Back in 1969 a small group of 8 police officers went into the local gay bar to conduct a weekly shakedown of the mafia-bar-owners for some cash and to hassle some queers.  The Stonewall Inn was the night home to all the queers: gays, lesbians, transgender people, drag queens, and assorted randos.  The cops went in on a normal night, just before midnight on June 27th, ready to check some genitals (for real) and grab some cash; they came out a few hours later on the morning of June 28th to a brave new world, cashless and bruised - beaten by a pack of queers.  There were some hurt feelings and it took 50 years for the police commissioner of the NYPD to apologize publicly for the years of weekly harassment and beatings that the gay community endured at the hands of local police.

The events on June 28, 1969 gave birth to a movement, and pride parades, Queer Nation, ACT UP, Lambda Legal, HRC and gaydom in general.  Gays and allies alike owe a big thank you to the brave people who knew how to fight and how to throw a good party at the same time.

But the fight is far from over - all minorities are feeling this today.  The fight never ends, even after the apology is offered.  We all, BIPOC, women, queers, really sexy good looking people, we all are in trouble as history tries to repeat itself - get ready to fight because the fight is ready for you.