As a co-owner of the Stonewall Inn for 20 years and a cofounder of the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, Stacy Lentz has dedicated much of her life and resources to preserving the legacy of this sacred ground of queer rebellion.
But Stonewall is so much more than a physical space, says Lentz, who describes it as “a living platform for change whose influence reaches far beyond the bar itself.”
“Through the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, I carry forward the fight for equality symbolized by the 1969 Stonewall Uprising — connecting people, resources, and stories to create safer spaces, support marginalized people and grassroots LGBTQ+ organizations, and advance equality around the world,” she says.
This was a big year for the initiative, which expanded its reach to support LGBTQ+ communities beyond U.S. borders. “Seeing that idea and the Stonewall Inn’s legacy spread around the world and witnessing the tangible difference it makes has been an extraordinarily rewarding accomplishment.”
“Real change requires standing firmly in our values while keeping the door open for more people to join us,” Lentz says. “Let us practice inclusive belonging every day by listening across differences, welcoming others with intention, and making sure everyone has a meaningful place in the work of building a more equitable world.” @stacylentz
