“National Parks Have A Spine, Trans Lives Are On The Line.” Protest At Stonewall National Monument In Photos

February 14, 2025 Abbie Thompson

Protestors flooded the site to fight for trans rights and visibility Friday, Feb. 14.

In the midday sun, “National Parks have a spine, trans lives are on the line,” could be heard echoing down Christopher Street as members of the queer community gathered at the Stonewall National Monument on Friday, Feb. 14. The monument became the site of protests following the National Park Service’s decision to remove the words “transgender” and “queer” along with the “TQ+” of the LGBTQ+ acronym from the monument’s website.

In 2016, the site became the first national monument to raise an LGBTQ+ flag and has since become a tourist attraction and gathering place for those visiting the historic Stonewall Inn. Today, protestors filled the park with anger, solidarity, passion, and love for the trans and queer members of the LGBTQ+ community whose existence has been wiped from the federal website. Here is a look inside the event.

Protest sign at Stonewall National Monument 2.14.2025 — Photo by Abbie Thompson.

Organizers and speakers pose for photo after protest at Stonewall National Monument 2.14.2025 — Organizers and speakers adorned with trans flags gathered for photos after the protest ended. Photo by Abbie Thompson.

Poster of Marsha P. Johnson during the protest at Stonewall National Monumnet 2.14.2025 — Marsha P. Johnson, a trans activist credited with starting the Gay Liberation Movement and fighting in the Stonewall Riots, was kept present at the protest through posters, speeches, and chants. Photo by Abbie Thompson.

Protestor holds a brick painted with the trans flag at a protest at Stonewall National Monument 2.14.2025 — One protestor stood with a brick painted in the pattern of the trans flag. Photo by Abbie Thompson.

The Protest Through Signs

Protestor holds sign reading, "Erase this. U fugly bigots" at Stonewall National Monument 2.14.2025 — Photo by Abbie Thompson.

Protestor holds sign at Stonewall National Monument 2.14.2025 — Photo by Abbie Thompson.

Influential Speakers

City Councilmember Erik Bottcher attends protest at Stonewall National Monument 2.14.2025 — City Council Member Erik Bottcher spotted at the protest. Photo by Abbie Thompson.

Elected officials of New York, City Council Member Erik Bottcher and Representative Jerry Nadler, arrived to speak to the crowds. “We will not stop fighting for full equality across every corner of this country and across the globe,” Bottcher said.

Among the numerous other speakers was Bernie Wagenblast, a trans voice actor who is best known for being one of the voices of New York’s Subway. “I will not let any government take away the joy I feel as a trans person. The T Train is now at the station,” Wagenblast said as the crowd erupted in cheers. “Please stand away from the platform edge.”

Tanya Asapansa-Johnson Walker, trans activist, co-founder of the New York Transgender Advocacy Group, and US Veteran, took the stage to share her feelings about the country she fought for. “I did not serve my country to die under a fascist government,” Walker said. “They want to kill us but I’m not going to let those motherf*ckers kill me.”

Local New York drag queen Marti Cummings used their time to warn that anti-trans hate is just a distraction from the failings of the Trump Administration. They also spoke about the horrors that young trans kids are having to watch occur in the United States. “The kids are watching and we are here to tell them that they are worth it, they have value and they are important,” said Cummings. “They deserve not just to be trans kids but to grow into trans adults.”