Stonewall Riots And Its Impact

Esteemed as a paramount consisting event during the Counter Culture Movement in the1960s in the United States, the Stonewall Riots initiated modern homosexual liberation movement, exerting profound impact on minority groups and mainstream consciousness. This thesis focuses on the eruption of Stonewall Riots and its principal impact. First, homosexual status and movements prior to the Stonewall Riots have been explored. The overall social intolerance and discrimination towards homosexual community have been portrayed. Second, the happening of Stonewall Riots is studied in historical context of Counter Culture Movement in the1960s as it sets backgrounds for the riots. Third, impacts of Stonewall Riots on American society and culture are assessed. Meanwhile, the interaction between the Stonewall Riots and the subsequent activities is analyzed. The study is based on historical facts and comparative research, analyzing backgrounds and impacts of the Stonewall Riots.This thesis is mainly divided into four parts, studying the historical and social condition before and after the Stonewall Riots. This event has played a pivotal and inspiring role in promoting the social status and attaining legal rights of the minority groups. With the springing of variable organized groups, social tolerance and acceptance to multiple minority communities have been dramatically improved. However, the problematic issues (male chauvinism, racial discrimination, and divergence within homosexual community) that existed in later activities have impaired the impact of the riots.