Before and Introduction

Homosexuality was considered a sin for many highly religious people as they were often described as "moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil" (Murphy p.52). Punishments of homosexuals were death but it became less extreme. Ideas that homosexuals were 'mentally ill' and needed psychological assistance were forming instead. Members of the LGBTQ+ community felt trapped by society's homophobic views and feared outing for consequences.

Gay Freedom 1970 by the Editors of QQ Magazine. New York: Queen's Quarterly Publishing Co., 1970. 

Before June 28, 1969,  frequent raids of bars including the Stonewall Inn were common. LGBTQ+ members were often kicked out of public areas because of their gender and sexuality. They had to find rundown buildings or mafia-run buildings to enjoy themselves without getting kicked out. People of the bar were sick and tired of not being accepted and decided to fight for liberty as a collective message.

This sign was written by the Mattachine Society organization. Fred W. McDarrah/Getty Images