Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler ( D-NY ) and Deb Haaland ( D-NM ), Vice Chairs of the Congressional Equality Caucus, along with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin ( D-WI ), introduced a resolution recognizing the significance of the Stonewall Uprising ahead of its historic 50th anniversary. The resolution comes at a time when the LGBTQ+ community is facing an Administration that seeks to limit the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals across the government, including enacting a transgender military ban, placing new restrictions on health care, and limiting adoption and family rights.
The resolution acknowledges the history of discriminatory practices by law enforcement and the brave individuals who took a stand against it while also recognizing the work to be done to ensure the LGBTQ+ community achieves full equality.
"LGBTQ history is American history, and the Stonewall Uprising is a key part of our national story," said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. "While we are faced with painful daily reminders of how much further we must go to achieve true equality for the LGBT community, it is vital to remind ourselves how far we have already come. All of America owes the brave individuals who stood up at Stonewall for freedom and equality a great debt, and we honor them by continuing the fight."
"The brave LGBTQ+ community who stood up against injustice at Stonewall catapulted a movement for equality. Because of their courage, our country has made incredible strides, but we live in times when those rights are at risk. It's in honor of the Stonewall Uprising that we continue to fight for full equality for all people no matter what their background or who they love," said Congresswoman Deb Haaland.
"Stonewall is a story of those who came before us and let their voices be heard," said Senator Baldwin. "Those that bravely stood up and spoke out so that others wouldn't feel compelled to live in silence. When we look back at the Stonewall uprising and activism that grew out of that moment, even the most basic progress seemed like it would take a revolution to achieve. So we had one. And that's how we've made such enormous progress over the last 50 years. Today, we should remain inspired by the courage of the story of Stonewall."
Cosponsors of the resolution recognizing the Stonewall Uprising include U.S. Representatives Nydia M. VelÃˇzquez ( N.Y.-07 ), RaÃşl M. Grijalva ( Ariz. — 03 ), Chris Pappas ( N.H.-1 ), Jan Schakowsky ( Ill.-9 ), Carolyn B. Maloney ( N.Y. 12 ), Alan Lowenthal ( Calif.-47 ), Jahana Hayes ( Conn.-5 ), André Carson ( Ind.-7 ), David N. Cicilline ( R.I.-1 ), Jennifer Wexton ( Vir.-10 ), Eliot L. Engel ( N.Y.-16 ), Frank Pallone, Jr ( N.J.-6 ), Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. ( Calif.-39 ), Gwen Moore ( Wis.-4 ), James P., McGovern ( Mass.-2 ) , Mark Pocan ( Wis.-2 ), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. ( Ga. -4 ), Dina Titus ( Nev.-1 ), Darren Soto ( Fla.-9 ).
The full resolution is available at the link haaland.house.gov/sites/haaland.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/Resolution_StoneWallUprising_06272019.pdf .
—From a press release
