President Trump accused of ‘cruel and petty’ move following executive order: ‘It’s an attack on the truth’
Critics have criticized President Donald Trump for making a controversial amendment to a historical monument, calling the action “cruel and petty.” The adjustment has been met with an outcry from the public.
The recent changes to the Stonewall National Monument’s official website, made following an executive order signed by the 78-year-old president, have sparked considerable controversy. The National Park Service (NPS) announced on February 13 that all mentions of “transgender” individuals had been removed from the site’s description.
The order, which was signed on the president’s first day back in office, has been described by the White House as an effort to “restore biological truth to the federal government.” The Stonewall National Monument, located in the Greenwich Village area of Manhattan, was established in 2016 to honor the Stonewall Uprising of 1969—an event that played a key role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights.
While the uprising involved activists who identified as both gay and transgender, the revisions to the official description have removed any acknowledgment of transgender people’s involvement in the event. This move has led to criticism and concern from advocates and community leaders who believe the changes erode the historical contributions of transgender individuals to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
The revision of the Stonewall National Monument’s website, following an executive order signed by President Trump, has led to significant backlash. The previous version of the website emphasized the monument’s importance in the struggle for the rights of the full LGBTQ community, but the updated description has altered the language. Specifically, the term “LGBTQ” has been shortened to “LGB,” and references to transgender individuals have been omitted.
The new text now reads: “Before the 1960s, almost everything about living openly as a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) person was illegal.” The Stonewall Uprising, which took place on June 28, 1969, is still recognized as a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBT civil rights and the catalyst for a broader movement. However, the erasure of transgender contributions to the cause has sparked outrage.
The decision has prompted widespread condemnation, particularly from Democratic lawmakers and LGBTQ+ advocates. On X (formerly Twitter), New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the modifications “cruel and petty.” She emphasized that “transgender people play a critical role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights – and New York will never allow their contributions to be erased.” The revision has ignited further discussions about the role of transgender individuals in LGBTQ+ history and civil rights activism.
The decision to remove references to transgender individuals from the Stonewall National Monument’s website has sparked outrage, particularly among those who see it as an attempt to erase critical contributions to LGBTQ+ history. Congressman Jerrold Nadler, whose district encompasses the Stonewall Monument, criticized the revision, calling it “an attack on the truth, an attack on the transgender community, and an attack on the very values of justice and equality that we as a nation claim to uphold,” as reported by News.com.au.
A demonstration was held outside the monument on Friday, where activists voiced their anger and disappointment. E. Garcia, a participant in the protest, told writer Shannon Power, “You can’t erase trans people, especially with Stonewall, and that’s the attempt that’s trying to be made when trans people were the ones that started the riot.”
Another protestor, Meghan, expressed her deep frustration, calling the revision a “slap in the face” and adding, “If the queer community hadn’t been available to me, I wouldn’t be currently available.” The protest underscored the feelings of betrayal many in the LGBTQ+ community feel regarding the erasure of transgender history, especially in the context of Stonewall, a pivotal moment for both the gay and transgender rights movements.
Under the administration of the two-time president, the removal of transgender-related references from the Stonewall National Monument’s website is just the latest in a series of executive actions targeting transgender rights.
Since his return to office, Trump has introduced several controversial measures aimed at restricting the rights of transgender individuals. These actions include banning transgender women from competing in female sports, transferring transgender female prisoners to male prisons, rolling back protections for transgender military personnel, and removing health information specific to transgender people from official government websites.
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), which works to preserve U.S. national parks, has strongly criticized these changes to the Stonewall Monument. Timothy Leonard, a representative of the NPCA, stated, “Erasing letters or web pages does not change the history or the contributions of our transgender community members at Stonewall or anywhere else.” This statement underscores the enduring significance of the transgender community in the Stonewall Uprising and their ongoing role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, despite the administration’s efforts to diminish their place in history.
Legal challenges are already underway in response to these actions, with civil rights organizations arguing that the directives issued by Trump violate constitutional protections. These groups contend that the removal of transgender-related references from the Stonewall National Monument’s website, along with other actions targeting transgender rights, is an infringement on the rights of transgender individuals and their contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. The ongoing legal battles will likely center around the First Amendment and equal protection clauses, as advocates work to preserve the historical integrity of the Stonewall Uprising and protect the rights of transgender people.
