IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 433 

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of Stonewall. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 13, 2009 

Mr. NADLER of New York (for himself, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, and Mr. POLIS of Colorado) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of Stonewall. 

Whereas the Stonewall Inn opened on or about March 18, 

1967, at 51–53 Christopher Street in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City, New York; 

Whereas the Stonewall Inn was a bar primarily patronized by 

a diverse cross-section of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 

transgender community and it became a very popular institution; 

Whereas at around 1:20 a.m. on June 28, 1969, police raided 

the Stonewall Inn, closing the bar and forcing patrons 

outside; 

Whereas such raids were among the many ways in which government harassed and discriminated against members of 

the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community 


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•HRES 433 IH 

during this period, which included, for example, prohibiting dancing with a person of the same sex or wearing 

clothing more typical for another gender, terminating 

one’s employment, and using entrapment to arrest people; 

Whereas early on the morning of June 28, 1969, after the 

raid, years of frustration and anger among members of 

the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community at 

being harassed and unfairly targeted by government 

boiled over into a conflict with police; 

Whereas thousands returned to the Stonewall Inn on the 

night of June 28, 1969, to express their support of basic 

freedoms, equality, and fair treatment for lesbian, gay, 

bisexual, and transgender Americans, chanting such slogans as ‘‘Gay Power’’, ‘‘We Want Freedom Now’’, and 

‘‘Equality For Homosexuals’’; 

Whereas protests occurred again around the Stonewall Inn on 

the night of July 2, 1969; 

Whereas the series of protests at the Stonewall Inn, often referred to as ‘‘Stonewall’’, marked a watershed event in 

which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans 

dramatically showed a growing determination to publicly 

resist government discrimination and harassment; 

Whereas Stonewall sparked a remarkable increase in activism 

and action by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender 

Americans across the country to advocate for equal 

rights; 

Whereas, on June 28, 1970, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans took part in the Christopher Street Liberation Day march from Greenwich VilVerDate Nov 24 2008 02:36 May 14, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR433.IH HR433

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lage to Central Park to mark the first anniversary of 

Stonewall; 

Whereas people in Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco 

also marched or gathered on June 27–28, 1970, to remember the first anniversary of Stonewall; 

Whereas in 1989, the section of Christopher Street in front 

of the Stonewall Inn was renamed ‘‘Stonewall Place’’; 

Whereas in 1999, the building at 51–53 Christopher Street 

that used to be the Stonewall Inn, Christopher Park, and 

the immediately surrounding area were listed on the National Register of Historic Places; 

Whereas in 2000, the building at 51–53 Christopher Street 

that used to be the Stonewall Inn, Christopher Park, and 

the immediately surrounding area were listed as a National Historic Landmark; 

Whereas inspired by Stonewall, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 

transgender pride parades and festivals occur in cities 

across the country and the world every June; 

Whereas in recognition of Stonewall, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, 

and Transgender Pride Month is celebrated every June; 

and 

Whereas a great deal of progress has been made in achieving 

equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender 

Americans since Stonewall occurred 40 years ago, but 

much work remains to be done: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the 40th anniversary of Stone3 wall; 


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1 (2) honors those who participated during Stone2 wall and since that time in the civil rights struggle 

3 of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Ameri4 cans; and 

5 (3) recommits itself to protecting and providing 

6 equal rights for all Americans, including those who 

7 are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. 

Æ 


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