The Stonewall Reader

Fifty years after the uprising that changed everything, this extraordinary anthology pulls you into the heart of the movement that sparked modern LGBTQ rights in America. The Stonewall Reader isn’t just another history book—it’s a living archive, drawing from the New York Public Library’s remarkable collections to bring you the unfiltered voices of those who were there.

Within these pages, you’ll discover first-person accounts, diary entries, and period articles that capture the raw energy and determination of the years surrounding June 28, 1969. The collection shines a light on legendary activists like Sylvia Rivera, co-founder of Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries, while also resurrecting forgotten heroes such as Ernestine Eckstein, one of the few out African American lesbian activists of the 1960s. These weren’t just witnesses to history—they made it.

Edited by Jason Baumann, coordinator of humanities and LGBTQ collections at the NYPL, this volume emerged alongside the Library’s acclaimed Stonewall exhibition. The book earned recognition as a Finalist for the Randy Shilts Award for Gay Nonfiction and landed on multiple “Best of 2019” lists, including Tor.com, Harper’s Bazaar, and The Advocate.

Whether you lived through these transformative years or are discovering this history for the first time, The Stonewall Reader offers an essential, deeply human look at courage, community, and the ongoing fight for equality. Perfect for anyone seeking to understand the roots of pride.

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