The Look of Pride: Examining the Social Movements of Stonewall, Windsor, and Obergefell

• In Event: Queering Institutions and Research

Abstract

In 1969, law enforcement conducted a raid on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. At that time, "gay bars" were illegal and raids against these bars often resulted in violence against the patrons. The culmination of years of abuse and discrimination would lead to pushback in the form of riots that would occur over several days after the raid. These protestors are often considered the marginalized of the marginalized. In 2013 and 2015, two Supreme Court cases (Windsor and Obergefell) would lead to national marriage equality. The plaintiffs in these cases were cisgender, well-respected members of their communities and are considered homonormative or "straight looking and acting". This paper examines the role of the Stonewall Riots and these two court cases through the lens of the Social Movement Theory of Counterpublics. It also compares and contrasts the locations of these events (the Greenwich Village streets versus the highest court in the United States) and the participants. Finally, it poses the question as to whether the Supreme Court cases would have been as successful had the plaintiffs been more like those who participated in the Stonewall Riots, and what role does the court of public opinion have on a social movement.

Authors

• Angela Glosser, Indiana University Kokomo

• Niki Weller, Indiana University Kokomo