We Could Start a Riot

The Stonewall Riot is seen as the turning point in the gay rights movement. Patrons at the Stonewall Inn, a regular meeting place for New York City's queer community were finally fed up with being harassed by police and hiding in the shadows. On June 28, 1969 when police tried to raid the Stonewall Inn, rather than going quietly into the night, the Stonewall crowd fought back. That fight exploded queer oppression and the gay rights battle into the national spotlight and galvanized the movement.

We spoke with co-owner of the Stonewall Inn Stacy Lentz about what happened on that fateful night, the current state of the fight for gay rights, and what she and the Stonewall team are preparing for this June.