Stonewall's 44th Anniversary

Today is the 44th anniversary of Stonewall and the birth of the modern movement for LGBT equality in the United States. On June 28, 1969, the LGBT community fought back against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a queer bar on Christopher Street in New York City's Greenwich Village. From Stonewall, the LGBT community inherited an inspiring legacy of courage and activism. This is the spirit that empowered HIV activists during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, and continues to inspire new generations of leaders fighting for LGBT and HIV equality today.

Stonewall opened the door to important legal victories. This week, June 26 was the 10th anniversary of Lawrence v. Texas, the historic case that struck down sodomy laws in the United States – the LGBT community celebrated the Supreme Court's powerful reminder, in two landmark gay rights cases, that individual "moral and sexual choices" are protected by the U.S. Constitution.

The LGBT community has come a long way since 1969, but more work remains. This Pride season, as we celebrate Stonewall and our legal victories, let's remember that the police misconduct and abuse that launched the movement for LGBT equality are still taking place today in the form of stop-and-frisk, condom confiscation, and HIV criminalization.  Let's celebrate Stonewall, and leave no queer behind.