NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City subway station would be renamed to commemorate… Stonewall Riots that galvanized the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights, under legislation approved by state lawmakers as they wrapped up their session this month.
The state Legislature on Wednesday approved a bill directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to change the name of the Christopher Street-Sheridan Square subway station in Greenwich Village to Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument Station.
“This change will commemorate the history of the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement and inspire New York to demand justice and equality for all,” the state senator said. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Manhattan Democrat who sponsored the proposal, wrote on the social platform
The bill is now submitted to the Democratic government. Kathy Hochul for her approval. His office announced Sunday evening that it would review the legislation.
The Stonewall Inn was raided by police on June 28, 1969, sparking a riot and several days of protests that marked a revolutionary moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
At the time, showing affection toward someone of the same sex or dressing in a way deemed inappropriate could result in people being arrested and leading to the loss of liquor licenses at bars that served them.
Today, Stonewall Inn is a National Historic Landmarkwith customers flocking to the site every June, when New York and many other cities hold LGBTQ+ pride celebrations.
The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is also set to open next door as the National Park Service’s first such center focused on LGBTQ+ history.