Review: Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution

Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution by David Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At the heart of Greenwich Village, NY, sits the Stonewall Inn. In 1969, this mafia-run gay bar became the site of a large riot that led to the rising of the Gay Revolution. The area of Greenwich Village near Christopher Park was known as a place where many gay, young, homeless men, struggled to survive or to purposely live among the people they could best identify with. It was also an area heavily run by the mafia. This was also a time when the country was in turmoil due to the Vietnam war, Civil Rights, Women's Liberation, and the rise of the New Left.

To avoid red tape and extra costs, the Stonewall Inn was run as an exclusive club, rather than a bar. The cops were paid off to avoid the area, but occasional raids happened during off-hours to keep up appearances, until one night, Deputy Police Inspector Seymour Pine hatched a plan to close the bar down for good. In a spontaneous raid, Pine and his laches raided the place, sparking a 2-night riot. Many involved in the gay community and supporters of the inn's patrons instigated the riots and eventually started a revolution by coordinating the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activist Alliance. Author David Carter profiles key figures involved in the riots, the atmosphere in the gay community, and the events that led up to the raid on June 28, 1969.

Also covered is the aftermath of the riots and the work of GLF and GAA in the months following, as well as the fight for the basic rights of the gay community. This is an important story that needs to be told. The 60s were a time of change and revolution. It was a time that many fought for simple civil rights for minority groups: women, blacks, ethnic groups, and LGBTQ.

This book is very well researched, very readable, and very enlightening.



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