Stonewall Inn’s national monument status to be ‘reviewed’ by Trump
Donald Trump is expected to order a review of all national monuments designated by President Obama, putting a question mark over the status of the Stonewall Inn.
New York’s Stonewall Inn has a unique status in LGBT history, as the birthplace of the 1969 riots that sparked the early equal rights movement.
The Stonewall Riots saw the local LGBT community rise up after repeated police raids of the gay bar. Some of the first Pride marches began on the anniversary of the riots in 1970, and in many countries Prides are still often known as ‘Christopher Street Day’ Parades in honour of the pub’s location.
President Obama designated the site as a National Monument just last year, saying: “Stonewall will be our first national monument to tell the story of the struggle for LGBT rights.”
However, a question mark will now be put over its status, as President Trump is expected to order a review of all the monuments designated by his predecessor.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the President will this week sign an executive order to ask the Interior Department to review all national monument designations in the past 21 years.
According to the newspaper, the review will “discern whether [the monuments] are within the law’s intent”.
Trump’s order is not expected to change monument designations immediately.
The review was reportedly prompted by President Obama’s designation of the Bears Ears monument, but will stretch across all such monuments.
Speaking about the designation previously, President Obama had said: “I’m designating the Stonewall National Monument as the newest addition to America’s National Park System.
“Stonewall will be our first national monument to tell the story of the struggle for LGBT rights.
“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. That out of many, we are one.”
In his speech after the Orlando massacre, President Obama had spoken about the “sanctuary” provided by LGBT venues.
He said: “For so many people here who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, the Pulse Nightclub has always been a safe haven, a place to sing and dance, and most importantly, to be who you truly are… that sanctuary was violated in the worst way imaginable.”
