• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Honor the past and celebrate the present with PRIDE | Opinion
  • Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell ‘did not get enough in royalties’
  • Tom Cruise ‘Would Love to Meet Someone Special’ After 3 Divorces: ‘He Believes the Right Girl Is Out There’

Stonewall Inn Has Been Under Looming Landlord Ultimatum To Sign Long-Term Lease; ‘There is a need to preserve LGBTQ+ history’

Brian Bell June 11, 2021 Leave a Comment

stonewall
Lease troubles: new york’s stonewall inn.

A portion of the historic Stonewall Inn, commonly regarded as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, faces being put back on the commercial market thanks to increased pressure from landlords to sign a high-priced, long-term lease, according to exclusive reporting by the DailyBeast

In a statement to The Daily Beast, the building’s owners, listed only as Christopher and Seventh Realty, LLC, said last week that the ultimatum is the result of Pride Live not providing a “substantive response” to a proposal made in April. “We would like to reach a resolution in a timely manner and believe we have a fair proposal on the table.”

The DailyBeast reported the week-long countdown was set to end yesterday, June 10. No new details have been released as to the future of 51 Christopher Street. The property is not currently listed on publicly available commercial real estate listings as of press time.

“It’s problematic that our movement doesn’t own these key pieces that mark our brave activism and social agitation, and that we continue to be subjected to the whims and winds of the New York real estate market … It shows how easily we can be exploited to protect our own story.”

Tim Gill, foundeR, Gill Foundation

The portion of Stonewall in question lies at 51 Christopher Street. The address hosts a currently empty storefront next to the original Stonewall Inn bar, located at 53 Christopher Street, where 1969 riots sparked the gay liberation movement. Various businesses have occupied the space in the decades since, but recent efforts have pushed for the space to house a permanent ranger station, visitor center and community space to commemorate the designated National Monument.

But last Thursday, shortly after Interior Secretary Deb Haaland posed for photos at the location, the building’s owners issued an ultimatum to Pride Live, the National Park Service and National Parks Conservation Association after two years of intense negotiations over the space. According to The Daily Beast, the owners informed Pride Live it had one week to sign a long-term lease.

.@StonewallNPS is an incredible reminder about the struggle the LGBTQ+ community across the country and globe face just to be treated fairly, love who they want to love, and live their truth. #Pride2021 pic.twitter.com/nPHPUAnE70

— Secretary Deb Haaland (@SecDebHaaland) June 3, 2021

Details of the negotiations have not been disclosed, but similar locations in the area easily reach six figures annually. That price tag is steep, especially against the millions it could potentially cost to renovate 51 Christopher Street for its proposed purpose. The obstacle becomes even more daunting when factoring in the economic hit Stonewall and other businesses in Greenwich experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The landmark bar nearly shut down permanently last summer. According to Eater, a series of GoFundMe campaigns helped raise funds to keep the bar afloat as it was forced to shut its doors for months, similarly to other New York City businesses, due to pandemic restrictions. The Gill Foundation donated $250,000 to the cause as well.

“There is a need to preserve LGBTQ+ history and connect the Stonewall legacy to a new generation of community members and allies,” said Pride Live founder and president Diana Rodriguez. The organization hosted its annual Stonewall Day celebration earlier this week as the clock ticked down on the 51 Christopher Street ultimatum. She declined to discuss specifics of the negotiations with the owners of 51 Christopher Street.

That's a wrap on #StonewallDay2021! HUGE THANK YOU to @AdamLambert, the @FSFoundation_, @TransLashMedia, @TransTechSocial, and @WeAre_OUTLOUD for making this year's Stonewall Day such a huge success! pic.twitter.com/sQrwJAklyE

— Pride Live (@REALPRIDELIVE) June 8, 2021

“During the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, we learned how precarious the history of our movement is,” said Tim Gill, founder of the Gill Foundation. “It’s problematic that our movement doesn’t own these key pieces that mark our brave activism and social agitation, and that we continue to be subjected to the whims and winds of the New York real estate market … It shows how easily we can be exploited to protect our own story.”

This is the latest in a history of complications stemming from the Stonewall Inn remaining privately owned despite President Barack Obama designating it as a National Monument in 2016 and the property being separated into two unique spaces. The lack of a dedicated visitor center resulted in National Park Rangers handing out information about the monument from an SUV outside the building in the five years since its designation.

