Stonewall Inn on its way to becoming a Landmark
The site of the legendary Stonewall riots may become a protected landmark.
Widely regarded to be the birthplace of the LGBT rights movement, the Stonewall Inn has been formally considered for landmark status by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
The iconic venue has been threatened with closure in recent years, and it is hoped that the listing will help protect it.
Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation’s Executive Director, Andrew Berman said: “Today’s vote is a welcome and long overdue step forward in recognizing and preserving a tremendously important piece of our history.
“Few sites more powerfully embody the struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights, and for achieving a fairer and more just society, than the Stonewall Inn.
“But more than mere symbolism, today’s vote is incredibly important for bringing us a step closer to securing NYC landmark status for the Stonewall Inn, which would help ensure that this building is never demolished or altered to erase that incredibly special history.”
A public hearing will be held on the proposal, just before the anniversary of the riots, followed by a vote.
In the UK, activists and businesspeople are fighting over the future of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, the oldest gay bar in London.
