Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


They Didn't Set Out to Change US History, But They Did

Associated Press

   NEW YORK - They didn't set out to change history; they weren't the
   first LGBT Americans to mobilize against bias.

   Yet the June 1969 uprising by young gays, lesbians and transgender
   people in New York City, clashing with police near a bar called the
   Stonewall Inn, was a vital catalyst in expanding LGBT activism
   nationwide and abroad. This month's anniversary provides an opportune
   moment to ask: How has the movement fared over the past 50 years? What
   unfinished business remains?

   From the perspective of veteran activists, the progress has been
   astounding. In 1969, every state but Illinois outlawed gay sex,
   psychiatric experts classified homosexuality as a mental disorder, and
   most gays stayed in the closet for fear of losing jobs and friends.

   Today, same-sex marriage is the law of the land in the U.S. and at
   least 25 other countries. LGBT Americans serve as governors, big-city
   mayors and members of Congress, and one -- Pete Buttigieg -- is waging
   a spirited campaign for president.

   Among those looking back with marvel is Stephen Rutsky, 68, a lifelong
   New Yorker who joined in rioting and protests sparked by a police raid
   targeted at gay patrons of Stonewall. He engaged in a wide variety of
   LGBT activism over the ensuing decades.

   "Mobs of gays and lesbians were running around angry and confused, but
   we all knew that something had sparked a change in our world," Rutsky
   remembers. "We were demanding our freedom and there was nothing that
   was ever going to stop us from obtaining it."

   "We've come a long way, baby," he added. "But lots more to do."

   What's next

.