Outrage at Stonewall: Protests Erupt After “LGBTQ” Becomes “LGB” on Government Website
In February 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) made a controversial change to the Stonewall National Monument‘s website, removing references to “transgender” and “queer” individuals and altering the acronym “LGBTQ” to “LGB.” This modification has ignited widespread protests and discussions about the erasure of transgender and queer histories from significant cultural sites.
The Stonewall National Monument, established in 2016 by President Barack Obama, commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots—a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, notably led by transgender women of color. The recent changes to the monument’s website are in line with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump upon his return to office, which mandates federal recognition of only two sexes: male and female.
In response to these alterations, hundreds of protesters gathered at the Stonewall National Monument to voice their outrage. Demonstrators emphasized the critical role that transgender and queer individuals played in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and condemned the website changes as an attempt to erase their contributions. Activist Bernie Wagenblast stated, “We will not stand by as our history is rewritten to exclude the very people who stood up and sparked a movement.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also criticized the NPS’s decision, describing it as “cruel and petty.” She emphasized the importance of acknowledging the full spectrum of identities that contributed to the LGBTQ+ rights movement and called for the immediate restoration of the original language on the monument’s website.
The executive order has had broader implications beyond the Stonewall National Monument. Various federal agencies have begun removing LGBTQ+ content from their websites, affecting resources related to health, education, and civil rights protections for transgender and queer individuals. Advocacy groups express concern that these actions not only erase vital information but also signal a broader rollback of rights and recognition for the LGBTQ+ community.
As protests continue, activists and community leaders are calling for solidarity and action to preserve the inclusive history of LGBTQ+ landmarks. The situation at the Stonewall National Monument serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by transgender and queer individuals in the fight for recognition and equality.
