Stonewall Inn, 1969

Kairos of the Stonewall Demonstrators

One of the most influential moments in gay history in America, were the Stonewall riots in 1969. These riots occurred after a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a bar known to cater to the gay demographic of New York’s Greenwich Village. The raid did not go anything at all like the routine raids that occurred across the country in gay bars every night. Here, the clientele and passer-bys resisted the police, ensuing riots both in the city and all of America continued for several days following the raid. It was against this dramatic background when many demonstrations took place on behalf of gay rights. One such protest is captured in the photograph to the right, which effectively captures the exigence of the gay rights movement. The man’s sign is a direct call to action: “Smash Gay Oppression!”. That is not a mere suggestion, and it does not provide time for supporters to think about what needs to be done or the best way to go about doing it; it simply tells viewers that this is the time to rise up and demand equality. In this way, both the “Come Out!” article and this photograph seize the kairotic moment the late 1960s presented to the gay rights movement, and called for some sort of immediate change.

The Kairotic Moment to "Come Out!" Is Now!

During the 1960s there was beginning to be an overall changing mindset in much of American society. Women were breaking down gender barriers and African Americans were fighting for their civil rights. Some may feel this time period was filled with social upheaval and confusion, which may very well be the case, however, more than anything, this time period was characterized by change. It is in this fluctuating climate that the Gay Right’s movement got its start in American culture. Looking at the cover of “Come Out!”, one of the first newspapers by and for the Gay community in America, one can sense the change occurring at that time. The front page of this article is basically a call to all closeted gay men and women in 1969 to take the risk of “coming out” and acknowledging themselves as gay or lesbian. The article played off the myriad social movements occurring at the time, and therefore seized the kairos of the 1969s, by urging this group of people to make a statement by coming out. When the author of the article urged people to act, “before the [closet] door is nailed shut,” he created a sense of exigency. He implied that eventually the moment to help the gay rights cause would be past, instilling a drive for rapid action in the gay community.

Stasis Theory Comes Out

The oppression of gay people existed in the 1960s.  It is evident by the unequal treatment of homosexual and heterosexual people.  As it says on the cover of “Come Out”, “a homosexual is legitimate as an individual but illegitimate as a participant in a homosexual act.“  People should be judged based on their character, not who they love.  The purpose of the newspaper was so the homosexual community could have a voice and a place to discuss ways to end their oppression.  By publishing articles to this newspaper, the gay community hoped to unify the homosexual community and other oppressed groups and make the discrimination they faced unacceptable.  This newspaper was a great outlet for people to express their opinions and raise awareness to the unfair way gays were treated, but in a humorous way.  Come Out tried to get gay people to come out and take pride in who they are, and that is exactly what they should do, because, “being homosexual says only one thing: emotionally you prefer your own sex.  It says nothing about your worth, your value as a human being.”  In the 1960s, Americans lacked this understanding, but with these types of articles and other demonstrations, started to change their minds.  Ultimately, it is up to each individual about how they feel about homosexuality, however, they have no right to treat them any with any less value as a straight person.  

Stasis Theory of Stonewall Demonstrations

In the 1960s, discrimination against homosexuals was prevalent.  They were viewed as inferior to heterosexuals, harassed, and denied rights.  Even though they were treated unequally, gays did not come together to fight for their rights until the 1969 Stonewall Raid.  Like the banner read, it was time for them to fight back against the oppression.  The LGBT community was upset and wanted to take a stand.  They felt disrespected by their country, so they carried an upside down flag to give the United States the same respect as they were given.  The upside down flag was viewed as disrespectful if not used in a time of distress, however, the gays were suffering and upset, so I personally think that they should carry the flag upside down.  Although some people were arrested and went to jail for the demonstrations, it created more awareness for gay rights, and propelled the GayRights Movement.  The Stonewall Riot was a good thing.  The people in this picture stood up for themselves and propelled many others to follow suit, leading to the explosion of rallies and demonstrations in the 1970s.  Gay rights became a serious issue and drew more attention than in the past.  These people took an active role to demand their rights and “smash gay oppression”.  Gays should absolutely be given the same rights as heterosexual people and not be looked at any differently.  It is ultimately up to the government to pass laws preventing discrimination, however anyone can stand up for LGBT rights and treat gay people the same as they would treat anyone else.