Washington, D.C. — Today, Center for American Progress Executive Vice President for External Affairs Winnie Stachelberg made the following statement about the announcement that President Barack Obama has established the Stonewall Inn National Monument in New York City.
President Obama continues to enhance America’s national park system to reflect the rich diversity of American history. Today, in the midst of Pride Month and the New York City Pride celebration, President Obama honors the struggle for LGBT rights by recognizing the Stonewall Inn’s importance to the movement. His announcement about the inn’s designation has particular resonance given the horrific violence so recently perpetrated on the patrons of Pulse nightclub in Orlando, as the Stonewall Inn was also a safe gathering space for LGBT people marred by violence. As a native New Yorker, I am especially proud and grateful that President Obama is adding this new monument to his legacy of protecting places that tell the stories of the fight for women’s equality, the struggle for workers’ rights, and paths to freedom from slavery. As we celebrate the centennial of our national parks, the president is leading the way toward an inspiring and inclusive vision for the future of conservation.
Related Resources:
Building a More Inclusive National Park System for All Americans by Nidhi Thakar, Claire Moser, Laura E. Durso
Better Reflecting our Country’s Growing Diversity by Jessica Goad, Matt Lee-Ashley, Farah Z. Ahmad
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Tom Caiazza at [email protected] or 202.481.7141.
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