‘She Never Read a Book’

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow has drawn criticism from a key figure in the Stonewall Riots and other LGBTQ activists after claiming the historic 1969 protest was a “transgender riot.”

Maddow made the remark while discussing recent controversy over the removal of transgender references from the Stonewall National Monument’s website.

The change, which affected how the National Park Service describes the event, has reignited debate over the role of transgender individuals in the uprising.

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During her segment, Maddow asserted that the memorial “commemorates a riot by trans people” and likened the website changes to “telling Cooperstown they are no longer allowed to mention baseball anymore.”

Her characterization of the event was swiftly challenged by Fred Sargeant, a gay activist who was present during the Stonewall Riots and later co-led the first Pride parade in New York City.

Sargeant took to X to criticize Maddow’s comments.

“Rachel Maddow has said some weird stuff over the years, but this beaut shows that she’s never read a history book about the Stonewall riots and apparently only uses trans Reddit as a source for these things,” he wrote.

He also referenced Stormé DeLarverie, a lesbian activist widely believed to have played a pivotal role in sparking the riots.

“How could any lesbian not know who Stormé DeLarverie was or what the makeup of the crowd was that night? Hint: it wasn’t 500-700 transbians,” Sargeant added.

Rachel Maddow @maddow has said some weird stuff over the years but this beaut shows that she’s never read a history book about the Stonewall riots and apparently only uses trans Reddit as a source for these things. How could any lesbian not know who Stormé DeLarverie was or what… https://t.co/1btJgVNhgw

— Fred Sargeant (@FredSargeant) February 15, 2025

The Stonewall Riots, which took place in June 1969, were sparked when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village.

The protests lasted six days and are considered a defining moment in the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

The historical details surrounding the riot have long been debated. While some activists claim transgender figures like Marsha P. Johnson led the protest, Johnson herself stated she arrived after the riot had already begun.

Others have argued that the crowd was primarily composed of gay and lesbian patrons who resisted police harassment.

The backlash against Maddow’s remarks was echoed by others on social media.

One user wrote, “The revisionist history bend that pro-trans everything has is so offensively disgusting.”

Another commented, “Embarrassed to count her among the lesbian ranks. I almost want to turn in my lesbian card, take an axe to my toaster oven, burn my flannel shirts, and chuck my hiking boots. Nah. Let’s kick her out instead!”

A third user criticized the attempt to rewrite history, writing, “I thought she would be better than this. It’s gross that she supports revisionist history.”

I just sent the following email to MSNBC:

Last night, Rachel Maddow lied brazenly about the history of the gay rights movement, specifically regarding the Stonewall Riots. In her report, she stated the following:

“Hundreds of people showed up to protest the Trump administration… https://t.co/VVrByuIGOD

— Joseph Jones (@JoeGayHistorian) February 15, 2025

Maddow’s comments came amid controversy over recent edits to the Stonewall National Monument’s website.

On Thursday, the National Park Service removed references to transgender individuals, altering phrases such as “LGBTQ rights movement” to “LGB rights movement” and eliminating words like “transgender” and “queer” from the site’s text.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the changes, calling them “cruel and petty.”

“Transgender people play a critical role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights — and New York will never allow their contributions to be erased,” Hochul posted on X.

The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative and representatives from the current Stonewall Inn also issued a statement condemning the edits.

“This blatant act of erasure not only distorts the truth of our history, but it also dishonors the immense contributions of transgender individuals — especially transgender women of color — who were at the forefront of the Stonewall Riots and the broader fight for LGBTQ+ rights,” the statement read.

However, some activists argue that the LGBTQ movement has shifted in recent years, with trans activists pushing policies on gender identity and sports that have created new divisions.

Some prominent figures within the movement have voiced concerns that the fight for equal rights has been overshadowed by more radical political agendas.

The debate over Stonewall’s history continues to reflect broader tensions within the LGBTQ community, as different groups push competing narratives about the origins and legacy of the movement.

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