Stonewall: History, Erasure, and Preservation
Written by Joyo Smit
header and Thumbnail by Jennifer Bonauer on Unsplash
Introduction
In discussions of queer history, you may have come across the word “Stonewall”. The events surrounding Stonewall are largely why queer rights have progressed to where they are today. However, there have recently been pushes to change the narrative around these events. These modifications largely exclude the involvement and contributions of the transgender community. In this article, we will discuss the history of Stonewall, its modern-day censorship, and what we can do to make sure history is told truthfully.
History
The Stonewall Inn is a queer bar in New York City. It opened in 1934 and attracted all kinds of LGBTQ+ folk. Though the Prohibition had ended, liquor licenses were withheld from “disorderly” establishments, which, by the attitudes of the time, included gay clubs. As a result, police often raided places like the Stonewall Inn - arresting staff and patrons and blocking entry. On June 28, 1969, a typical police raid began. This time, however, the people attending the queer bar and the larger audience outside fought back, opposing police attempts to arrest more queer people. Further pushback of police violence spanned the next few days and was largely the catalyst for a worldwide movement of queer acceptance. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who were active in the events of Stonewall, went on to lead protests and demonstrations for queer acceptance. These two trans women of colour contributed greatly to the rights queer people have today.
Censorship
After the most recent US election, the official U.S. government website paying tribute to Stonewall was changed in a very concerning way. All mentions of ‘LGBTQ’ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) were modified to only say ‘LGB (Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual)’. There is no recognition of prominent figures like Marsha P. Johnson or Sylvia Rivera. The only terms used to describe the patrons of the Stonewall Inn are “homosexual” and “gay”. Where did the mentions of queer or trans folk go?
Rising tensions are growing in America regarding the transgender community. Several bills have passed limiting the rights of trans folk this year alone, with hundreds more that have been introduced but not yet passed. These tensions are not exclusive to the US. These trends are becoming more common in Canada, such as Alberta passing legislation restricting trans rights.
Trans women of colour face intense discrimination for many facets of their identity. They tend to be the most marginalized within the queer community, so it is no surprise that queerphobia targeted them first on the Stonewall page. How do we combat this type of discrimination, and how can we ensure that history is told accurately, without leaving out important groups?
Prevention
It can be difficult to know what to do in light of discriminatory pressures. After all, there is not much you or I can do to change the views of the current president of the United States. However, that does not mean that nothing can be done. The biggest fight against censorship and erasure is talking about the truth. Your vote is important in determining who makes up the Canadian government and what legislation is passed. In regards to trans issues, some candidates for various positions want to limit gender-affirming care, a critical need for some trans people. By uplifting the trans community, you protect their voices and their history.
In Canada, your right to protest is protected. Whether you are attending a community-run protest or organizing a protest of your own, you can raise awareness and draw the attention of local representatives to issues you feel are important. If you plan to attend a protest, think ahead on how to be safe and look out for those around you.
Talking about history with those around you is another great way to preserve the truth. Not many people know much about what happened at Stonewall. Sharing what you know and having discussions prevents powerful entities from wiping away or modifying history. Keep an eye out for events with the SMU Pride Society, the Halifax Central Library, or other events in Halifax where discussions are happening.
Conclusion
As the current political climate shifts, it is easy to be frightened by rising hatred and discrimination. I expect that queer folks at the Stonewall Inn were equally frightened by the police brutality they faced for expressing themselves, but they did not let their fear freeze them into inaction. If there is anything we can learn from the past, it is that we have to be brave. In our democracy, each of us holds the power to raise awareness of inequality and fight to get rid of it. Things will get better if we are brave enough to make them better.