_______________Inside the Mind of Uncle Doreen

Saturday is the Nationwide Join the Impact.  Find your local event and join the fight for equality. (http://jointheimpact.com/)

As we enter a new chapter of history I thought it would be appropriate to take a look at those who stood before us.

What event marks the beginning of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights movement in the United States?

In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar located in New York City’s Greenwich Village frequented by drag queens and gay men.  At the time, serving alcohol to homosexuals was illegal, and police raids and arrests were routine.  Drag queens and kings, butch lesbians, and effeminate men were regularly harassed by the police citing a law that required wearing a minimum of three pieces of clothing “appropriate to one’s gender.”

But that night would be different.  In stead of accepting the injustice and brutality of the raid, the bar patrons – and a growing crowd of onlookers – fought back.  As the police ushered bar patrons into a waiting paddy wagon, the crowd began to boo and jeer.  those being arrested began to resist, and soon the crowd joined in.  Surprised by the crowd’s angry response, the police retreated into thebar, calling for reinforcement.

What resulted was a five-day rebellion that is created with sparking today’s gay civil rights movement and inspiring the formation of of lesbian and gay rights organizations around the country.  Marches are held around the world each year to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion.

Todays Out Look.  Published by Pomegranate, Rohnert Park, CA.