10th Anniversary of the Stonewall National Monument Celebrated at Nation's First LGBTQ+ Visitor Center
Pride Live's Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center convenes leaders to honor Stonewall's legacy and safeguard LGBTQ+ history.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK — FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026 — This week, Pride Live, a social engagement and advocacy nonprofit, convened business, community, and government leaders at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC) to mark the 10th anniversary of the Stonewall National Monument.
The gathering also celebrated the two-year anniversary of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center — the first LGBTQ+ visitor center within the National Park Service — and its role in protecting and preserving the legacy of Stonewall. Since opening on June 28, 2024, the SNMVC has welcomed nearly 125,000 visitors from all 50 states and 93 countries, and has delivered more than 100 educational programs to school districts, employee resource groups, Gender and Sexuality Alliances, and community organizations worldwide.
"We must never forget our continued fight to preserve the present while empowering the future. By standing on the shoulders of our history, we can protect the progress we've made today and build a stronger foundation for tomorrow," said Chelsea Clinton."We must never forget our continued fight to preserve the present while empowering the future. By standing on the shoulders of our history, we can protect the progress we've made today and build a stronger foundation for tomorrow," she added.
Chelsea Clinton and National Park Service Manhattan Sites Superintendent Amy Sebring headlined the evening honoring the legacy of the Stonewall Uprising, reinforcing the importance of partnerships and ongoing vigilance in championing LGBTQ+ civil rights.
"On behalf of the National Park Service, thank you for helping us preserve, protect, and tell this important story for generations to come. We look forward to continuing this work together for many years ahead," said National Parks Superintendent Sebring.
Marking the historic occasion, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal joined the celebration to present Pride Live with an official proclamation. The declaration formally honors the day as "Stonewall National Monument Appreciation Day" across the borough, cementing the landmark's enduring legacy and the SNMVC's efforts to preserve the stories of LGBTQ+ pioneers, activists, and community members whose contributions continue to shape a more inclusive and equitable society.
Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center Co-Founders Diana Rodriguez and Ann Marie Gothard recognized the donors, business partners, and community advocates whose support made it possible to develop and sustain this historic space. The event also addressed broader systemic challenges facing LGBTQ+ history across the United States, underscoring the urgent need to prevent historical erasure and protect community spaces.
"We gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Stonewall National Monument, a milestone that belongs to everyone who has ever stood up for our community," said Gothard. "While we celebrate, we must also recognize this as a call to action: sanctuaries like Stonewall are irreplaceable, and we must actively defend them."
To close out the unforgettable evening, activist band BETTY took the stage for a powerful live performance. They perfectly captured the night's enduring spirit, concluding the event with a high-energy rendition of their iconic anthem, "Pride."
To learn more about the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, visit www.stonewallvisitorcenter.org.
Photography by: Zihao Huang
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Pride Live Media, Pride Live, 1 212-355-6295, media@pridelive.org.
About Pride Live:
Founded in 2012, Pride Live is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to accelerating awareness and support for the LGBTQ+ community through social advocacy and community engagement to advance the fight for full equality. From partnering with the most marginalized and underrepresented organizations, to supporting the effort that led to the declaration of the Stonewall National Monument, to conceptualizing and developing Stonewall Day, and creating the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center—the first LGBTQ+ visitor center within the National Park Service—Pride Live works in service of the LGBTQ+ community. To learn more about Pride Live, visit www.pridelive.org.
