PRIDE

Famous for hosting the 1969 riots that directly contributed to the Gay Liberation Movement, the Stonewall Inn first opened as a gay bar in 1966. At a time when homosexuality and gender variance were criminalized, Stonewall, located in Greenwich Village, became a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community. In June 1969, the club was raided by the police. Patrons of the club reacted defensively, resulting in six days of protests. The Stonewall Riots culminated with multiple LGBTQ+ groups rallying to find and create spaces where sexuality and gender expression would not be policed. After a handful of closings and reopenings, Stonewall was designated as a landmark by the City of New York in 2015.

Many people consider the Stonewall Riots of 1969 to be the starting point for the modern LGBTQ+ Rights movement. But people have been fighting for these rights for much longer, with Greenwich Village in particular playing host to many different people, moments, and buildings related to the movement. In conjunction with the Museum of the City of New York's exhibit "PRIDE: Photographs of Stonewall and Beyond by Fred W. McDarrah," the museum is proud to release the walking tour PRIDE. On this tour, you will come across sites that have an important place in LGBTQ+ history, both before Stonewall as well as after it, and demonstrate the long road towards equal rights. Make sure to share your tour experiences with #MCNY, #VoiceoftheVillage, and #PridePower!