by Fred Kuhr

Mark Segal, founder and publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News as well as a participant in the Stonewall Rebellion, is now working with the National Parks Conservation Associations (NPCA) as the group’s Ambassador for Change.

The March 6 announcement came at a critical time for the National Park System (NPS), according to the non-profit group that advocates on behalf of America’s national parks. “Sites within our National Park System are attempting to erase history that includes people and places related to LGBTQ+ contributions including at Stonewall National Monument,” according to the group’s announcement.

In fact, back in February, the NPS removed transgender references from its Stonewall National Monument web pages, even though trans people played an outsized role in the Stonewall Rebellion. The move came after Donald Trump’s executive order for the federal government to only recognize male and female gender as assigned at birth.

“Together NPCA and Segal will share the Stonewall story and its impact on American society and its impact on American society with more people through public engagement, education and events throughout the year,” the group said. “Stonewall National Monument is not only a place that changed our history for the better, its national significance and influence on American society continues to resonate and inspire today.”

The Stonewall National Monument in New York City’s Greenwich Village is the nation’s first NPS historic site devoted to LGBTQ history and civil rights. A landmark 2016 study highlighting the history of the LGBTQ community was also removed from the NPS website.

The NPS also removed all references to transgender people from its website devoted to Dupont Circle, reported the Washington Blade. The NPS owns and maintains the Dupont Circle park, which is at the center of D.C.’s LGBTQ neighborhood. Among the changes, all references to the area’s LGBT community became “LGB.”

“As someone who has personally fought in the battle for LGBTQ+ visibility for 55 years, I will not allow that history to be erased or rewritten at will,” said Segal. “Stonewall is the place where we began. We were vocal. We were visible and collectively, we changed the course of history. My experience here forever changed me. I’m thrilled to be working with NPCA to ensure more people know this story and that America’s national parks are inclusive in sharing the accurate and important contributions from our community. I welcome all to come to Stonewall and to the visitor center to learn and connect with pioneers that came before them, to feel proud of who they are, and to know they have the power to make a difference.”

“We are proud to partner with Mark Segal whose personal experiences at Stonewall led to successful equality and civil rights reforms that inspire and benefit us today,” said Timothy Leonard, Northeast Program Manager for the NPCA. “The power of Stonewall’s story remains as meaningful today as it was more than 55 years ago. We are thrilled to work alongside Mark who embodies the American ideals our parks represent. Together we will work to ensure our parks continue to include diverse, inclusive stories that are welcoming for all and celebrate the contributions of those that came before us.”

IN THE NEWS
Volume 27
Issue 2