Newswise — President Barack Obama’s announcement that the historic Stonewall Inn will be designated a national monument shines a new light on the LGBT community’s history of struggle.
Stonewall is considered the birthplace of the modern LGBT rights movement, where in June of 1969 patrons of the Greenwich Village gay bar fought back against police persecution. Announced today by President Obama, the Stonewall National Monument is the first addition to the National Park System specifically highlighting the LGBT community.
Luca Maurer, program director of Ithaca College’s Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Education, Outreach and Services, is available to speak about the significance of Stonewall to the LGBT community today.
“It can still be quite difficult for people — LGBT people and non-LGBT people alike — to know our history,” said Maurer. “It’s rarely taught in our schools, families or communities. It is in many respects a hidden history, due to discrimination, stigma and fear. This designation casts light on the people who made today’s continuing work toward equal rights possible; those on whose shoulders we stand."
Maurer is the co-author of “The Teaching Transgender Toolkit: A Facilitator’s Guide to Increasing Knowledge, Decreasing Prejudice & Building Skills,” a detailed collection of best practices, lesson plans and resources on planning, facilitating and navigating the nuances of teaching about transgender people, identities and experiences. He has written for a variety of publications, served as a consultant/trainer and given numerous presentations on such topics as sexual orientation, gender identity, disability issues and HIV/AIDS.
More information on Maurer’s expertise and background is available on the Ithaca College website.
Maurer is available for interviews by telephone or Skype and can be reached at [email protected], or by contacting Dan Verderosa in the Ithaca College Office of Marketing Communications at [email protected] or 607-274-1440.
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