stonewall_inn

Stonewall Inn received $250K donation to help keep it open through COVID-19

Like so many bars, clubs and restaurants around the country, NYC’s historic Stonewall Inn has been having tough times since COVID-19 lockdown and launched two GoFundMes to stay afloat: one to pay its staff and the other to pay ongoing expenses. Appropriately enough, on Sunday of Pride Weekend — which marked the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising — The Gill Foundation pledged to match contributions of up to $250,000 to the Stonewall’s GoFundMe for business expenses.

The Washington Blade reported that Gill Foundation co-chairs Scott Miller and Tim Gill said in a statement, “Stonewall is a cornerstone of LGBTQ history and it must be protected. Queer people of color — including trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Miss Major — led the uprisings against police brutality at Stonewall and in doing so helped spark the movement for LGBTQ equality. We must preserve that history and the legacy of the activists who led the charge.”

Stonewall Inn co-owners Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly said in a statement, “As the first and only LGBTQ National Monument, Stonewall is home not only to the history of our community, but also the history of our city and country. We are beyond grateful for this generous pledge that will help us keep the history alive.”

The Gill Foundation hopes to open a permanent exhibition and visitors center near the Stonewall Inn.

The usual Pride March didn’t happen this year due to COVID-19, but the 2020 Queer Liberation March went on anyway.

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