Stonewall Monument Removes Bisexual References After Transgender Erasure

The removal of bisexual references from the Stonewall National Monument website is a concerning development in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. The changes, first reported by independent journalist Erin Reed, affect key historical and cultural pages associated with the Stonewall site. Archived versions of the website show a clear shift in language, with mentions of "LGBTQ" or "LGB" being replaced with "gay and lesbian." This erasure is not only historically inaccurate but also disregards the pivotal roles that transgender and bisexual individuals played in the Stonewall uprising and the broader Pride movement.

Brenda Howard, a bisexual rights activist, often referred to as "the mother of Pride," helped organize the first Christopher Street Liberation Day March on the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. Transgender leaders like Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, and Zazu Nova were also at the forefront of the movement. Removing their contributions from the official record is a disservice to their legacy and a betrayal of the principles of inclusivity and equality.

The National Park Service (NPS), which runs the Stonewall National Monument website, has yet to provide a clear explanation for the changes. However, the move aligns with broader anti-trans efforts and raises concerns about the future of LGBTQ+ rights under the current administration. Stacy Lentz, the co-founder and CEO of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, has stated that the erasure is deeply troubling. Kurt Kelly, owner of the Stonewall Inn, emphasized that it is a deliberate act of invisibility that harms an already marginalized part of the LGBTQ+ community.

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It is significant because it erases the contributions of bisexual individuals to the LGBTQ+ rights movement and distorts the historical record.

Individuals can stay informed, support LGBTQ+ organizations, and educate themselves and others about LGBTQ+ history.

The Stonewall uprising was a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. It is widely considered to be a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Do you think this erasure of bisexual references from the Stonewall National Monument website is part of a larger trend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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