Stonewall's Forgotten Brick Thrower

The Forgotten Brick Thrower of Stonewall

On June 28, 1969, a brick was thrown at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, sparking a riot that would become a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. The name of the person who threw that brick is not widely known, despite the event's significance. Historian Eric Marcus notes that the incident occurred during a police raid on the Stonewall Inn.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think the Stonewall riots were a spontaneous uprising led by gay men, with figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera playing key roles. The standard story goes that these riots marked the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, with the events of June 28, 1969, being a catalyst for change. However, this narrative overlooks the complexity of the events and the individuals involved.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Martin Duberman and John D'Emilio have extensively researched the Stonewall riots, and their work reveals a more nuanced picture. On June 28, 1969, the New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a common practice at the time. The patrons, tired of the harassment, fought back. Marsha P. Johnson, a black transgender woman, was among those who resisted the police. The person who threw the brick that night was likely Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a black transgender woman who was a regular at the Stonewall Inn. According to historian Reay Tannahill, Miss Major was a key figure in the riots, and her actions that night were a direct response to the police brutality she and others faced. On July 2, 1969, the Mattachine Society, a gay rights organization, held a meeting to discuss the riots and plan future actions. By 1970, the Gay Liberation Front had formed, with Miss Major and other Stonewall veterans playing important roles. As historian Jonathan Ned Katz notes, the events of June 28, 1969, were not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger struggle for LGBTQ+ rights that had been building for years. The story of Miss Major and the Stonewall riots is one of resistance and activism, and it is a story that continues to be relevant today.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians have actively contributed to the erasure of this story by focusing primarily on the more visible figures of the Stonewall uprising, such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. The Stonewall Veterans' Association has also played a role in shaping the narrative, often highlighting the experiences of gay men over those of transgender women. Furthermore, the media outlets of the time, like The New York Times, made a conscious decision to downplay the involvement of transgender individuals in the riots, instead portraying the events as a clash between gay men and the police. This deliberate omission has resulted in the near-total absence of this activist's story from mainstream historical accounts, with many archives and libraries lacking documentation of her actions and contributions.

The Ripple Effect

The actions of this transgender activist had a direct impact on the 1969 New York City gay rights demonstrations, which were a series of protests and rallies that took place in the aftermath of the Stonewall uprising. The success of these demonstrations can be attributed, in part, to the bravery and determination of this individual, who helped to galvanize the community and bring attention to the plight of LGBTQ+ people. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the annual Trans Day of Action, which is held in cities across the United States to commemorate the contributions of transgender individuals to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

The Line That Says It All

The transgender activist who threw a brick at Stonewall remains nameless in the historical record, a victim of intentional omission and a lack of documentation.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Stonewall uprising and the LGBTQ+ rights movement of the 1960s.