What were effects of the Stonewall riots in New York City?
1 Answer
Prior to the Stonewall riots, police could (and did) roust gay establishments on flimsy grounds with no consequences to themselves.
Explanation:
The NYPD (and most other police departments) had a long and undistinguished record of raiding gay bars and related establishments with little or no probable cause. The Stonewall riots marked the first time gay patrons fought back, and they mark a turning point in the quest for civil liberties for the gay community.
It's worth noting that the Stonewall Inn, in New York's Greenwich Village, was mob owned and its questionable hygeinic practices (like soaking glasses in tubs of hepatitis-tainted water) made it a legitimate target for scrutiny from the police and health departments.
But law enforcement in New York had a long history of dealing with the gay community in bad faith, and this was an important step in stopping these practices.
