What was stonewall and why is it so important for the LGBT+ community?

In the early 60's being LGBT+ was a crime in most states of the USA, by 1969 some states had revoked the law forbidden it, but NY state was unflexible about it. There was a bar named "Stonewall inn" located on Greenwich Village that was a hot spot for the LGBT people. 

Even though they were a gay bar, the police didn't show up there because the bar was actually owned by the italian mafia. The bar owners paid a bribe to the police so they would let it go. The people who usually attended to the bar was in majority young gay people from the suburb and drag queens.

Stonewall inn didn't have a license to sell alcoholic drinks, yet they did sell it and added water so they could profit more on it. They violated hygiene and emergency exit regulations. Still this was one of the only places that the people could be free to be who they were.

On the night of June 28th 1969 police showed up and didn't turn a blind eye. Police assaulted and detained 13 people. Some of them were workers and some of them were Drag Queens that were arrested based on the clothes they were using. 

While people were getting arrested, a crowd showed up in front of the bar and started throwing coins, bottles and other objects at the police. One of the protesters set fire to the place. 

The fire was put out and the crowd scattered. But during the next 5 days people came to the surroundings of the bar to protest against the police brutality towards LGBT+ people.

The stonewall riots became a symbol to the LGBT+ community freedom. During the next 6 months, 2 organizations formed in NY that were concentrating on confrontational tactics and 3 newspapers were established so they could promote rights for the community. On June 28th 1970, gay parades took place in NY, LA and San Francisco. 

Happy Pride Month

Lucas