In a deeply unsettling move, the National Park Service (NPS) has removed all references to transgender and queer individuals from its website for the Stonewall National Monument. The changes come in the wake of an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump redefining sex as strictly male or female, a move that many see as a direct attack on the transgender community. This act of erasure is being widely condemned as an attempt to rewrite history and deny the essential role of transgender people—especially transgender women of color—in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Located in New York’s Greenwich Village, the Stonewall National Monument commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal event in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. The monument’s website previously honored the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the contributions of transgender activists such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. But recent edits have replaced “LGBTQ” with “LGB,” eliminating any reference to transgender and queer individuals.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul voiced her outrage on Twitter, calling the changes “cruel and petty.” “Transgender people play a critical role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights—and New York will never allow their contributions to be erased,” she said.
History Rewritten: A Dangerous Precedent
The erasure of transgender and queer individuals from a site meant to honor their struggle and contributions is more than a simple website update—it’s a rewriting of history. Stacy Lentz, CEO of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, called this act a blatant attempt to “cis-wash” history. “They’re trying to literally erase trans folks and say they didn’t exist then and don’t exist now,” she said.
For many, Stonewall is synonymous with the bravery and activism of transgender individuals like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. These women stood at the forefront of the resistance against police oppression in 1969, inspiring a movement that continues to fight for equality today. To erase them from this narrative is to dishonor their sacrifice and undermine the very foundation of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
GLAAD, the LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization, released a statement emphasizing the importance of preserving accurate history. “You can try to erase our history, but we will never forget those who came before us and will continue to fight for those who come after us,” the statement read.
Fear and Resilience in the Face of Erasure
The impact of this erasure goes beyond a webpage. It sends a chilling message to the transgender community that their contributions—and their very existence—are expendable. Angelica Christina, a board director at The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative and a transgender woman, expressed deep concern about the change. “A lot of us are very scared right now. A lot of us are fleeing the country because of what’s happening,” she said in an interview.
Despite the fear and frustration, activists remain resolute. “We’ve got to make sure that the trans community knows we have their back,” Christina added. “The LGBTQ community knows we’re going to keep fighting.”
Executive Orders and the War on Transgender Rights
The changes at the Stonewall National Monument come as part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to roll back protections for transgender people. Trump’s executive order, which defines gender strictly as male or female based on biological characteristics at birth, has been widely criticized by medical professionals and advocacy groups. The American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association both recognize that gender is a spectrum, not a binary concept.
This executive order has already had far-reaching consequences, targeting everything from military service to gender-affirming care for minors. Now, it has reached into the realm of historical preservation, distorting the story of Stonewall and erasing those who were instrumental in the fight for equality.
Timothy Leonard, Northeast program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, condemned the erasure, stating, “The National Park Service exists not only to protect and preserve our most cherished places but to educate visitors about the full history of America. Erasing letters or webpages does not change the history or contributions of the transgender community at Stonewall or elsewhere.”
Stonewall’s Legacy and the Fight Ahead
The Stonewall Uprising was not just a milestone in the fight for civil rights—it was a battle fought by a diverse community, many of whom risked their lives for the freedom to exist openly and authentically. Former President Barack Obama recognized this when he designated the Stonewall National Monument in 2016, the first U.S. national monument to honor LGBTQ history. Last year, a $3.2 million visitor center was opened at the site to further tell the Stonewall story.
Now, the erasure of transgender and queer individuals threatens to undermine everything the monument stands for. LGBTQ+ advocates, allies, and organizations are vowing to fight back. “Let us be clear: Stonewall is transgender history,” said a statement from The Stonewall Inn and its affiliated nonprofit. “We will not rest until this grave injustice is corrected.”
City Councilman Erik Bottcher, who represents Greenwich Village, echoed these sentiments, calling the changes “utterly shameful.” “The rebellion at Stonewall would not have happened without trans people. To attempt to erase their existence is outrageous.”
The Bottom Line
History cannot be rewritten, no matter how hard some may try. The spirit of Stonewall is one of resilience, defiance, and unity. The transgender community, along with their allies, will continue to fight for the truth to be told and for their rightful place in history to be restored.
In the words of Stacy Lentz, “We would not have Pride; we would not have the Stonewall riots if it was not for trans people.” The fight for equality is far from over, and the story of Stonewall remains a beacon of hope and a reminder that every voice matters—even when others try to silence them.
