Commemorating the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall Riots

by | Jun 28, 2021 | Activism, California, Featured, Ideas, JCJ Blog, Judaism, LGBTQ

Fifty-two years ago today, the Stonewall Riots set in motion the Gay Liberation Movement. 

The riots began when police raided The Stonewall Inn, which like many gay bars at the time was seen as a safe space. However, the Stonewall Inn was specifically seen as a safe space for transgender individuals who were shut out of gay and straight bars alike. The raid quickly became violent, and when the people in the Stonewall Inn and surrounding bars fought back, it set off a chain of riots that led to the Gay Liberation Movement. As we close out Pride Month and commemorate the Stonewall Riots, there are several LGBTQ+ bills we can still learn about and take action on.

California Bills

AB218 – Change of gender and sex identifier

  • Makes it possible for Californians to change their name, gender, and other identifiers on marriage or birth certificates.
  • Ensures that people who seek to change their names on birth or marriage certificates don’t have to broadcast the information publicly.

SB357 – Crimes: loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense

  • Repeals the criminalization of loitering with the intent and purpose of engaging in prostitution.

Homeless queer youth are up to seven times more likely to trade sex for a place to stay as homeless heterosexual youth. Because of this, the LGBTQ+ population is heavily affected by this bill.

AB746 – Adoption: stepparent adoption

  • Ensures that in stepparent adoptions, the parties do not have to be married or in a domestic partnership for a minimum period of time.

AB1084 – Gender neutral retail departments

  • Requires any retail department store with 500 or more employees and that sells child care items or toys to maintain a gender neutral section.
  • On January 1, 2024, any stores that do not meet these requirements will become liable for a civil penalty.

 

National bills

HR5 – Equality Act 

  • Updates the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • Expands non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans
  • Fills key gaps in civil rights law for cisgender women, religious groups, and immigrants.

Take action on The Equality Act here.

Action alert compiled by JCJ fellow Maddie Goldblatt.