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The Stonewall Riots

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The Stonewall Riots: The Beginning of a Movement
Throughout history, homosexuals have been persecuted for being themselves. From the suicide of the ancient writer Sappho to Leonardo Da Vinci's arrest for “sodomy”, we can see that people have loved others of the same sex since the beginning. Only now, in modern times, have we allowed the LGBT+ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, and plus.) to be seen as equals in the eyes of the law. Yet, these strides towards equality have not been without its sacrifices. It is believed by many that the modern day LGBT+ movement was sparked by the Stonewall Riots. As a result, the Stonewall riots proved to homosexuals that they were persecuted and maltreated. It pushed those who were still reluctant, and someone whom I was quite close to, to finally start believing that it was time to speak up for their rights.
For eons, homosexuals have lived in fear: a fear of coming out and showing the world their true, raw selves. They have been tormented and looked down on for living lifestyles different than the "traditional" way. There are numerous reasons why homosexuals choose to keep their true selves hidden behind a forced facade. Unfortunately, this is because of the fact that many people in the past, and present, think lesbians and gay men have psychological problems. Thus, they are seen as a danger to the public. Harassment of gay and lesbian people was one method used to fight them off.
The harassment of LGBT members today is still

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