Transgender History Under Threat? National Park Service Faces Backlash Over Monument Changes

The National Park Service (NPS) is under fire after quietly removing the term “transgender” and the letter “T” from the acronym “LGBTQ+” on its Stonewall National Monument webpage. This revision has sparked widespread outrage among activists, historians, and advocacy groups who argue that it erases a vital part of LGBTQ+ history. The move has intensified concerns over the diminishing recognition of transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of color, who played a critical role in the Stonewall Riots and the larger fight for LGBTQ+ rights. As policies at the federal level increasingly sideline transgender identities, activists are demanding the immediate restoration of accurate and inclusive historical documentation.

What Changed on the Stonewall National Monument Webpage?

The Stonewall National Monument, a site dedicated to the LGBTQ+ rights movement, recently underwent a significant—and controversial—alteration on its official webpage. Advocates quickly noticed that references to transgender history had been removed, including the exclusion of “transgender” from historical descriptions and the omission of “T” from LGBTQ+. This change has ignited concerns that it aligns with a broader federal push to limit transgender representation in government records. Many believe it reflects a growing trend of censorship, sparking fears that transgender identities are being systematically erased from national history.

Why Removing “Transgender” from Historical Records Matters

The Stonewall Riots of 1969 marked a defining moment in LGBTQ+ history, with figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera—both transgender women of color—at the forefront of the movement. Their activism helped shape the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, making their contributions essential to any accurate historical narrative. By removing transgender references from official records, the NPS risks distorting history and diminishing the impact of those who fought for equality. Many see this as a step toward whitewashing LGBTQ+ history, stripping it of the voices that have long been marginalized. This is not the first time history has been rewritten to exclude key figures, and advocacy groups are determined to prevent further erasure.

Advocacy Groups and Public Outcry

Leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, including GLAAD and the National Center for Transgender Equality, have strongly condemned the NPS’s decision. Many see this as part of a larger pattern of governmental censorship aimed at suppressing transgender visibility. Critics argue that minimizing transgender recognition in historical documentation could set a dangerous precedent for future policies and educational materials.

Public backlash has been swift, with petitions demanding the reinstatement of transgender references quickly gaining momentum. Protests and awareness campaigns are also mobilizing, emphasizing the need to preserve accurate LGBTQ+ history.