Demonstrators Gather to Defend Trans Recognition at Stonewall Monument

In a fervent display of solidarity, thousands of individuals congregated at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City's historic Christopher Park. They were there to voice their opposition to the National Park Service's (NPS) recent decision to scrub references to transgender and queer individuals from the monument’s website.

This move comes in response to a directive from President Donald Trump, mandating the exclusion of transgender recognition across various U.S. government departments and agencies.

Outrage was palpable among activists and allies alike when the initialism LGBTQ+ was shortened to LGB on the NPS webpage. Key transgender figures from the pivotal 1969 Stonewall Riots, such as Zazu Nova, were also erased from history, with Zazu being referred to solely as a “black woman,” ignoring her significant identity as a black transgender woman.

The protest, slated for February 14 at 12 p.m. local time, drew an estimated 1,000 participants, with numbers continuing to swell as the event progressed. HuffPost reporter Matt Shuham described the scene as vibrant, with the crowd’s enthusiasm unmistakable despite the lack of amplified sound.

Social media platforms were inundated with images and videos capturing the breadth of the demonstration. Tweets and posts underscored the event’s significance, with many proclaiming their resistance against the current administration’s policies.

One notable account, Rise and Resist, emphasized the collective determination present at the gathering: “New Yorkers flooded the Stonewall Monument to protest the erasure of Trans people. We will not allow this regime to erase OUR communities and OUR history.”

Another voice from the crowd, identified as Martin Joseph, highlighted a speaker’s clarification that park service employees should not be blamed for the NPS's erasure decisions, which they confirmed were made higher up the chain of command.

The rally was not just a moment of resistance; it was a call to action, urging all present and watching to safeguard transgender history and rights. Many attendees echoed a common refrain: “Our Trans Family and History WILL NOT BE ERASED.”

Prominent figures in the LGBTQ+ community stood in solidarity with the protestors, including Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush of the Interfaith Alliance. He remarked on the profound energy of the event, “The rage and resolve here should be bottled and administered directly into our veins.”

Trans activist and civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo also lent her presence and support, reminding participants of the spirit of the Stonewall Riots, asserting, “The first pride was a riot.”

In advance of the demonstration, the historic Stonewall Inn issued a statement expressing their alarm and dissatisfaction with the NPS's actions. They denounced the erasure as a distortion of history and a disservice to the transgender women of color who spearheaded the 1969 riots and the broader LGBTQ+ rights movement.

The Stonewall Riots, occurring from June 28 to July 3, 1969, marked a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history, catalyzing the modern civil rights movement for the community. As patrons of the Stonewall Inn resisted police raids aimed at criminalizing homosexuality and gender nonconformity, they set in motion a series of events that would lead to decades of activism and progress.

Revered figures such as Marsha P. Johnson, Silvia Rivera, and Zazu Nova, all transgender women, are central to the narrative of those riots. Their courage in the face of adversity is a testament to the enduring fight for equality and recognition.

The recent protest at the Stonewall Monument serves as a stern reminder that, despite attempts to erase marginalized communities, the spirit of resistance remains unyielding. As the LGBTQ+ community continues to navigate challenges, the commitment to preserving their history and protecting the rights of all members remains stronger than ever.