Stonewall Uprising: A reading and viewing guide to the event that launched a thousand Pride parades

On the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, we have curated an essential reading and viewing guide for you to celebrate the legacy of this watershed moment

The Stonewall Uprising, often referred to as the Stonewall Riots, took place in the summer of 1969 in New York City. On June 28, the police raided Stonewall Inn, a bar frequented by queers in the Greenwich Village neighbourhood. Police raids on such establishments and violence against members of the LGBTQIA+ community were widespread and routine back then.

Tired of being harassed and abused, the community and its allies chose to resist as six days of spontaneous demonstrations broke out in the neighbourhood. This historic resistance against homophobia, transphobia, and police harassment marked a watershed moment in the gay liberation movement. The event inspired a generation of activists who demanded equal rights for the community and made greater visibility and recognition possible. Every year Pride Month celebrations are held across the globe to coincide with the Stonewall Uprising.

It’s been 52 years and Stonewall has had an indelible impact on shaping the lives and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community since. To understand the legacy of this historic moment of resistance, we have curated a list of books and documentaries that will give you context, acquaint you with the happenings of the event, and introduce you to the icons of the movement.

Documentaries

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)

Transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson was a pioneer of the gay rights movement and a driving force behind the Stonewall Uprising. A drag performer and a Greenwich Village fixture, she founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Sylvia Rivera and became well known for her unrelenting advocacy, even modelling for Andy Warhol. In 1992, Marsha was found dead under mysterious circumstances however the police ruled it as a suicide. Helmed by Oscar-nominated director David France,  The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson celebrates the legacy of the pioneering black transgender activist and explores the mystery of her death.

Available on Netflix

Stonewall Uprising (2010)

Based on a book by notable historian David Carter, Stonewall Uprising explores the events surrounding the six-day conflict. A moving documentation of the historic event, it is a must watch for every person who wishes to understand what happened in the summer of 1969. Featuring interviews with fifteen eye-witnesses and participants alongside archival footage and dramatic re-enactments, the documentary does an incredible job of giving viewers a sense of broader context including the aftermath. 

Available on YouTube

Stonewall Forever (2019)

Documenting the 50^th anniversary celebrations of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, Stonewall Forever brings together diverse queer voices to examine the evolution of the gay liberation movement, before, during, and after the events at Stonewall. The importance of Stonewall’s legacy lies in recognising that all activism of today rests on the shoulders of countless activists who have come before. The documentary puts the spotlight on the contributions of transgender activists’ and people of colour, who despite being at the forefront of the movement have often been erased from the narrative.

Available on YouTube

Books

The Stonewall Reader edited by New York Public Library

Drawing from the archives of the New York Public Library, The Stonewall Reader is an anthology of the gay liberation movement of the 1960s. Featuring diaries, periodic literature, first-hand accounts, and articles from queer magazines and newspapers, the anthology covers the five year-period leading up to and the years following the Uprising. The book also highlights renowned activists, such as Sylvia Rivera, as well as less known figures like Ernestine Eckstein and gives readers a great overview of the timeline as well as the impact of events.

We are Everywhere by Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown

Curated by founders of the widely popular IG account LGBT History, this well-researched book is a rich photographic account of queer activism. The narrative follows its origins from late-19^th century Europe to the modern era and focuses on the ground-breaking demonstrations and protests of 1969. Featuring over 300 powerful and intimate photographs from more than 20 archives and 70 photographers, We are Everywhere challenges mainstream representation of queer culture.

Stonewall: Breaking out in the Fight for Gay Rights by Ann Bausam

Delving into the experience of being queer in America in the 1960s, the book focuses on the rampant discrimination and police harassment which eventually served as a catalyst for the Uprising. Written by award-winning non-fiction author Ann Bausam, this youth novel is suitable for teenagers as well. If you’re looking for a book to introduce younger minds to queer history, this book makes for a gripping read.

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