Stonewall Inn Turns to GoFundMe to Stay Afl oat
Historic bar, plagued by pandemic, buoyed by donations for venue, its employees
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
The future of the Stonewall
Inn appears to be
in jeopardy.
The historic landmark
and the birthplace of the modernday
LGBTQ rights movement, like
many bars and restaurants, has
been closed for in-person dining
throughout the pandemic. Despite
New York City opening outdoor
dining for restaurants, the team
at the Stonewall Inn fears that the
restrictions will affect their business.
On June 13, the Stonewall Inn
launched a GoFundMe to help
keep the bar afl oat as New York
still faces COVID-19 restrictions.
“The Stonewall Inn faces an uncertain
future and we are in need
of community support,” the Go-
FundMe says. “The road to recovery
from the COVID-19 pandemic
The Stonewall Inn launched a fundraiser to stay afl oat in response to fi nancial woes during the coronavirus
era.
will be long and we need to continue
to safeguard this vital piece
of living history for the LGBTQ
community and the global human
rights movement and we now must
ask for your help to save one of the
GABE HERMAN
LGBTQ+ community’s most iconic
institutions and to keep that history
alive.”
At the time of publication, the Go-
FundMe has brought in $314,402,
surpassing its $300,000 goal. Another
COMMUNITY
GoFundMe page was set up
for the staff of the Stonewall Inn
back in April of this year, and has
raised over $42,225 with a goal of
$60,000.
“We look forward to the day we
can welcome all of you back, raise
a glass and celebrate the return to
our normal lives. Until then, stay
safe, take care of your loved ones
and be strong.” the GoFundMe
reads.
In 1969, the Stonewall Inn was
the sight of the historic uprising
by members of the LGBTQ community
against a police raid that
galvanized the community and
gave rise to the 1970 Christopher
Street Liberation Day March. That
march paved the way for annual
Pride marches in the United States
and in other countries across the
world.
The Stonewall Inn did not return
a request for comment.
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