Controversy Erupts as Park Service Removes Trans Reference at Stonewall Site

The U.S. Park Service has removed references to transgenders and queers from the official website for the Stonewall National Monument, Greenwich City in New York.

The New York Times reported removing the “T” from LGBTQ+ first, followed by the “Q+”.

“Before the 1960s, it was illegal to live openly as lesbian, homosexual, or bisexual. The Stonewall Uprising of June 28, 1969, was a landmark in the quest for LGB rights, and gave momentum to a movement,” says the introduction on the website.

New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul described the changes as “cruel, petty.”

In a message to X, she wrote: “Transgenders play a crucial role in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights – and New York won’t allow their contributions to be erased.”

The changes are in line with Trump’s Executive Order from Day One of his Administration that federal agencies should recognize only two sexes – male and female – not genders.

In 1969, the Stonewall Inn tavern, which is a part of the 7.7-acre monument, was where protests were held in the wake of a raid by the police that sparked the gay and transgender rights movement. The monument was established by President Barack Obama in June 2016.

The Inn released a statement by GLAAD that said, “This blatant erasure of history not only distorts our truth but also dishonors transgender people — especially transgender men and women of color who were at forefront of the Stonewall Riots as well as the wider fight for LGBTQ+ Rights.”

A page describing the various flags used by the LGBTQ movement was also removed from the website. According to The Times, however, the transgender flag was still flying over the park on Thursday.