Stonewall

Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights

By: Ann Bausum

Narrated by: Tim Federle, Ann Bausum

That’s the Stonewall.
The Stonewall Inn.
Pay attention.
History walks through that door.

In 1969 being gay in the United States was a criminal offense. It meant living a closeted life or surviving on the fringes of society. People went to jail, lost jobs, and were disowned by their families for being gay. Most doctors considered homosexuality a mental illness. There were few safe havens. The Stonewall Inn, a Mafia-run, filthy, overpriced bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, was one of them.

Police raids on gay bars happened regularly in this era. But one hot June night, when cops pounded on the door of the Stonewall, almost nothing went as planned. Tensions were high. The crowd refused to go away. Anger and frustration boiled over.

The raid became a riot.

The riot became a catalyst.

The catalyst triggered an explosive demand for gay rights.

Ann Bausum’s riveting exploration of the Stonewall Riots and the national Gay Rights movement that followed is eye-opening, unflinching, and inspiring.

Our history is important

This powerful story reminds me over and over how important it is to share queer history with you. Tim Federle also does an amazing job narrating this story. This should be required in high schools and I will definitely listen again and again.

Mixed Bag

Lots of good information, lots of background info and first person accounts. Unfortunately centered on cis white gay men to the exclusion of trans people and POC.

lgbt people and straight cisgender need to read

this is a quick read and is a good read for stepping through the door of learning about lgbt history. i can easily see this as a starter lgbt history book. I also liked the narrirator.

Powerful, important read

Whether you are an ally, like myself, or whether this subject speaks directly to you personally, I highly recommend that you read/listen to this title. It’s moving, upsetting, encouraging, and essential. I highly recommend it! I think you’ll be glad if you read it!

Well written & narrated

An interesting history of Stonewall. Though it had much less about the actual riots than I thought it would - interviews & perspectives of folks that were there, etc.