On Friday, June 28, we commemorated the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, where the community courageously stood against intimidation, shame, and exploitation.
At the historic 51 Christopher Street in New York’s West Village, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Elton John and David Furnish joined forces with President Joe Biden, and Dr. Jill Biden to celebrate the inauguration of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, organized by Pride Live. This historic unveiling marked the inauguration of the first LGBTQ+ visitor center within the National park service.
Prior to a special performance, Elton delivered an impassioned speech echoing the Foundation’s dedication to a world where all LGBTQ+ people can live freely, access essential health services like PrEP without stigma, and thrive without fear of violence or exclusion.
Fifty-five years after the Stonewall Uprising, gathering at the iconic 51 Christopher Street in celebration of the first LGBTQ+ visitor center within the National Park Service fills me with joy and hope. Throughout my life, I’ve been inspired by the courageous LGBTQ+ trailblazers whose relentless pursuit of our rights has paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy today. Yet we must remember that this is not the reality for so many across the globe. The Elton John AIDS Foundation proudly stands with Pride Live in our shared commitment to support the LGBTQ+ community, and we won’t stop until everyone, everywhere is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
About the Stonewall Rebellion
The Stonewall Rebellion, which took place in June 1969, stands as a seminal event in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Sparked by a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, the uprising saw members of the LGBTQ+ community courageously resist systemic oppression and discrimination. This pivotal moment ignited a global movement, galvanizing activists and allies to advocate for equality and justice.
Carrying forward the Stonewall legacy
64 nations still classify LGBTQ+ people as criminals and in 12, homosexuality is punishable by death. The Elton John AIDS Foundation fights for these communities’ rights to get lifesaving medication, to protect themselves and others, and to bring an end to the AIDS pandemic. During Pride Month and beyond, we’re standing up against discrimination and building HIV services across 42 countries, building a healthier future and honoring the memory of those at the Stonewall Inn over 50 years ago.
Learn more about efforts to protect the LGBTQ+ community here.
