The removal of transgender references from the Stonewall National Monument website has ignited protests and calls for action among LGBTQ+ activists. The changes, which align with a Trump administration directive, have been met with criticism highlighting the historical significance of trans individuals in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.**
Removal of Transgender References from Stonewall Monument Site Sparks Outrage**
Removal of Transgender References from Stonewall Monument Site Sparks Outrage**
Activists protest after Stonewall National Monument website excludes transgender identities in compliance with a Trump-era executive order.**
On Friday, protests erupted outside the Stonewall National Monument in New York City against a controversial revision to the monument's website. The National Park Service has removed references to transgender individuals, changing the LGBTQ+ acronym to LGB, which now represents only lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities.
This alteration follows an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump on his first day in office, mandating that the federal government recognize only two genders, male and female. Activists have voiced their displeasure, emphasizing that such moves undermine the contributions and visibility of trans individuals within the broader LGBTQ+ community.
"Trans rights are human rights, and there is no Pride without Trans folks leading that fight!," declared Stacy Lentz, co-owner of the Stonewall Inn, on social media in response to the changes. Activists rallied at the historic site, asserting that attempts to erase trans identities are unacceptable, particularly at a location crucial to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Previously, the website documented key historical elements, explaining that prior to the 1960s, it was illegal for individuals to live openly as LGBTQ+. The revised webpage now states, "Before the 1960s, almost everything about living openly as a lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) person was illegal," obscuring the critical role of trans individuals in this history.
Despite some references to transgender individuals remaining on the site, criticism has mounted regarding the broader implications of this "erasure." A statement from both the Stonewall Inn and the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative condemned the alterations, arguing they misrepresent history and fail to honor the vital contributions of transgender people.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has characterized the changes as "cruel and petty," further galvanizing activists to make their voices heard through protests and public statements. Signage displayed during the protest emphasized the importance of including transgender histories in narratives, with slogans highlighting that "you can't spell history without a T."
The Stonewall riots in 1969, ignited by a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, remain a pivotal event in the struggle for LGBTQ+ equality, marking a transformative moment in activism. Initially designated a national monument by President Barack Obama in 2016, the site serves as a symbol of both celebration and conflict within the ongoing fight for recognition and rights within the LGBTQ+ community.
