The Stonewall Uprising - How Human Rights Expand in a Democracy
- May 15
- 3 min read
Updated: May 27
Grade Level: 9-12
Duration of Video: 4 minutes, 35 seconds
Themes:
Human Rights
Democracy
Equality Under the Law
Freedom of Speech
Civic Action
Discrimination
Safety and Dignity
Rights in Practice
Systems of Change
The Stonewall Inn in New York City became an important symbol in the history of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Description:
Students learn about the Stonewall Uprising as a key moment in the history of human rights in the United States. Through video, discussion, and guided analysis, students examine what happened before Stonewall, why people’s human rights were not being protected, and how democratic systems can allow people to speak up, organize, challenge unfair treatment, and work toward expanding rights over time. Students also compare this process to places where people may not be able to safely protest or advocate for equal rights. The Stonewall Uprising began after a police raid at the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969, and was followed by several days of protest; the first Pride marches took place one year later.
Lesson Plan:
🎯 OBJECTIVES (SWBAT)
Discuss what happened during the Stonewall Uprising
Analyze how rights were functioning at the time
Explain how change can occur within a democratic system
Compare systems where rights can and cannot expand
🧰 MATERIALS:
Video: Stonewall: The Event That Started Pride Month | WHAT THE PAST?
Student Worksheet 1: The Stonewall Uprising: How Rights Change (Printed for each student or digital copy)
SMART Board
Writing utensils
Index Cards
📋 LESSON FLOW
Hook
Ask:
“What does it mean to help someone?”
Turn and talk or quick share.
Say:
“Today we are going to learn about people who saw something unfair and worked to help others and themselves in a peaceful way.”
Hand out Student Worksheet 1: The Stonewall Uprising: How Rights Change (Printed for each student or digital copy).
Go over with students and "How Change Happens" section of Student Worksheet 1: The Stonewall Uprising: How Rights Change.
Video Time
Say:
"I'm going to show you a video about the Stonewall Uprising. As you watch the video, notice what was not fair before the uprising and how things changed."
Watch Stonewall: The Event That Started Pride Month | WHAT THE PAST?
Teach
Ask
“How does change happen?”
“Did change happen right away?”
“What are some ways Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Stormé DeLarverie affected change peacefully?”
“How do you think people find it in them to keep going when things are hard?”
“When you hear the word resilience, what do you think of?”
Ensure students understand the meaning of resilience.
“How did Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Stormé DeLarverie demonstrate resilience?”
Partner Work
Have students work with a partner to complete Student Worksheet 1: The Stonewall Uprising: How Rights Change (Printed for each student or digital copy)
Reflect
Students share out answers
Assess
On an index card students respond to:
Just like change does not happen on its own, it also does not continue on its own. How do we help protect change? Have students share their responses on their index cards.
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