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Before Stonewall1984

Documentary
American
1hr 25m
Directed by Robert Rosenberg and Greta Schiller

In 1969 the police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village, leading to three nights of rioting by the city's gay community. With this outpouring of courage and unity the Gay Liberation Movement had begun. BEFORE STONEWALL pries open the closet door, setting free the dramatic story of the sometimes horrifying public and private existences experienced by gay and lesbian Americans since the 1920s. Revealing and often humorous, this widely acclaimed film relives the emotionally-charged sparking of today's gay rights movement, from the events that led to the fevered 1969 riots to many other milestones in the brave fight for acceptance. Experience the fascinating and unforgettable, decade-by-decade history of homosexuality in America through eye-opening historical footage and amazing interviews with those who lived through an often brutal closeted history.

Recognition

1987 News and Documentary Emmy Awards

Outstanding Informational Cultural or Historical Programming - Programs

Cast & Crew

Starring

Rita Mae Brown - Narrator

Directed By

Executive Produced By

John Scagliotti

Produced By

Cinematography

Edited By

Bill Daughton

Genres Festivals & Awards Related Articles

Poster & Images

Member Reviews (14)

Thomas P.

top reviewer

Interesting interviews. The Eisenhower story was intriguing; the General sure wouldn't "pass muster" in today's Republican Party lol

1 member likes this review

Bruce T.

CLASSIC, AMAZING FOOTAGE! ESSENTIAL!!!

1 member likes this review

Greta S.

I still love this movie. It launched my career and for the first time put queer people into the dominant culture narrative.

Laila B.

This is an essential resource for oral history of the early and mid-twentieth century gay experience and reflects the diversity of queerness in the United States.

Vivian R.

beautifully historic and powerful. loved it!!

Mitchell G.

Very informational of an era where people were being persecuted openly. This time period is not long ago and still continues in secret. Tolerance through education is one way today's homosexual community benefits from it's abusive past. As laws change around the nation, we are witnessing a slow process of evolutionary significance. The main resistant culture belongs to biblical followers. They feel a spiritual and intellectual advantage due to biblical scripture denouncing this behavior. I do believe that like slavery gave a certain group an advantage, this issue is in fact a civil course, allowing a un-even playing field. Where we are sworn to be free men, all in the quest for happiness? That's why it is extremely important to protect the LGBT community with laws. We have a governing body that separates church and state issues, we must pursue that, abide by that and enforce those issues to balance the playing field.