The Stonewall Riots

I chose to study the Stonewall Riots because I was interested in learning about LGBTQ+ history and how it connects to civil rights movements. I first learned about Stonewall in elementary school when we briefly discussed rights. After some research, I realized that the Stonewall Riots were a significant turning point in history that transformed the gay rights movement from small groups into a larger, more visible social movement fighting for equality. This perfectly connects to this year's National History Day theme, "Turning Points in History," as the Stonewall Riots marked a time when the LGBTQ+ community stopped accepting unfair treatment and started standing up against discrimination.

For my research, I began by exploring online resources from the Library of Congress and other reputable sources to gain a basic understanding of the events. I then found primary sources including police reports, newspaper articles from 1969, and interviews with people who were present at the riots. These firsthand accounts helped me understand what happened during the six days of protests. I also studied secondary sources like historical analyses and documentaries to understand the broader context and significance of the events. My bibliography includes both primary sources that offer direct perspectives from people involved and secondary sources that helped me understand the historical context and impact.

To create my website, I organized my research, focusing on the background before Stonewall, the events of the riots themselves, and the short-term and long-term impacts. I created separate pages for key figures involved in the riots to highlight their contributions and tell their stories. I designed a timeline to help visualize the sequence of events during and after the riots. I chose a website format because it allowed me to include multiple images and organize my information in an accessible way for viewers to navigate through the event.

My historical argument is that the Stonewall Riots represented a critical turning point that transformed the gay rights movement from primarily defensive organizations to a more visible, assertive movement demanding equal rights and recognition. Before Stonewall, LGBTQ+ groups worked cautiously, often emphasizing respectability and education. The resistance at Stonewall started a shift toward more direct action and greater visibility.

The significance of the Stonewall Riots is greater than the six days of protests in June 1969. The riots led to the creation of organizations like the Gay Liberation Front and inspired the first Pride marches. The event changed how LGBTQ+ people viewed themselves and their place in society, encouraging many to come out publicly and want recognition. This turning point continues to resonate today, as Pride celebrations around the world for the anniversary of Stonewall.