Jennifer Bartlett, left, executive director of the Under the Spire Festival in Indian River, and Noelle Pettipas, communications manager for the festival, say the Remembering Stonewall event on July 29 at St. Mary’s Church will be a powerful telling of stories and music to recognize the LBGTQ community. Photo by Dave Stewart /The GuardianArticle contentOne of the last people alive who was involved in the Stonewall uprisings in New York City in 1969 is coming to Prince Edward Island.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentMartin Boyce will present, Remembering Stonewall: The Courage of Pride, on July 29 at the Under the Spire Festival in Indian River, P.E.I.Article contentArticle contentThe 76-year-old Boyce was one of the people at a gay bar roughly 56 years ago when New York City police began carrying out raids on establishments known to invite queer clientele. The clients and their allies fought back.Article contentArticle content“This was a moment in history where the gay customers at the bar rose up against the police and there was quite a big riot that happened in New York City,” Jennifer Bartlett, executive director of the Under the Spire Festival, told The Guardian in an interview in Charlottetown on July 23.Article content“It changed the trajectory of human rights for LGBTQ people.”Article contentBoyce continues to travel across North America to speak about his story and advocacy work supporting the rights of LGBTQ+ people.Article content Martin Boyce from New York City will be giving a talk at Remembering Stonewall, an event the Under the Spire Festival is having on July 29 in Indian River, P.E.I. It is part of Pride Week. ContributedArticle contentSpreading inspirationArticle contentBartlett said Boyce was all set to wrap up his speaking engagements and retire until Trump was re-elected late in 2024.Article content“Now he feels the need to go around the United States and other countries to talk about the history because he doesn’t want it to be erased.Article content“Martin always felt like we were on this positive trajectory. Now, there is a feeling of fear in the community and there is a real feeling where we feel as though we’re backsliding.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentBartlett said she was visiting Boyce and his husband in New York City and noticed he had a picture on his wall of former U.S. president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle.Article contentArticle contentObama had a national monument designed for New York City’s Greenwich Village.Article contentNow, Bartlett said U.S. President Donald Trump is attempting to have that all erased.Article content“(Trump) has taken transgender names off the history of the monument.”Article contentBoyce now considers it his mission to spread the word about human rights and the LGBTQ community.Article contentPlace for voicesArticle contentNoelle Pettipas, communications manager for the festival, said it is time for more advocacy, change and giving voices like Boyce space to speak out.Article content“It’s important that we’re making spaces for these voices to talk about their stories and advocate, but it’s also important that we listen and I think this is a really important event for people to come to,” Pettipas said.
Remembering Stonewall: New York City gay rights activist to speak in P.E.I.
