business after raids. At around 1.00am on 28 th June that year, some officers raided the club. This time, however, the patrol wagons for transport of the arrested patrons and confiscated alcohol did not arrive in time. A crowd of the released patrons and bystanders developed. This made the police in the bar afraid to get out.
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The arrested patrons were brought outside. One, in particular, fought back a lot and tried to free herself but she was put in the car. She shouted to the crowd to do something and this led to a lot of violence as they started rioting the police who fought back. This made the crowd angrier. The situation got out of hand and more officers came in to contain them. Allegedly the demise of gay luminary Judy Garland earlier that week caused the anger.
The Stonewall Inn being known for the riots, who would not want to go there? My experience was awesome as it is a historical site, therefore, being there was important. The stories about its history are written on its walls. The inn collects money from all patrons who visit from different places and put them on their ‘money wall.’
The Stonewall Inn is important in history and to the gay community. The event there led to the gay liberation movement, the struggle for LGBT rights in the US and the birth of the gay power. They were no longer ‘second-class humans’ but equal to all. They got freedom and social acceptance. The riots mobilized new activists who brought in better ways to advocate for LGBTQ rights (Dunlap, 2009). The riots made many writers and reporters publish this causing concern and intervention by various parties to support the gays. The inn was a ‘hangout place’ for the queer to freely socialize with each other as it allowed them to kiss and dance. Many bars in the city did not serve gays but they were welcome here. The homeless LGBT youths also had a place to stay all night at a cheap price. It acted as a place the community met during tragedies and celebrations.
Years before, homosexuality made someone unfit to be employed or own a professional license and was punishable with imprisonment, castration or even closure in an asylum. In the 1960’s the LGBT were sided by the law since there were lesbians and gay experts in literature, music and theatre. Some organizations like the East Coast Homophile Organizations in 1963 helped in advocating these rights.
The stonewall inn was made a national monument on June 24, 2016, by former US President Barack Obama. According to the National Landmark Preservation Report, it was a symbol of gay resistance and liberation. The inn represents a great deal as now the queer are treated better and as any other person.
Work Cited
Dunlap, D. W. (1999, June 6). Stonewall, Gay Bar That Made History, Is Made a Landmark. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/26/nyregion/stonewall-gay-bar-that-made-history-is-made-a-landmark.html
