First Look: New exhibit at Newseum explores fight for LGBTQ equality
Groundbreaking exhibit explores 50 years of LGBTQ history, starting with the Stonewall riots
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, an event largely celebrated as the catalyst that inspired the modern gay liberation movement and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ equality in the U.S.
A groundbreaking exhibit commemorating that historic event, “Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement,” opens tomorrow, March 8, at the Newseum.
In addition to the June 1969 raid on New York City’s Stonewall Inn — and subsequent pushback from LGBTQ people — the exhibit highlights key moments of history, including: the 1978 assassination of Harvey Milk, one of the country’s first openly gay elected officials; the creation of the Rainbow flag; Frank Kameny’s pioneering advocacy; the AIDS crisis; the implementation and later repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell;” and the fight for same-sex marriage.
As perhaps the perfect example of how far the LGBTQ community has come, look no further than Family Pride Weekend, March 9 and 10, which celebrates the exhibit’s opening by offering free admission for up to two children (18 and younger) with the purchase of one adult general admission ticket. The offer is only available at the Newseum’s admission desk on March 9 and 10.
And there’s even more happening on Saturday, March 9, with fun activities with mix107.3’s street team and a program hosted by The Jack Diamond Morning Show’s Jimmy Alexander at 2:30 p.m. in the Knight TV Studio.
Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement runs through December 31 at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $14.95 to $24.95. Call 202-292-6100, or visit www.newseum.org.
Scroll down for some more photos of the Rise Up exhibit:
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