50 Jahre nach Stonewall

Director: André Schäfer
Release Year: 2019

On June 28, 1969, a violent clash erupted around a gay bar located on Christopher Street in New York, marking the beginning of a series of events that would come to be known as the Stonewall Riots. These riots are now seen as a pivotal moment in history, representing the visible beginning of the emancipation of queer people - whether gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

 

The 2019 documentary 50 Jahre nach Stonewall (50 Years After Stonewall), directed by André Schäfer, focuses not on the events of that fateful night, but rather on the changes that have taken place since then and the current state of the LGBTIQ+ community. While the Stonewall Riots themselves were an expression of defiance against systemic oppression, the documentary’s primary concern is to explore the aftermath of that rebellion and examine the current reality for the LGBTIQ+ community. Fifty years on, it asks where the community stands today, highlighting both the advances and ongoing struggles that persist. The documentary offers a snapshot of how much has changed since the violent confrontations between the patrons of the Stonewall Inn and the police in 1969.

 

In many Western countries, homosexuals have gained almost equal legal rights, marking a significant victory for the movement. Homosexuality is now widely decriminalized, and same-sex marriage has been legalized in numerous nations. However, despite these legal strides, homophobia remains deeply embedded in many societies, and the fight for complete equality and acceptance continues. This paradox is particularly evident in countries where LGBTIQ+ rights are still a work in progress. The question the documentary poses is profound: what does Stonewall mean for the LGBTIQ+ community today, particularly in an era where even the formerly deeply Catholic Ireland has elected a gay prime minister and legalized same-sex marriage? While considerable progress has been made, the challenges that remain are significant. Since 1969, many societal changes have taken place, such as openly gay politicians in major cities. For example, the mayors of Berlin and Paris have publicly identified as gay, and this has been accepted without controversy. Yet, in stark contrast, Brunei, a wealthy Southeast Asian nation, recently reintroduced the death penalty for homosexuality, including stoning, revealing how precarious the situation remains for queer people in some parts of the world.

 

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the documentary brings together a variety of voices, from artists to intellectuals to politicians, all reflecting on what Stonewall meant for them and continues to mean. Prominent figures featured in the film include Canadian music icon Rufus Wainwright, the newly knighted transgender French artist Zazie de Paris, and writers such as Carolin Emcke, who was awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade. Also contributing to the conversation are public figures like Claudia Roth, a heterosexual vice president of the German Bundestag, and Frédéric Mitterrand, the openly gay former French culture minister. For these individuals, Stonewall represents a transformative shift - a catalyst for greater visibility and acceptance. Yet despite this progress, discrimination, violence, and marginalization continue to affect many in the LGBTIQ+ community. 

 

The documentary highlights the ongoing struggles faced by queer people in the modern world, stressing that while some battles have been won, the fight for full equality remains unfinished. One of the most striking elements of the documentary is its emphasis on the complexities of queer identity and the challenges of coming out, an issue that still resonates strongly within the community. The film examines the emotional toll of societal rejection, the quest for self-acceptance, and the significance of forming families and having children in an often hostile world. At the same time, it does not shy away from addressing the pervasive realities of discrimination, violence, and even shame that continue to haunt many LGBTIQ+ individuals. In reflecting on the legacy of Stonewall, 50 Jahre nach Stonewall emphasizes both the incredible strides that have been made in the fight for LGBTIQ+ rights and the areas where change is still urgently needed. It paints a picture of a society that has made substantial progress in terms of visibility and acceptance, but one where true equality - social, political, and cultural - has yet to be fully realized.

 

The documentary is a call to action, reminding viewers that the struggle for the rights and dignity of queer people is far from over. It underscores the importance of remembering the Stonewall Riots - not just as a historical event, but as a living symbol of the ongoing fight for freedom, justice, and equality for all.

 

via: Vimeo

 weltexpresso.de and florianfilm.de

Image credits: Vimeo