The official Stonewall National Monument website removed references to transgender and queer individuals, sparking criticism and backlash from LGBTQ+ Advocates. This change comes amid continuing debate and policy related to gender identity under the Trump administration. This has been attempting to reinforce the idea that only men and women are effective biological sexes.
Previously, the National Park Service page describing the Stonewall memorial referred to as “LGBTQ+” that includes transgender and non-binary individuals. However, the updated version of the site only mentions “LGB” except for transgender and queer people. an Archive version The first broader inclusiveness of the available pages was confirmed.
Stacey Lentz, co-owner of the historic Stonewall Inn and CEO of the nonprofit Stonewall Inn, said “accuses of controlling what they are trying to erase trans people from history and existing status. and condemned the changes. Lenz, an outspoken advocate for trans rights, has organised a protest scheduled for midday Friday in response to a controversial editorial.
“There’s no pride for trans people without leading their fight! It won’t happen that they’ll try to erase them from the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement!” Lentz wrote on Instagram to announce the protest. did. “We need to show up and speak up for our trans and non-binary brothers under attack.”
Playing a pivotal role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, the Stonewall Inn was the 1969 Stonewall Riots website. This is an event widely regarded as a spark of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two trans women, were committed to leading the protest that night, challenging systemic oppression and discrimination. Their role in the movement has long been praised as the centre of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
It has angered activists and organizations who argue that the removal of transgender languages from The Stonewall Monument webpages distorts the historical reality of the LGBTQ+ struggle. With a joint statementStonewall Inn and Stonewall Inn initiatives have expressed anger at the decision, calling it an “erased act.”
“This blatant act of erasure not only distorts the truth of our history, it also disgraces the enormous contributions of trans individuals, especially trans women of color, the statement said.
The statement highlighted the important roles of transgender and gender-composed individuals, such as Johnson and Rivera. The removal of the word “transgender” from the National Park Service website is seen by many as a direct attack on their position in the history of the transgender community and movement.
“Let’s be clear: Stonewall is a transgender history,” the statement continued. “Masha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and countless other trans and genderless individuals fought bravely and often with great personal risks, pushing them into a oppressive system. , Leadership has been the center of resistance we are celebrating now as the basis for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.”
The Stonewall Inn and The Stonewall Inn Gives Initiative are calling for an immediate revival of the word “transgender” on the Stonewall National Monument website, urging staff to celebrate the full history of the LGBTQ+ movement. Advocates demand important contributions from transgender individuals, especially trans women of color.
The move by the National Park Service is the latest in a series of controversial actions based on the Trump administration, and on attitudes toward transgender issues, including efforts to roll back the protection of transgender individuals in healthcare and education. It faces criticism. Removing transgender-containing languages from important LGBTQ+ landmarks only adds fuel to the ongoing debate about the rights and perceptions of transgender people in the United States.
As the protests at the Stonewall Inn approach, LGBTQ+ supporters remain immovable in their commitment to ensure that the history of transgender people is not erased from the national narrative. “We won’t let this erase happen,” Lenz said. “We will continue to fight for our trans brothers and their legitimate locations in history.”
The controversy over changes to Stonewall National Monument’s webpages is a reminder of the ongoing struggles transgender individuals face in the fight for equality and awareness. As the protest unfolds, it is clear that the LGBTQ+ community continues to commit to maintaining the legacy of those who paved the way for future generations.
Source: Gayety – gayety.co
