Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center Celebrates One Year of Global Impact and Education

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Episode Transcript

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Dedicated to honoring LGBTQ plushistory, the Stonewall National
Monument Visitor Center continues to protect and
preserve the Stonewall legacy. The Stonewall National Monument
Visitor Center, SNMVC is celebrating its one year
anniversary on June 28th, 2025, reflecting a significant

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milestone in its mission to protect and preserve the
Stonewall legacy and advance theLGBTQ plus rights movement.
Owned and operated independentlyas a program of Pride Live, the
SNMVC relies solely on donationsand has emerged as an important
cultural institution, drawing more than 65,000 visitors from

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around the world to New York City's historic West Village.
In its first year, the SNMVC hassuccessfully attracted a diverse
national and international audience and offered over 55
educational programs in collaboration with various
organizations, including nonprofits, gay student
alliances, employee resource groups, and professional

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associations across the country,significantly enhancing its
reach. Beyond the physical venue, the
SNMVC serves as an educational hub, providing an immersive
experience that showcases a richarray of LGBTQ plus history and
culture through engaging programs such as in person and
virtual tours, informative lecture series, captivating

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exhibitions, a dedicated theater, and inspiring visual
arts displays. As visitors enter the center,
they embark on a multifaceted educational journey that
resonates with today's generations, motivating them to
uphold the Stonewall legacy and the ongoing struggle for full
equality. These initiatives under score

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the SNMV CS commitment to promoting understanding and
dialogue about the continuous fight for LGBTQ plus equality.
The SNMV CS Profound Impact has garnered widespread recognition.
The Visitor Center received special recognition at the
GLAUDE Media Awards and was named one of the top five Best

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New Museums by USA TODAY. Further underscoring its
significance, Village Preservation honored the SNMVC
with its 2025 Village Award on June 11th, 2025.
Esteemed publications such as Smithsonian Magazine and
National Geographic Traveler UK have highlighted the SNMVC as a

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must visit museum, placing it alongside global landmarks like
the Grand Egyptian Museum, emphasizing its international
prominence and cultural importance.
In a time when LGBTQ plus rightsare increasingly challenged, the
need for a place like the Stonewall National Monument
Visitor Center is more critical than ever, stated Anne Marie

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Gothard, Co founder of the Stonewall National Monument
Visitor Center. We serve as a beacon of
education, remembrance and advocacy, reminding visitors of
the struggles and triumphs that have shaped the fight for
equality and inspiring continuedaction.
Gothard added. The significance of the visitor

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center extends to all generations.
It is a vital space for protecting and preserving stone
walls, enduring legacy, ensuringthat the courage and resilience
demonstrated here continue to inform and inspire future
movements for justice and liberation.
As June 28th approaches, markingStonewall Day, a global day of

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action, the public is invited toattend a series of special
activities at the Visitor Center.
These include a meet and greet with Stonewall pioneer Mark
Siegel on Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th from 12:00
to 4:00 PM. Visitors will also have the
opportunity to participate in a self-portrait project designed

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to capture their personal commitment to the ongoing fight
for full equality. In addition, now through
Stonewall Day, the SNMVC is encouraging supporters to honor
the Stonewall legacy by recitingthe Stonewall National Monument
Visitor Center pledge, sharing it on their personal social
media accounts, and tagging 2 friends.

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And at Stonewall VISC, the pledge is as follows.
In the name of those of those who came before me, I pledge to
be brave, to be true to myself, and to fight like hell for
equality. For further information about
the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, including free
admission, directions and hours of operation, please visit our

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website at HTTPS stonewallvisitorcenter.org to
plan your visit. About Stonewall National
Monument Visitor Center The Stonewall National Monument
Visitor Center SNMVC, independently owned and operated
by Pride Live and 100% donation supported, stands as the first

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LGBTQ plus visitor center withinthe National Park Service NPS
located at 51 Christopher St. The SNMVC opened on June 28th,
2024, commemorating the 55th anniversary of the historic
Stonewall Rebellion, a pivotal event in the pursuit of full

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LGBTQ plus equality. The SNMVC serves as an
educational resource, offering an immersive experience through
in person and virtual tours, lecture series, exhibitions, and
visual arts displays. Founded by two queer women of
color, Diana Rodriguez and Anne Marie Gothard, the SNMVC aims to

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protect and preserve the legacy of Stonewall, acting as a beacon
for future generations.