Outrage As Trump Attempts To Erase Stonewall Transgender History
Image: Image: Wikipedia
The trans community and its allies have reacted with anger and disappointment following the removal of nearly all references to transgender and non-binary people from the official website of the Stonewall National Monument.
The monument, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots led by trans women of colour, has been stripped of inclusive language under the Trump administration’s controversial changes to LGBTQIA+ representation in government materials.
The updated National Park Service page now refers only to lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, removing the previously inclusive LGBTQ+ acronym.
Only two images of transgender women at Stonewall remain on site
Despite this, the site still features a brief mention of Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender activist and key figure in the uprising. Johnson’s contribution is acknowledged in the “Virtual Fence Exhibit” section, alongside a photograph of her distributing flyers in support of gay students at New York University.
Similarly, Sylvia Rivera, another prominent transgender activist and co-founder of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), is pictured on the site. However, the only remaining reference to “trans people” appears in the description beneath her image, marking the last place the term is used anywhere on the Stonewall website.
The modification of the monument’s website is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to erase LGBTQ+ visibility in government resources.
Since his inauguration, over 350 LGBTQ+ pages have reportedly been deleted from official websites, including crucial HIV resources, statistics, and policies promoting inclusivity. More recently even signing an executive order banning transgender athletes from sport.
Following the news protestors gathered at the Stonewall Inn in New York City to speak up for the trans community as they rallied against the changes.
“We cannot be erased by removing words from a website,” said non binary protestor Samy Nemir Olivares.
“It’s saying that trans and nonbinary and queer people do not exist at all.”
Joining the hundreds of protestors was Bernie Wagenblast “I am not going to allow any government, any organization, any person, to take away the joy that I feel as a trans person,” they said.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have condemned the changes, calling them a deliberate attempt to rewrite history. US non-profit organisation GLAAD denounced the move, stating, “The Stonewall Uprising – a monumental moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights – would not have happened without the leadership of transgender and gender non-conforming people.”
A GLAAD spokesperson further highlighted the contributions of Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and other trans women of colour, adding, “Their tireless work paved the way and continues to inspire us.”
The Stonewall Inn itself, the historic LGBTQIA+ bar where the riots began, expressed outrage at the erasure of its history.
In a statement, the venue asserted, “This blatant act of erasure not only distorts the truth of our history, but it also dishonours the immense contributions of transgender individuals – especially transgender women of colour.”
“Let us be clear: Stonewall is transgender history. Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and countless other trans and gender-nonconforming individuals fought bravely, and often at great personal risk, to push back against oppressive systems.”
The Stonewall Inn, alongside the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, has called for the immediate reinstatement of the word ‘transgender’ to the website. They declared, “We will not stand by while the legacies of our transgender siblings are erased from the history books. We will not rest until this grave injustice is corrected.”
Well, members of the LGBTIQ Community of the USA just remember this: Millions of YOU voted for this Convucted Felon, this Liar, this Inventor of Fake News , this monster who has turned on all of the USA’s Long-term, Loyal Friends so you have no-one but yourselves to blame. One of the First Executive Orders this Criminal signed was to elimiate the words: Transgender, Trans men/women from all US Government Publications – both Print and Electronic. Now YOU have to take Full responsibility for what has taken place. Serves you reight for voting for the Felon in the first place.
Australia’s LGBTIQ Community, Yes at 87 I am still a member of it, just remember when we go to the Federal Election sometime between now and 17th May 2025 that two of Australia’s Political Parties, one the Large Liberal Party of Australia which has degenerated into an Ultra-Eight-Wing Neo Fascist Political party with Howard, Abbott, Morrison and Dutton having betrayed the very essence of Bob Menzies Liberal Party and Clive palmers latest offerring “Trumpeting Parrots”, are long-term, avid, sycophantic followers and supporters of the USA’s Top Convicted Felon, a Criminal in Australian terms, Donald Trump. The Palmer Parrot has said he will introduce exactly the same Trump Policies here, even if, legally, he cannot do so. Dutton will do the same.
I am not advocating for the ALP – I once voted for yhem in 1972 but never since. BUT PLEASE make sure you remember come Polling Day what the Palmer Parrot and Dutton actually stand for. There are plenty of Decent, Honest, Fair Independent Candidates who are neither interested, nor willing to deny us OUR Democratic Rights. Lets keep it that way.