The Stonewall Uprising: Human Rights & Freedom
I am very exciting to announce the release of my next booklet: The Stonewall Uprising: Human Rights & Freedom. It can be downloaded here:
Acting as if you are already free
What was so exciting for me during my research was realizing how applicable anthropologist David Graeber's concept of "acting as if you are already free" is to the Stonewall Uprising. While seemingly simple, it can be quite a challenging proposition if you don't fit into the boxes that society prescribes for you.
Holding hands with the person you love in public was an act of protest if you were a gay man in the US in the 1960s. It was a simple act that was often responded to with violence. But as you will see in the booklet, that is also what makes the actions of the people on Christopher Street on the night of June 28, 1969 so beautiful and courageous.
Such beautiful and courageous acts are important guideposts for co-creating our own inclusive, equitable, and freeing spaces with those around us, whether they be on the playground or in the world of work.
Understanding its place in history
A theme I also started in this booklet that I will be developing in the future booklets is the inter-connectivity of history. The Stonewall Uprising and the LGBTQ+ Rights movement isn't a niche topic for LGBTQ+ people. It is an important and interconnected part of United States history. The booklet makes some of those connections with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Declaration of Independence, and the Civil Rights movement.
Unmatched Athlete event this Saturday, June 17, 2023!
The booklet also features the work of Unmatched Athlete. They are a non-profit in Maryland that encourages youth who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies ages 5 to 18 to participate in sports and fitness. I will be volunteering at the table for the above event at Movement Climbing Gym from 2pm to 4pm. I hope to see you there! They do great work and my kids had a lot of fun the last time they attended an event with Unmatched Athlete there.
Up Next!
Stay tuned for another newsletter this month sharing more of the interesting things I learned about the Stonewall Uprising as well as more resources for adults and kids.