Yesterday, U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres introduced a resolution, H.Res.1321, to designate June 28th as “Stonewall Day,” honoring the 1969 Stonewall Uprising that catalyzed the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
The resolution acknowledges the pivotal roles of activists like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Stormé DeLarverie, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. Torres, the first out gay Afro-Latino congressman, expressed personal connection to the resolution, citing the bravery of those at Stonewall as foundational to his own open identity.
The initiative also marks the opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center on June 28 at the site of the uprising. Operated by Pride Live, the center will preserve the legacy of Stonewall and educate future generations.
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Senator Kirsten Gillibrand put forward a similar resolution, S.Res.744, on the 20th.” Then, Gillibrand emphasized the significance of commemorating the bravery of those involved in the 1969 protests and the ongoing fight for equality. Also, she noted the visitor center’s role as the first of its kind to honor LGBTQ+ history.
The resolution also highlights ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people, including discrimination and violence, particularly against transgender individuals and LGBTQ+ people of color. It calls for the celebration of Stonewall Day to recognize both the progress made and the work still needed for full equality.
The progress of both resolutions H.Res. 1321 and S.Res.744 can be tracked on Congress.gov.
Sources: Congress.gov, Patch.com
