Trans Stonewall
Posted by helenboyd – March 9, 2012
http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2012/03/09/trans-stonewall/ (http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2012/03/09/trans-stonewall/)
I found this article denying the importance of trans involvement at Stonewall which states, in part:
This point does not deny that drag queens participated in the riot. They did. It only makes the point that their centrality to the event likely has been exaggerated, probably for ideological reasons.
Finally, these historical disputes have no bearing – either way – on whether "gender identity" ought to be included in gay civil rights legislation. Even if Stonewall was the single casus belli of the gay struggle, and even if transgenders were the only people there kicking shins and uprooting parking meters, so what? And even if no drag queens were present that night, what difference would it make now?
and was pretty surprised. It may be old, but as the comments are closed, and have been, it seemed a reply to it was needed. So I talked to Susan Stryker, who explains:
The thing is, the historical part is largely accurate in its details. What I find fascinating–and frustrating–is that Carpenter can then say "facts don't entirely support the popular myth," therefore throw ->-bleeped-<-s under the bus. Or even: understanding history is hard, make no recourse to the past when staking a political position in the present."