As a gay New Yorker, I’ve been to the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan many times. I’ve stopped in for drinks at the bar, danced the night away to the beats of various DJs, sang karaoke, shot plenty of games of pool, and even saw a couple of drag shows there. I had always heard stories about the Stonewall riots that occurred in the late 1960s, at a time before I was even born. After watching the Stonewall Uprising documentary, however, I gained a new appreciation for and perspective about the experiences, obstacles, harassment, and even the hatred that the members of the LGBTQ community that came before me had to endure and how this oppression led to the riots.

There has been a lot of progress in the LGBTQ community over the past few decades. Society has definitely become more educated and understanding and I have no doubt that further advancement will be made as time goes on. The 1960s, however, were the dark ages for the LGBTQ community. Extreme medical procedures, shock therapy, and psychiatric treatment were just some of the ways society tried to “fix” homosexuals, who were often seen as mentally ill individuals that just appeared to be “normal." I can’t even imagine what it must’ve been like for the people that had to experience those over-the-top “remedies.” Any LGBTQ person can assure you that being gay is not a choice, nor is it a medical condition. Medical professionals went to ridiculous extents to try to cure, or at least treat, homosexuality, which is just another display of the ignorance and misunderstanding common in society at the time.

Throughout the States, homosexuality laws and punishments varied, but it was clear that the majority of Americans looked at homosexuals with disgust, discomfort, or fear. At a minimum, known homosexuals across the country were losing their jobs while others were publicly outed by name and address in newspapers. Students were being threatened and were warned that if they were homosexuals, their parents would be told and they’d live a life of hell. I can remember the feelings I had as a school-age child, knowing that I was different. I did everything I could to hide and suppress those feelings, especially as I got older. I just didn’t want to be different and was afraid to face the truth until I was much older. If I had been threatened the way some students were in the 1960s, though, I may have never had the courage to come out to my family and friends and embrace my true identity. To an even further degree, some homosexuals were victims of beatings, chases, attacks, police entrapment, and even death. I realize now how fortunate I have been because my coming out journey never took me down a path where I had to face the brutality that so many others did.

In order to escape the disapproval of society, homosexuals had their own underground clubs, coffee houses, and bars. Although our community has come so far, I’m still kind of surprised about the limited number of bars, clubs, and restaurants today that openly advertise their support for the LGBTQ community. Sure there are more of these LGBTQ-centric places today than there were in the 1960s, but what about all of the other “heterosexual” bars, clubs, and restaurants? Instead of just hearsay that an establishment might be LGBTQ-friendly, it would be so much more meaningful to be able to see something tangible to assure patrons that they are welcome, such as a tiny rainbow flag in the window. With all the progress that has been made, I don’t think some business owners realize how much that small gesture of support would mean to some of us. We’ve come a long way from the mentality of many people in the 1960s, so it would be nice to see more evidence of validation so that we never feel like we have to “escape” the disapproval of society again.

New York City has always had a reputation for being a bit more liberal—a city where everyone from every walk of life is always welcome. Although homosexuality was illegal in NYC in the late 1960s, gay people had slightly more freedom than in other cities, especially in areas such as the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan. On Christopher Street, for example, gay people could actually be seen out in public speaking with other gay people. Nearby, was where the popular gay bar, The Stonewall Inn, was located. Despite the watered-down drinks, it was an attractive place and a temporary refuge to many, especially gay men and drag queens.

New York City police officers were directed to clean up the streets and put gay bars out of business. On the night of June 28, 1969, approximately six officers from the nearby precinct raided the Stonewall Inn for the second time that week. Patrons were expected to exit the bar with their identification and peacefully succumb to the demands of the officers. Because the patrons were not seen as threatening and were a very vulnerable community, it was expected to be another easy victory for the NYPD. It turned out to be anything but that because payback was on the horizon. Isolation had led to anger and fury—and who could blame them? The gay community was tired of being oppressed and finally took a much-needed stand by refusing to do as the officers commanded. The NYPD just didn’t have the manpower to stop the chaos. The officers were nervous, frightened, and practically helpless, resorting to barricading themselves and the patrons inside the Inn. The thought of the tables being turned on those “manly men” by a crowd of gay men and drag queens is irony at its finest and it must have been an incredible sight to witness.

I can only imagine how terrified the people had been at this time, as years of anger and frustration came to a head. There were fights and fits of rage with people doing anything they could to get outside and away from the officers. I can almost hear the yells and protests that came from the thousands of people outside The Stonewall Inn. It must have been extraordinary to witness the chaos—people standing on cars and garbage cans while others were hanging from light posts or setting items on fire to throw at police officers. What went through the minds of the officers when the drag queens taunted them with their kick lines and songs? I wonder what the officers were feeling while this free-for-all was taking place? Did they feel any of the hurt, pain, sorrow, embarrassment, or helplessness that so many people in the LGBTQ community had been feeling for years? Did they realize that their criticism and prejudice is what brought on the recklessness and retaliation in the first place?

It must have been an incredible scene as tires were slashed, officers were injured, and pandemonium ensued. People went back the next night and the night after that, but as the anger and the fighting continued, so did the number of protestors and the support for the gay community. In addition to the officers from the precinct, tactical police officers with shields, clubs, and riot helmets were brought in to control the situation, but the people couldn’t be contained. They had taken control. When the riots finally ended, The Stonewall Inn had been completely destroyed and lives were forever changed.

When I visit The Stonewall Inn these days, I have a new appreciation and respect for what actually occurred on those infamous nights. Even though they ruined the one place where they felt most liberated and comfortable, it was not in vain. The Stonewall Inn was rebuilt, revitalized, and restored and became better and stronger than ever—just like the LGBTQ community that I’m so proud to be part of.

The Stonewall riots altered the direction of the gay movement. Because of this historic event, the first ever protest march took place on June 28, 1970, exactly one year after the rioting had begun. It had previously been unheard of for a person to walk during the daylight hours with a sign advertising they were gay. Despite bomb threats and fears of being shot, there were approximately 100-120 people brave enough to do so. Before long, the number of marchers grew to about two thousand, as spectators lined the sidewalks and watched in amazement and admiration. The memory of those historic days and the appreciation for all who fought in the battle of the Stonewall riots is remembered and celebrated every year in the annual Gay Pride March & Parade. It’s amazing how far our community has come. A couple of thousand brave individuals started this yearly tradition. At the fiftieth anniversary of the Stonewall riots in 2019, the number of supporters climbed to over five million. I’m honored to be part of such a triumphant community and appreciate the contributions and accomplishments that every individual has made.

Stonewall Uprising enlightened me and taught me a lot about an essential part of LGBTQ history. I’m grateful for the strength and the courage of the individuals who looked danger in the eye and fought back on that infamous night, June 28, 1969. It is because of brave people like them that I am free to live my life in the open—AbsolutelyOut.