Remembering the Stonewall Riots this Pride Month
What are the Stonewall riots?
The Stonewall Riots began 54 years ago today, on 28th June 1969. They started when New York City police raided Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village New York. This led to six days of riots. This event was the catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and worldwide.
Gay rights before Stonewall
1924: The Society for Human Rights (SHR), the first documented U.S gay rights organisation was founded by Henry Gerber.
1955: The Daughters of Bilitis, America’s first lesbian rights organisation was formed in San Francisco
1966: Members of the Mattachine Society declared their sexuality in taverns and sued establishments that turned them away.
1966: The Genovese crime family purchased Stonewall Inn, renovated it and reopened it as a gay bar.
The Stonewall Inn
In 1969, police officers entered Stonewall Inn and began making arrests. This results in patrons resisting and pushing back and launched a new era of resistance and revolution. Protesters began to gather outside of Stonewall and it had grown so large that the NYPD raiding party had retreated into Stonewall and barricaded themselves inside. Stonewall reopened the next night and more supporters arrived.
Although the Stonewall Riots did not begin the gay rights movement, it led to a turning point which gave way to groups such as the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and the Gay Activist Alliance (GAA).
June 28, 1970: First Gay Pride parade sets off from Stonewall
On the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, gay activists in New York organized the Christopher Street Liberation March to cap off the city’s first Gay Pride Week. In present day, there are now gay rights movements worldwide that will continue beyond.
Stonewall has become a symbol of resistance to social and political discrimination, and has inspired solidary among homosexual groups. This weekend is London Pride, the UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ parade dedicated to providing a platform for London’s LGBTQ+ communities, celebrating equality and freedom to be ourselves.
Phoenix Hospital Group is an inclusive and supportive workplace
Finding a support system is difficult especially when you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace. As most of our lives a spent working, it is crucial to be part of a work environment where you receive support and feel accepted.
At Phoenix Hospital Group we value inclusivity. We are committed to equal employment opportunities for people of all backgrounds, and believe that diversity drives innovation. We want our hospitals to be a place where everyone can feel comfortable and be themselves, staff and patients alike.
