LGBTQ+ Rights are Human Rights

Honoring Stonewall 50th Anniversary

On June 28, 1969, a mass protest broke out in front of the Stonewall Inn in New York City against the discriminatory practice of the police raiding bars that were frequented by members of the LGBT community.

The demonstration gathered more attention and community support as members of the community clashed with police forces for the following six days, leading the “Stonewall Riots” to become one of the most-well known catalysts for the LGBT Rights Movement in the United States.

50 years after this iconic display of community solidarity against discrimination, we recognize and honor the elders of the
LGBT Rights Movement who have lived their lives to ensure that LGBT+ Rights are indeed counted as Human Rights for all.

Meet the Pioneers

History

Meet the Pioneers

The Resolution

Stonewall Riots

In the early hours of June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City. The raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents as police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighboring streets and in nearby Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

Learn More about the Stonewall Riots

John James is an early pioneer for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community, having attended the first Reminder’s Day March on July 4, 1965 which was one of the first acts of protest demanding LGBT Civil Rights in America, as Mr. James and others marched with Protest signs in front of Independence Hall. John went on to create the AIDS Treatment News to inform and empower those affected by the AIDS epidemic.

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David Acosta was born in Cali, Colombia, and moved to Philadelphia at the age of 10 in the 1960’s and has lived a life of activism fighting for the rights of the LatinX LGBTQ+ Community. He is the founder of GAL-LAY, a queer, Latinx social justice organization in Philadelphia, and from 1985 to 1989 he served on Philadelphia’s Commission on Sexual Minorities, becoming the first LatinX member appointed by Mayor Wilson Good.

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Elizabeth Coffey-Williams is a proud trans-woman active in her community. Elizabeth underwent groundbreaking gender confirmation surgery at Johns Hopkins University 47 years ago in 1972. After an illustrious film career participating in an acting coalition known as “The Dreamlanders,” she co-founded and facilitated Chrysalis Gender group and participated as a board member for Rockford AIDS Care Network. A talented quilter, Elizabeth created a panel for the AIDS Quilt honoring a friend who lost his life to the epidemic. Today, she resides in Philadelphia and facilitates the Transway program at the William Way Community Center.

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Susan Silverman was an active participant in the movements that arose from the Stonewall Uprising and is considered an iconic pioneer of both the Feminist and LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movements. She was an early member of the Gay Liberation Front which was founded on the heals of Stonewall, and a founder of Radical Lesbians for women in the LGBTQ+ Community.

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Susan Atlas & Mary Groce

Frank Potopa

Steve Getzow

Roosevelt Adams

PA Senate Refuses to Pass LGBT Pride Month Resolution for 3rd Year in Row. Senator Street Recognizes LGBTQ+ Pioneers for Years of Activism

Harrisburg, Pa. − June 7, 2019 − For the third year in a row, Senator Street (D-Philadelphia) attempted yesterday to offer a Unanimous Consent Resolution on the floor of the Senate recognizing June as LGBT Pride Month, and for the third year in a row, it was rejected by Senate leadership. This year was particularly important, as it also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, who many in the LGBTQ+ Community recognize as the start of the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.

“I was Pleased to be joined by pioneers of the LGBTQ+ community on Wednesday to offer a Resolution, honoring and commemorating pride festivities in Philadelphia and across commonwealth,” said Senator Street. “Unfortunately, Republican leadership did not see fit to allow it to proceed. However, I’m optimistic and hopeful attitudes around the commonwealth and Capital are improving, due, in no small part, to the work of our pioneers which will not be in vain. Both the LGBTQ community and allies like myself are undeterred and will continue to build upon their great legacy.”