The Stonewall Riots of 1969 (in New York City) are known to be the starting point of the Gay Liberation Front. Protests, advocacy organizations, HIV/AIDS relief groups, etc., collectively have characterized the movement from the start. In the 1970s, a divide emerged within the community over opposing beliefs on what liberation truly meant: the 'liberationists' and the 'homophiles'. Liberationists presented themselves as being considerably radical; their intent lay in going beyond acceptance and transforming traditional constructs of society (homophobia, sexism, militarism, etc.). In contrast, homophiles aimed only for what was deemed realistic; instead of dismantling an oppressive system, they simply asked for tolerance. Their group maintained an apologist standpoint, where their end goal was living in peaceful coexistence with the oppressor. This assimilationist perspective held particular appeal with members of the community who were able to "blend in" with heterosexual society. Unsurprisingly, the existence of such a group left room for a movement that was more sensitive to the struggles, needs and ultimate goals of more marginalised subcultures. The liberationists, who seemed to be drawing in members of such groups, filled this need. The emergence of the Liberationists allowed for a wider spectrum of sexual-social behaviour &amp; identity to be represented without compromise, and with less risk of infighting. Members of the latter group would not feel forced to conform to the more socially conservatives mores of the Former group, whilst they were able to separate themselves from elements of the gay subculture that they found crass, excessive, decadent or extreme. Despite the evident differences, both groups share similar aims, and would be unlikely to ever see one another as anything but allies.