During the last weekend of June of 1969, police and

Alcoholic BeverageControl Board agents entered a gay bar, The Stonewall Inn, on

Christopher Street, in New York City.

Allegedly there to look forviolations of the alcohol

control laws, they made the usual homophobic

comments and then, after checking identification, threw

the patrons outof the bar, one by one.

Instead of quietly slipping away into the

night, as they had done for years, hustlers, drag queens,

students andother patrons held their ground

and fought back.

The agents and policewere trapped inside. The

crowd grew. Someone set a fire. More people

came. For three days, people protested.

And for the first time, afterinnumerable years of oppression, the chant,

Gay Power, rang out.

They fought for many rights: marriage, legal

benefits and protections. Unfortunately this

movement would be stifled with a more immediate

concern.

Cases: 381Deaths: 339

Cases: 767Deaths: 683

Cases: 2708Deaths: 2436

Cases: 6865Deaths: 6012

Cases: 6865Deaths: 6013

47 million people have been infected with HIV since the start

of the global epidemic. As of December 2000, 21.8 million children and adults have died,

and 36.1 million people are living with HIV infection or AIDS.

The AIDS Quilt, established in 1987, covers 26 football fields.

The AIDS Quilt, established in 1987, covers 26 football fields.

It only represents 19% of US AIDS deaths

The AIDS Quilt, established in 1987, covers 26 football fields.

It only represents 19% of US AIDS deaths

It is no longer displayed because it is too large.