Stonewall relates to the life of gays in the 1960s America. In this period, gay was assumed to be a behavior that could be learned and unlearnt. Thus, gay was considered to be a choice by an individual. This had consequences since the society did not embrace gays. If anything, gays found themselves being vilified and attacked. Disclosing one’s sexuality as gay was likely to encourage physical and psychological attacks. Space for gays to express themselves was virtually unavailable. During this period, the scientific community was obsessed with research work to help gays unlearn their behavior. On the other hand, the mainstream media was at the forefront in promoting the idea that gay was a learned behavior.

Stonewall Inn was a small bar in Greenwich Village of New York. The bar was vital because it was one of the few places where gays could meet freely. When the New York mayor gave a directive to the police to get rid of the ‘deviants’ from the city (Gander), the gays risked arrests. Stonewall was raided numerous times by the police until the group, together with the local community decided to stand up against the authorities. Huge crowds gathered in favor of gay rights and denounced the gay arrest. The demonstrations marked a significant turning point in the gay rights movement. Stonewall became a symbol of resistance that sparked gay pride and the fight for gay rights.

The purpose of the film was to present the journey of gay rights movement. The documentary presented its audience with the brutality perpetrated against gays in the 1960s. Gays virtually had no life to be proud of. They had to look over their shoulders, just in case someone or the police noticed their sexuality. Besides, the society was not welcoming, and being gay was seen as a disease. Hence, gays were projected as delinquents and a danger to the community.

The perspective of the filmmakers was sympathetic to the gays. As a result, the movie captured the finer details of the struggles. For instance, the description of the raids by police on gay bars and persons suspected to be gays is detailed. One cannot help but sympathize with the situation. In fact, it almost appears a miracle that the gay movement was not vanquished and lived to survive. The filmmakers did a good job in covering various angles of the struggles of the gays, from the media campaigns to schools parades, addresses against gays, to raids in gay bars. This was important, not only in understanding the circumstances around the gay struggle at the time but also to elicit empathy among the audience.

The film was effective in passing its message. It captured the scenes from an emotional perspective, to illustrate the difficulties facing gays in the 1960s. By looking at the struggles as portrayed by the movie, one can appreciate the expanded space enjoyed by gays today. Gays have been through vicious attacks over the years, but the spirit has lived on.

One of the shortcomings of the movie is the short period dedicated to the riots following the raid at the Stonewall Inn. Stonewall Inn and riots prompted by police arrest of gays at the inn are the genesis of the gay rights movement (Gander). The community rioted against police brutality minted upon the gay community. This marketed a shift in gay rights movement. It completely changed the course of history as gays realized they had the power to bargain for their rights. Therefore, significant time and descriptions should be dedicated to understanding the factors which sparked the gay rights movement.