The Stonewall National Monument’s official website has removed references to transgender and queer individuals, sparking criticism and backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates. This change comes amid ongoing debates and policies related to gender identity under the Trump administration, which has sought to reinforce the idea that only male and female are valid biological sexes.
Previously, the National Park Service page describing the Stonewall Monument referred to “LGBTQ+,” a term that includes transgender and nonbinary individuals. However, the updated version of the site now only mentions “LGB,” excluding transgender and queer people. An archived version of the page, available for reference, confirmed the initial broader inclusivity.
Stacy Lentz, co-owner of the historic Stonewall Inn and CEO of the nonprofit Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, condemned the change, accusing the administration of attempting to “erase trans people from history and from existing.” Lentz, an outspoken advocate for transgender rights, is organizing a protest scheduled for noon on Friday in response to the controversial edits.
“There is no Pride without Trans folks leading that fight! Trying to erase them from the Birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement will not happen!” Lentz wrote on Instagram, announcing the protest. “We need to show up and speak out for our trans and nonbinary siblings who are under attack.”
The Stonewall Inn, which played a pivotal role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, was the site of the 1969 Stonewall Riots—an event that is widely regarded as the spark for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two transgender women of color, were instrumental in leading the protests that night, challenging systemic oppression and discrimination. Their roles in the movement have long been celebrated as central to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
The removal of transgender-inclusive language from the Stonewall Monument’s web page has been met with outrage from activists and organizations who argue that it distorts the historical reality of the LGBTQ+ struggle. In a joint statement, the Stonewall Inn and the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative expressed their anger at the decision, calling it an “act of erasure.”
“This blatant act of erasure not only distorts the truth of our history, but it also dishonors the immense contributions of transgender individuals—especially transgender women of color—who were at the forefront of the Stonewall Riots and the broader fight for LGBTQ+ rights,” the statement said.
The statement emphasized the critical role of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, such as Johnson and Rivera, in the resistance that eventually led to the establishment of the rights that LGBTQ+ individuals enjoy today. The removal of the word “transgender” from the National Park Service’s website is viewed by many as a direct attack on the transgender community and their place in the movement’s history.
“Let us be clear: Stonewall is transgender history,” the statement continued. “Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and countless other trans and gender-nonconforming individuals fought bravely, and often at great personal risk, to push against oppressive systems. Their courage, sacrifice, and leadership were central to the resistance we now celebrate as the foundation of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.”
The Stonewall Inn and the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative are calling for the immediate reinstatement of the word “transgender” on the Stonewall National Monument’s website, urging officials to honor the full history of the LGBTQ+ movement. Advocates are demanding recognition of the significant contributions of transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of color, who were instrumental in sparking and sustaining the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.
This move by the National Park Service is only the latest in a series of controversial actions under the Trump administration, which has faced criticism for its stance on transgender issues, including efforts to roll back protections for transgender individuals in healthcare and education. The removal of transgender-inclusive language from a key LGBTQ+ landmark only adds fuel to the ongoing debate about the rights and recognition of transgender people in the United States.
As the protest at the Stonewall Inn approaches, LGBTQ+ advocates remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the history of transgender people is not erased from the national narrative. “We will not let this erasure happen,” said Lentz. “We will continue to fight for our trans siblings and their rightful place in history.”
The controversy surrounding the change on the Stonewall National Monument’s web page is a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by transgender individuals in the fight for equality and recognition. As the protest unfolds, it is clear that the LGBTQ+ community remains committed to preserving the legacy of those who paved the way for future generations.
