Congressman Dan Goldman Introduces Resolution Commemorating Stonewall Day
The ‘Stonewall Day Resolution’ Commemorates Historic Day in LGBQTIA+ and New York City History
Resolution Celebrates Opening of Stonewall Monument Visitor Center, a NY-10 Landmark
Read the Resolution Here
Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced resolutions in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate that express support for the designation of June 28, 2024, as Stonewall Day.
The resolutions commemorate the Stonewall Uprising that took place on June 28, 1969, when an unjust police raid on the prominent LGBTQIA+ Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village ignited protests against prejudicial policies in New York City. They also celebrate the opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center at 51 Christopher Street and recognize the Stonewall Inn’s significance in the historic fight for LGBTQIA+ equality.
“The Stonewall Uprising was the beginning of the modern-day LGBTQIA+ equality movement, an inflection point in the movement towards a more just and equal society,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “The Stonewall Day Resolution is a recognition of those protestors' bravery and sacrifice, as well as a recommitment to ideals of equality and justice for the LGBTQIA+ community that remain as relevant today as they were that night in 1969. While we celebrate how far we have come as a country, we must recognize the sacrifice of those in the past and remain vigilant against the concerning rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment nationwide.”
Congressman Ritchie Torres said, “As the only openly gay member of Congress from the great state of New York and a Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, the immense significance of the Stonewall Uprising is never lost on me. I am able to live as an openly gay man in 2024 directly because of the bravery of those individuals at Stonewall who put their feet down and said enough is enough. We have made immense progress as a nation in accepting and celebrating LGBTQIA+ rights in the 55 years since Stonewall, but there is still so much more to be done.
I am proud to join Congressman Goldman and Senator Gillibrand in introducing this resolution today to ensure that the nation never forgets what happened on June 28, 1969, in New York City. From Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Stormé DeLarverie, to Miss Major Griffin-Gracy -- the heroes of Stonewall must be remembered as American heroes for years to come. I urge my colleagues in the House to join me in passing this crucial resolution.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “The Stonewall Inn protests were a pivotal moment for the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. I introduced this resolution to establish June 28th as Stonewall Day to honor those brave protestors who raised their voices against injustice during the Stonewall Uprising and to recognize the activists who continue to fight for equality today.
The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center will be the first park visitor center honoring LGBTQ+ history. I am honored to celebrate its grand opening after six years of planning. Recognizing these brave Americans and sharing the full history of our country is more important now than ever as we confront increasing bigotry and intolerance. The LGBTQ+ community is essential to the fabric of our nation’s culture, history, and diversity, and I will never stop fighting to ensure every person in America can live free from discrimination.”
The ‘Stonewall Day Resolution’ resolves:
That the House of Representatives would support the equal rights and protections of all people, including LGBTQIA+ people
That the House recognizes the significance of the Stonewall uprising
That the House expresses support of and encourages the celebration of Stonewall Day
Congressman Dan Goldman is committed to protecting the fundamental rights of the LGBTQIA+ community at every turn.
In June of 2023, the Congressman joined Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marica Fudge urging the Department to take action against housing discrimination faced by LGBTQIA+ seniors. The members urged HUD to require funding recipients to engage with LGBTQ+ community organizations as part of housing planning and to prioritize organizations supporting LGBTQIA+ seniors in distributing housing funds.
Goldman is a cosponsor of the ‘Equality Act,’ which extends the non-discrimination protections in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to the LGBTQIA+ community. This legislation would provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQIA+ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.
Congressman Dan Goldman is a member of the Congressional Equality Caucus.
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