Stonewall: Previously on Towleroad

Photo courtesy of Daniel Case/Creative Commons

Topics: Health, News More Posts About: Covid-19, New York City, Stonewall, Stonewall Inn

Related Posts
  • Venus was here. Jersey City pays tribute to trans icon by marking childhood home as historic landmark
  • Crimewave targeting LGBTQ clubgoers kills 7 in NYC: report
  • Hate crimes in US surged 11.6% in 2021
  • Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell ‘did not get enough in royalties’

    Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell ‘did not get enough in royalties’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Candace Bushnell “did not get the royalties she deserved” for ‘Sex and the City’. The 64-year-old author wrote a column for The New York Observer that was adapted into the bestselling …Read More »
  • Tom Cruise ‘Would Love to Meet Someone Special’ After 3 Divorces: ‘He Believes the Right Girl Is Out There’

    Tom Cruise ‘Would Love to Meet Someone Special’ After 3 Divorces: ‘He Believes the Right Girl Is Out There’

    Published by OK Magazine mega Tom Cruise is back on the prowl! The three-time divorced movie star has reportedly been in search of a new woman after being single for about a year. mega “Tom would …Read More »
  • Scores detained in Hong Kong on Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

    Scores detained in Hong Kong on Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

    Published by Reuters By Jessie Pang and Ben Blanchard HONG KONG/TAIPEI (Reuters) -Hong Kong police searched and detained scores of people on Sunday, including four arrested for “seditious” intent, as authorities tightened security for the 34th …Read More »
  • Kim Cattrall’s ‘Stipulations’ for ‘And Just Like That’ Cameo Revealed: ‘Refused to Film With Her Former Costars’ Including Sarah Jessica Parker

    Kim Cattrall’s ‘Stipulations’ for ‘And Just Like That’ Cameo Revealed: ‘Refused to Film With Her Former Costars’ Including Sarah Jessica Parker

    Published by OK Magazine mega Before Kim Cattrall could sign on to appear in And Just Like That Season 2, she had some demands that had to be met, including how she refused to film with …Read More »
Previous Post: « Boston Pride President Resigns Amid Boycotts by LGBTQ Activists; Pride Parade Postponement in Question
Next Post: Colorado Pride Flag Display Defaced Multiple Times; Confederate Flag Left at Scene »

Primary Sidebar

Adjacent News

  • Tennessee pride celebrations showcase queer joy amid neo-Nazi threats, legal attacks

    Tennessee pride celebrations showcase queer joy amid neo-Nazi threats, legal attacks

  • ‘It’s about self-care’: Lady Gaga thinks make-up can benefit mental health

    ‘It’s about self-care’: Lady Gaga thinks make-up can benefit mental health

  • Pregnant transgender man featured on cover of Glamour magazine

    Pregnant transgender man featured on cover of Glamour magazine

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y'know

  • Kelly Ripa Savagely Exposes Andy Cohen After He Sent Her a ‘Completely Erect’ NSFW Photo From Potential Suitor

    Kelly Ripa Savagely Exposes Andy Cohen After He Sent Her a ‘Completely Erect’ NSFW Photo From Potential Suitor

  • Elliot Page reveals he was told by A-list actor: ‘I’m going to f*** you to make you realise you aren’t gay’

    Elliot Page reveals he was told by A-list actor: ‘I’m going to f*** you to make you realise you aren’t gay’

  • Andy Cohen Admits Further Plastic Surgery Discussions Were Cut From ‘KUWTK’ Reunion Special: ‘People Would Be Really Surprised’

    Andy Cohen Admits Further Plastic Surgery Discussions Were Cut From ‘KUWTK’ Reunion Special: ‘People Would Be Really Surprised’

Partner Links

  • Prince Harry skipped the first day of the Mirror trial, he only flew in late last night
  • King Charles is giving up Llwynywermod, his 192-acre estate in Wales
  • Morning Round-Up: Elliot Page; Robert Garcia; David Burtka; Jake Shears; WeHo Pride; Julio Rodriguez & more!
  • We Have The Same Paws!
  • Putin Puppet Calls For 'Final Solution' In Ukraine

Most Recent

  • Honor the past and celebrate the present with PRIDE | Opinion

    Honor the past and celebrate the present with PRIDE | Opinion

  • Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell ‘did not get enough in royalties’

    Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell ‘did not get enough in royalties’

  • Tom Cruise ‘Would Love to Meet Someone Special’ After 3 Divorces: ‘He Believes the Right Girl Is Out There’

    Tom Cruise ‘Would Love to Meet Someone Special’ After 3 Divorces: ‘He Believes the Right Girl Is Out There’

  • Scores detained in Hong Kong on Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

    Scores detained in Hong Kong on Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

  • Kim Cattrall’s ‘Stipulations’ for ‘And Just Like That’ Cameo Revealed: ‘Refused to Film With Her Former Costars’ Including Sarah Jessica Parker

    Kim Cattrall’s ‘Stipulations’ for ‘And Just Like That’ Cameo Revealed: ‘Refused to Film With Her Former Costars’ Including Sarah Jessica Parker

  • Thai PM frontrunner attends Pride parade, promising same-sex marriage, gender identity rights

    Thai PM frontrunner attends Pride parade, promising same-sex marriage, gender identity rights

  • Kim Cattrall has ‘moved on’ from Sex and the City

    Kim Cattrall has ‘moved on’ from Sex and the City

  • Eddie Izzard says they are now called ‘Suzy’ and don’t mind being called ‘she, her, he, or him’

    Eddie Izzard says they are now called ‘Suzy’ and don’t mind being called ‘she, her, he, or him’

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

×