Stonewall Inn

Overview

The Stonewall Inn is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. On June 28, 1969, a police raid on this Greenwich Village bar sparked a series of spontaneous protests that galvanized the fight for LGBTQ+ rights worldwide.

Highlights

• National Monument Status: In 2016, President Obama designated the Stonewall National Monument — the first national monument honoring LGBTQ+ history in the United States.
• The Bar: The Stonewall Inn still operates as a bar and community gathering place, with live performances and events.
• Christopher Park: The adjacent park features George Segal's sculpture Gay Liberation (1992), depicting two standing and two seated same-sex couples.

History

The original Stonewall Inn was a bar frequented by the most marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community. The uprising that began in the early hours of June 28, 1969 lasted six days and is widely considered the single most important event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Visitor Tips

• Visit the Bar: It is open daily and welcomes all visitors. A drink here is a piece of living history.
• Christopher Street: Walk the surrounding blocks of Christopher Street and Sheridan Square, the heart of the historic queer community.
• Duration: 15–20 minutes for the site; longer if visiting the bar.