LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Stone-
wall Democratic Club of New York City

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 25th Anniversary of the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York
City, to be celebrated on Thursday, May 19, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City was founded in
February of 1986 as the first and only citywide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
and Transgender (LGBT) Democratic organization in New York City; and
WHEREAS, The organization is named in honor of the Stonewall Rebellion
of 1969, the beginning of the modern gay rights movement; in 1969, New
York's gay community decided to fight back against the ongoing routine
of police harassment and arrest of gay men, lesbians, and transgender
people in Greenwich Village; and
WHEREAS, On June 27-28, 1969, a conflict erupted when the patrons of
the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, decided to stand up and fight
to defend their rights to congregate at a gay bar; the engagement with
the police went on for nearly a week and eventually led to a new policy
by New York City and the police department to end the harassment and
arresting of LGT people; and
WHEREAS, The Stonewall Democratic Club was founded to continue to
fight for those rights; the most important issues of concern in 1986
were civil rights and health, and the founders wanted to create a strong
voice that would represent the interests and concerns of the LGBT commu-
nity; the goals were to influence policies on the city, state, and
national levels of government; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Stonewall Democratic Club of New
York City; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joseph G. Hagelmann, III, President of the Stonewall Demo-
cratic Club of New York City.