Forty-three years ago tonight, patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a
popular gay bar in Greenwich Village, fought back against police
conducting a routine raid. This act of resistance grew into
several days of riots, which became a flashpoint in the movement
for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights. For many
years this movement struggled to achieve mainstream acceptance,
and suffered painful defeats in the halls of government as well
as losses to violent bigots and the scourge of AIDS. But the
tide appears to be turning: the past eighteen months have seen
the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the passage of marriage
equality in New York, and the first acknowledgement of support
for marriage equality from a sitting President. On the
anniversary of Stonewall and in celebration of Gay Pride Week,
here’s a look back at scenes from the early years of the
L.G.B.T. rights movement. Click-through for a slideshow of
images: http://nyr.kr/MwCpzN