Remembering Stonewall:
55 years since the Stonewall Riots

To support our amazing pride season in 2024, Out North East is launching a new heritage project which will connect all the festivals. 

Emerald 55 commemorates the 55^th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and how this moment sparked a political and social movement which lead to prides around the world.

The project asks the question: What does pride mean to me? It could be the celebration of identity, a memory, the first time a person publicly came out or a political statement. Whatever pride means to you, we want you to share your stories.

The communities of Gateshead, Sunderland and South Tyneside will be invited to share their thoughts online, at coffee mornings, open days, satellite events, community workshops, schools and colleges.

We will collate all the written, video and art-based submissions and curate them into an exhibition which will be displayed in Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead during LGBTQ+ history month in February 2025. The collection will then be gifted to the Winter Gardens, Shipley Art Gallery and The Word for their archives.

The name of the project, Emerald 55, is made up of three elements: 55 marks the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, Emerald is the stone for 55th celebrations and the colour links to The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland, an LGBTQ+ icon, whose death in 1969 was the catalyst for the riots at the Stonewall Inn, New York.

The Stonewall Riots took place on 28 June 1969 and are widely regarded as a watershed moment in the history of LGBTQ+ rights and the catalyst for the modern gay rights movement. It was a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community against police harassment and discrimination at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village.

During the 1960s, LGBTQ+ individuals faced significant societal discrimination and legal persecution. Homosexuality was often considered a mental disorder, and same-sex relationships were criminalised in most US states. The few bars and clubs that served as safe spaces for the community were relentlessly targeted by law enforcement.

In the early hours of June 28, 1969, the police raided the Stonewall Inn, attempting to arrest employees and patrons for violating laws prohibiting same-sex relations, cross-dressing, and serving alcohol to LGBTQ+ individuals. While such raids were common during this time, the events at Stonewall would unfold very differently.

Members of the community had gathered to remember LGBTQ+ icon and Hollywood legend, Judy Garland who had passed away the week before. 

Emotions were high and as the police entered the bar, tensions quickly escalated. The patrons, tired of being victimised and oppressed, and angry that their memorial was being disrupted decided to fight back. The raid sparked a spontaneous uprising fuelled by frustrations and anger over years of discrimination. The crowd began to resist and challenged the police officers, refusing to be arrested quietly.

Storme DeLarverie, a proud lesbian, drag king and lifelong gay activist is widely acknowledged to have thrown the first punch in protest though drag performers and trans activists Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera soon became the public faces of the protests.

What started as a confrontation between police and patrons quickly escalated into larger protests, with hundreds of people joining in solidarity over the following days. Protesters chanted, threw objects at the police, and fought back against the constant oppression they had endured. The Stonewall Riots lasted for several nights, serving as a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. The demonstrations garnered significant media attention and became a rallying cry for the emerging gay rights movement.

Activists and community members mobilised, forming numerous advocacy organisations and demanding an end to the discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

In the aftermath of the riots, the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance were formed, serving as important platforms for the advocacy and organisation of LGBTQ+ rights. Annual marches were initiated around the world to commemorate the Stonewall Riots and to continue the fight for equal rights. Pride Festivals, as we know them now, were established.

The impact of the Stonewall Riots cannot be overstated. It galvanised the LGBTQ+ community, empowering individuals to stand up against discrimination and demand equal treatment. It also helped change public perception, gradually leading to the decriminalization of homosexuality and the recognition of LGBTQ+ rights worldwide.

The Stonewall Riots were a pivotal moment, not only in LGBTQ+ history but also in the broader struggle for civil rights. The movement has since grown, achieving significant victories such as the legalisation of same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination legislation in many countries. However, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights remain ongoing, with continued challenges and obstacles to overcome.

The Stonewall Riots symbolise the power of collective action and the importance of standing up against injustice. They serve as a reminder that change is possible and that marginalised communities can fight for their rights, ultimately shaping a more inclusive and accepting society for future generations.

To deliver the project will cost £50,000 and we are looking for ten partners to contribute £5000 each to help us reach as many people as possible.

Your support will help us produce an education pack for schools and colleges, hold coffee mornings and community sessions, develop online resources and deliver workshops for people to share their stories. We’ll also be able to deliver three fantastic exhibitions that will share real stories, connect people and promote understanding within the wider community.

We are delighted Kim McGuinness, Police Crime Commissioner, has agreed to be our first Emerald 55 partner and we are confident with your support we can deliver a project that really will make a difference to people in Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside.