Stonewall Becomes the Nation's First LGBT National Monument
Congressman Nadler announcing the introduction of legislation to make Stonewall Inn a national monument.
Stonewall is finally taking its rightful place in American history, and I am proud to have championed the effort to create the first ever monument to LGBT history in our nation.
President Obama’s designation of the Stonewall National Monument recognizes that the events of the Stonewall Uprising in 1969 launched the modern LGBT civil rights movement here and around the world —like Selma did for racial justice and Seneca Falls did for women’s rights. We are faced with painful reminders daily of how much further we must go to achieve true equality and tolerance for the LGBT community, but honoring and preserving the stories of Stonewall—including of those who have rarely been acknowledged, such as transgender individuals of color, in our National Park System is a clear symbol of how far we have come.
Stonewall was a watershed moment in the LGBT civil rights movement—recognized around the world as a clarion call for justice and equality for the LGBT community. President Obama’s designation is a long overdue testament to the role of Stonewall in the battle for civil rights for all Americans.
Thank you to President Obama for taking this important step and to my colleagues in government, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYS Senator Brad Hoylman, NYS Assemblymember Deborah Glick, and NYC Councilmember Corey Johnson for their leadership.
