Do you think that knowledge of Stonewall ended with Generation Y??? I think Gen. X possesses some knowledge, not as much as the baby boomers? As a society, have we forgotten Stonewall, why is this event lacking from history books? I find that the majority of heterosexuals aren't even aware of this movement...Your thoughts?
2006-09-14 09:49:57 · 16 answers · asked by ThisMess 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
I don't think Stonewall is a generational thing, it's a gay thing. Most people who aren't gay don't know or haven't heard about it because it has to do with gay men and women. I'm not saying straight people shouldn't know, they just don't because it's not in our history books and it's not something talked about in the hetero community.
I just goes to show that society in general wants to forever keep homosexuality in the closet.
2006-09-14 09:59:19 · answer #1 · answered by lovenice 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It does seem so. That's why we should push to keep the memory alive. I'm in between generations, too young to be a boomer, to old to really be Gen X. I can only hope the Historians can keep the memory of Stonewall alive for the future. I teach those that will listen, but sadly I find far too few who will.
2006-09-14 16:54:31 · answer #2 · answered by IndyT- For Da Ben Dan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that anyone who didn't live in those times...for me about 1973...can really realize the oppression we were under..the newspapers even refused to print the word gay or homosexual in them...refused!...I remember going to clubs where liquor wasn't allowed and everything was really secretive.I was just coming out and I was terrified. I think it's never gonna be easy to come out..but at least now people can find support much easier...I hope that Stonewall is never forgotten...the people involved were THAT brave....because they had so much more to lose than people in the same situation do now. It's looks like such a simple little stance against the police now...but then it was just unheard of for gay people to actually stand up and collectively say "enough is enough"...I think we should always remember.
2006-09-14 18:30:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a GenXer and I think I'm pretty knowledgeable about Stonewall. (I've done my reading.) Sad to say, but It seems history of all kinds seems to be lost on most of my generation.
As for heteros, I agree with Lovenice. They really don't want to know.
2006-09-14 21:45:17 · answer #4 · answered by WEIRDRELATIVES 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Gen Xer, I knew nu-thing about Stonewall until I started reading gay and lesbian non-fiction books and coming out to friends this year. I'd never even heard the term.
2006-09-14 23:50:36 · answer #5 · answered by lucy_ritter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 26 and read about it and saw the movie . I have it in one of my books called: Out in All Directions. I think it is as nasty as any other hate crimes. Some people might not care because they live life in the present for themselves and not in the future. I was one of them and I wised up a bit. So, I think it takes ignorance to not know what Stonewall was all about!
2006-09-14 17:00:19 · answer #6 · answered by justincausejustintime 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was born in 1966 so it was not really before my time but before the time I would have been watching the news.
I was never told about stonewall and never heard about it before today I am glad I finally heard about it.
Thanks for posting about this so I could see the links provided to you about it and find out about this important event to homosexuals in this country.
2006-09-14 18:24:33 · answer #7 · answered by ♂ Randy W. ♂ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it to be a generational thing and ended way before "Generation X". I say this because there are other factors that have paramounted our attention and focus us on topics such as: AIDS, Gay Marriages, Don't Ask/Don't Tell Policies and Gay Rights. In as much; these are generational topics; as will be with the next generations to come. In addition; its extremely important to learn about history and the sacrifices others have made for present and future generations.
2006-09-14 17:18:27 · answer #8 · answered by Swordfish 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Didn't you know that Gay Pride is just a party? I'm saddened that we cast off our past to live in the here and now. I would argue that it is symptomatic of Reaganomics and Thatcherism; that these imbued those affected by them with a more self-contained (or perhaps even selfish) view of their world.
2006-09-14 17:09:55 · answer #9 · answered by unclefrunk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Define generational. I'm 27 and I've read about it. David Carter has written a wonderful book about the riot, the events that caused it, and the fallout.
2006-09-14 16:57:20 · answer #10 · answered by lcraesharbor 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