Gay allies in Congress have introduced
a resolution that would recognize the birth of the modern gay rights
movement.
Three openly gay representatives –
Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Jared
Polis of Colorado – along with Jerrold Nadler of New York have
introduced a resolution that would recognize the 40th
anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
The riots, which took place in
Greenwich Village, are often credited for sparking the modern gay
rights movement when patrons of the Stonewall Inn, mostly drag
queens, rebelled against police harassment in 1969. Rioters
violently fought back against officers over the course of several
days starting on June 28.
“We honor all those who stood their
ground at Stonewall as we carry on their quest for full and equal
rights for all Americans,” Baldwin said in a statement.
“As we move ahead in the movement for
legal equality, it is important to remember those who had the courage
to fight hard when things were much tougher,” Frank said.
Last month, New York City unveiled a
new marketing effort titled Rainbow
Pilgrimage Campaign. The $1.9 million campaign urges gay men
and lesbians to visit the birthplace of the gay movement in Manhattan
during its 40th anniversary.
“The events at Stonewall 40 years ago
had a profound effect on how LGBT Americans came to see their
struggle for equality,” Nadler, who represents Greenwich Village,
said. “Stonewall catalyzed gay Americans – and those who support
their rights – into putting gay rights on the forefront, out in the
open, unafraid and unapologetic.”
A spokesman for Nadler told San
Francisco Chronicle blogger Carla
Marinucci that the resolution is expected to pass in June, ahead
of New York City's June 28 gay and lesbian pride parade and march.
UPDATE: Ilan Kayatsky, the spokesman
for Nadler, has clarified his statement and Marinucci has updated her
blog post. Kayatsky told On Top Magazine that Nadler is
"hopeful" the resolution passes in June.