It’s
Pride month, and although Pride has become something commercial that
many of us have mixed feelings about, it’s important to remember how
this all started. Everyone should watch Stonewall Uprising, even if
you’ve seen Before Stonewall
and read about Stonewall quite a bit. The footage they have of the
Stonewall Riot and of peoples’ lives at that time is amazing.

It struck me how much like war the beginning of the movement was and
it’s amazing that we’ve come so far since then. It also makes you feel a
deep gratitude for the rights you have.

One of the primary resources used in Stonewall Uprising is a New York Times article entitled: Homo Nest Raided: Queen Bees Stinging Mad.
It’s a fascinating read, because it is intensely trivializing and
sexist, but also (for its time) somewhat pro-gay. A neighbor who watched
the raid of Stonewall happen from her window was quoted in the article
saying, “It was just awful when the police came. It was like a swarm of
hornets attacking a bunch of butterflies.”

Below is the first section of the documentary. You can watch the whole film online on PBS’ American Experience website.

Watch the full episode. See more American Experience.