President Barack Obama created the first national monument to gay rights on Friday, designating the site of the Stonewall riots in Manhattan where the modern gay rights movement took root almost five decades ago.
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“I believe our national parks should reflect the full story of our country: the richness and diversity and uniquely American spirit that has always defined us”, Mr Obama said in a video announcing the creation of the monument.
Stonewall Inn sparked the modern movement for LGBTQ rights in June 1969 when gay and transgender patrons – led by trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera – chose to stand up and fight during one of the routine police raids.
Obama’s designation will protect about 7.7 acres (3.1 hectares) of land, including the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park opposite it. That we are stronger together.
The monument covers almost eight acres in New York’s Greenwich Village including a landmark gay bar, the Stonewall Inn.
In a YouTube video, Obama recalled the 1969 riots, praising the gay rights activists that reacted to the Stonewall arrests.
Stonewall has remained a gathering place for the LGBT rights movement, attracting celebrations after the Supreme Court ruled for same-sex marriage equality and mourners in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting.
“I’m designating the Stonewall National Monument as the newest addition to America’s national parks system”, Obama said in the clip. “The movement ultimately became an integral part of America”, he said.
The designation will create the first official National Park Service unit dedicated to telling the story of LGBT Americans, just days before the one year anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision guaranteeing marriage equality in all 50 states. It had the backing of state and local officials in NY.
“Although the LGBT civil rights movement has made significant progress in the pursuit of equal rights and protections under the law, there is still more work to do”, the release stated. Trans and gender non-conforming people of color led the riots at Stonewall almost five decades ago – and it is a cruel irony that today these folks face some of the highest levels of poverty, homelessness, discrimination and violence in our community.
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“In light of the Orlando massacre as well as the daily violence and discrimination our communities still face, it’s never been more important to observe LGBT history in this way”, she said.
