Sylvia Rivera
WHO
Sylvia was a transgender activist and drag queen, who is sometimes credited in starting the uprising against the police. Her role is debated, but it is clear that many homeless LGBTQ+ youth like Sylvia helped lead the uprising. With Marsha, Sylvia ran the STAR house which provided food, shelter, and support for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.
Apple
WHERE
The Stonewall Uprising occurred in New York City, also known as the “Big Apple.”
Police Badge
WHAT
The Stonewall Uprising began when the police showed up and began bullying and arresting LGBTQ+ people who were at the Stonewall Inn.
Christopher St. sign
WHERE
The Stonewall Inn is located on Christopher Street in New York City.
Bow Tie
WHAT
When the police arrived, they began arresting LGBTQ+ people. They arrested men for dressing like women, and women for dressing like men.
Horse
WHERE
The Stonewall Inn was a horse stable in the 1840s, before it became one of the few places that welcomed LGBTQ+ people in the 1960s.
High Heel
WHAT
When the police arrived, they began arresting LGBTQ+ people. They arrested men for dressing like women, and women for dressing like men.
Juke Box
WHAT
The police arrested men for dancing with other men, and women for dancing with other women. The jukebox they danced to was destroyed in the uprising.
Lock
WHAT
The uprising grew so large, that some of the police locked themselves inside the Stonewall Inn for safety.
Raided Premises Sign
WHAT
The police often raided the Stonewall Inn, bullying and sometimes even arresting those who were there. But this raid did not go as planned.
Male and Female Symbols
WHY
At that time in history, people were treated unfairly based on their gender identity, such as people who were gay, lesbian, or transgender. It was not safe for men to love other men, women to love other women, or for people to dress or act differently from the gender that they were thought to be when they were born.
Kickline of Dancers
WHAT
During the uprising, the people at Stonewall formed a singing, Rockettes-style kickline to try to stop the police in their tracks. But the police finally succeeded in breaking up the crowd of protestors.
Heart
WHY
The people at Stonewall wanted a future where everyone could be free to love who they love and be who they are.
Stormé DeLarverie
WHO
Stormé is thought by many to be the famous “Stonewall Lesbian” who started the uprising. While being arrested, she fired up the crowd by yelling, “Why don’t you guys do something!”
Women Holding Hands
WHY
The Stonewall Uprising was about allowing women to love other women and men to love other men.
Marsha P. Johnson
WHO
Marsha was a transgender activist and drag queen who helped lead the uprising against the police.
Two Men Holding Hands
WHY
The Stonewall Uprising was about allowing women to love other women and men to love other men.
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
WHO
Miss Major is a transgender activist who helped lead the uprising against the police. After being kicked out of school for transitioning to living as a woman, she found acceptance with the LGBTQ+ community at Stonewall.
Candle
HOW
Stonewall has become a place of solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community. Candlelight vigils are held there to this day for the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, as well as in sad moments when oppression against the LGBTQ+ community occurs.
Protestors
WHO
The people at the Stonewall Inn stood up for themselves, and formed a crowd outside the inn to fight back against how they were being treated by the police.
Rainbow
HOW
The Stonewall uprising helped fuel the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. This led to greater pride within the LGBTQ+ community and more equality for LGBTQ+ people. The rainbow and rainbow pride flag have become symbols of LGBTQ+ pride.
LGBTQ+ Pride Flag
HOW
The Stonewall uprising helped fuel the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. This led to greater pride within the LGBTQ+ community and more equality for LGBTQ+ people. The rainbow and rainbow pride flag have become symbols of LGBTQ+ pride.
Bullhorn
HOW
Every year in June, we celebrate the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and march for LGBTQ+ equality. And for the whole month of June, people all over the world proudly celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
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