President Obama designates Stonewall as first U.S. momument to LGBT rights movement

The president's move comes on the one year anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision on same sex marriage

By Sophia Tesfaye

Senior Politics Editor

Published June 24, 2016 4:29PM (EDT)

FILE - This May 29, 2014 file photo shows The Stonewall Inn, in New York's Greenwich Village. President Barack Obama is preparing to designate the Stonewall Inn in New York the first national monument dedicated to gay rights. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) (AP)
FILE - This May 29, 2014 file photo shows The Stonewall Inn, in New York's Greenwich Village. President Barack Obama is preparing to designate the Stonewall Inn in New York the first national monument dedicated to gay rights. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) (AP)

Nearly one year to the date of the landmark Supreme Court decision striking down unconstitutional state ban against same sex marriage, President Barack Obama designated New York City’s Stonewall Inn the first national monument to commemorate the fight for gay rights.

"Stonewall will be our first national monument to tell the story for the struggle for LGBT rights," Obama announced in a video that played on billboards in Times Square at noon, according to the Washington Post:

The president honored the Stonewall patrons who fought back against a six day police raid that began in June of 1969, igniting the national gay rights movement 47 years ago this week. The president's designation grants official protection for the 7.7-acre Christopher Park in Greenwich Village, the White House said.

In his 2013 inauguration speech, Obama became the first U.S. president to mention Stonewall, highlighting a major fight of a marginalized community against the powers of the status quo.

“I believe our national parks should reflect the full story of our country, the richness and diversity and uniquely American spirit that has always defined us. That we are stronger together,” Obama said


By Sophia Tesfaye

Sophia Tesfaye is Salon's senior editor for news and politics, and resides in Washington, D.C. You can find her on Twitter at @SophiaTesfaye.

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Lgbt Rights President Obama Stonewall Inn Video