Ray Castro, Veteran of 1969 Stonewall Rebellion Dies at 68

Raymond Castro, a veteran of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion in New York City, died in his hometown of Madeira Beach, Florida on Saturday, October 9th. He was 68 years old and is survived by his husband of 31 years, Frank Sturniolo, 50. On June 27, 1969 Castro was inside the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, on the first night of the uprising and is documented as the only person arrested that evening who was known to be gay, according to historian David Carter.

Although police raids of gay-friendly bars were sadly common at the time, on that night people fought back. As two officers were escorting Castro out of the bar, the crowd shouted, "Let him go, let him go," and he pushed against the waiting patrol wagon with both feet, knocking the two cops to the ground. He was put in the back of the vehicle and detained, but was later released without charge. That night's events, including Castro's struggle against police, gave birth to the modern gay civil rights movement.

Castro was recently featured in the PBS American Experience documentary, 'Stonewall Uprising', based on David Carter's book, Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution. Directed by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner, the film was released in theaters this past summer prior to the film's broadcast on PBS stations nationwide this coming April.

David Carter said that all the evidence he collected about the event made him sure that Castro's resistance to his arrest, taking place in public soon after the occurrence of the evening's tipping point--the unknown lesbian who fought the police outside the Stonewall Inn and twice escaped a patrol car she was placed into--helped guarantee that the resistance to the police raid became both massive and violent, and thus had the power to become a transforming symbol of LGBT consciousness: the Stonewall Riots.

Stonewall: Profiles of Pride

June is a month for celebrating our Pride. It's also a time to remember why the gay rights movement is something that none of us can afford to ignore. OURsceneTV's "Stonewall: Profiles of Pride" is a 10-part series that explores the modern gay rights movement through personal stories. Winner of a 2010 "Telly" Award, the series brings to life our triumphs and tragedies, achievements and adversities, and our hopes for the future. Profiles of Pride reminds us how far we've come, but also how hard we must work to get to a time where we'll truly see Liberty and Justice for all.

GLAAD issues statement on White House's Stonewall Commemoration

Jarrett Barrios, incoming President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), today joined fellow lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocates as well as President Obama and Mrs. Obama at a reception to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of 1969 -- when patrons at a New York city gay bar fought back against police brutality and harassment and set in motion a wave of activism.

"It was an honor to take part in this important event for the gay and transgender community with fellow advocates and my 17-year old son," said Jarrett Barrios, incoming President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and former Massachusetts state Senator. "Today's event, the first time that Stonewall was commemorated by the White House, was a symbol of the fact that the administration recognizes our community at a time when there has been growing frustration about his administration's seeming reticence to follow through on campaign promises."

"During his speech today, President Obama said that the road to equality is not only about changing laws, but about changing hearts. Indeed, legal advances are vitally important, but full equality requires us to move our culture - through conversations, living openly in our communities, and through media representations- to a place where gay and transgender Americans are accepted and understood.

Our community will continue to advocate and will be watching closely to ensure Obama makes good on the promises he discussed today and during the campaign. At the heart of the issues discussed today are everyday Americans who want the same chance as everyone else to earn a living, be safe in their communities, serve their country, and take care of the ones they love."

40 years since Stonewall

With the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising on Sunday, the event's impact on the LGBT-rights movement is in the news. Newsweek features a special section looking back at its coverage of the event, including a timeline of the LGBT-rights movement.