Based on Kurt Kelly and Stacy Lentz’s reflections, one thing becomes clear: the Stonewall Inn is far more than a historic landmark—it remains a living symbol of resilience, activism and community. As the owners celebrate 20 years of stewardship, they view Stonewall not simply as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, but as an ongoing reminder that progress is never guaranteed. While they acknowledge the remarkable victories achieved since the 1969 uprising, including marriage equality and greater social acceptance, they also emphasize the importance of educating younger generations about the struggles that made those gains possible. “If they don’t know their history, they might not have a future,” Kurt notes, underscoring the responsibility Stonewall carries in preserving and sharing that legacy.
For Stacy and Kurt, the mission extends beyond honoring the past. Through the Stonewall Inn and its nonprofit initiatives, they continue to create space for activism, community outreach and emerging LGBTQ+ artists. Pride Month remains especially meaningful as visitors from around the world gather outside the historic building, recognizing it as a beacon of courage and change. Whether through performances, educational programs, fundraising efforts or simple conversations with first-time visitors, Stonewall continues to inspire people to carry the fight for equality forward. As Stacy reflects, those who visit should leave understanding that they are “standing on the shoulders of giants” and feeling empowered to become part of the next chapter in the ongoing struggle for justice, visibility and inclusion.
INTERVIEW >>>Every year, thousands of people visit the Stonewall Inn. What do you hope they take away from their experience?
KURT- A lot of things. The importance of our history. The importance of supporting the community.
STACY- I think we want everyone to feel welcome and understand that community is what built that. We want them to feel welcome and included as soon as they walk in that space. We hope that while they’re exploring history, they become inspired to keep that fight going. The fight for equality.
How do you balance preserving the history of Stonewall while keeping it relevant for new generations?
KURT- Education. The younger generation has to know that their history. Because without their history, they might not have a future. They have to know that there was a time when they couldn’t say who they loved.
Or who they are. They have to know the people fought for their right to say what they can say today. They can’t forget that. So if they don’t know their history, they might not have a future. We might not have a future.
What challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community today would surprise those who participated in the original Stonewall uprising?
STACY- Wow! That is interesting. I think there are a lot of things that would have surprised them. They would probably be shocked about how far we have come. They would probably also be surprised that we have got a lot of wins, including marriage equality, same sex adoptions, protections in the workplace. At least here in the US. Not everywhere around the globe. But they would probably also be shocked that after all that fighting for, winning, and getting some of these wins, they can be taken away at any second. We are seeing some rollbacks. And they will probably be shocked and not understand that we are seeing rollbacks all across the globe. I think they would also probably be shocked at how divided the community is. The cool thing about Stonewall is it was everybody. It was black trans women, it was white gay men, it was butch lesbians, homeless queer youth. They all came together to create a moment and to create a movement. And I think they would really be surprised that in order to keep that movement going in this current time in 2026, it will all come together again.
How has the Stonewall Inn evolved since becoming an international symbol ?
KURT– I think it was lost in the early 2000s. The historical value it held in the gay community. I think throughout the world they knew more about the history than we did here in New York. In the United States.
STACY- I think that is true. I think through our travels we found out that in Europe and other places a lot more people know about Stonewall than sometimes here in New York. I would also think it might have been some luck and timing on our end. We have owned the bar for 20 years and we have put in a lot of hard work. Especially in the beginning. We reached out to global magazines. We are really good at getting press. When you support the community, the community will support you. I think they understood that. I think we have been in a fortunate place where a lot of things have changed in the last 20 years in a positive way for the LGBTQ community. And also an unfortunate place because now we are seeing some of those rollbacks. The push/pull movement. You make progress and then there’s a backlash. Two steps forward and one step back. We are definitely in a back moment.
KURT- That is history in most things. I think when we took over, we turned it around and cleaned it up. We made it known much more out there. Just within the couple years we took over.
STACY- I also think we made it more than just a bar. So now we are creating a brand. An institution. As a place to not just preserve history and legacy, but to keep that legacy going through our nonprofit that we all founded. We put it back at the forefront. We are doing outreach globally through our nonprofits to create safe spaces all over the world and to create grants to organizations all over the globe. So it’s been a concentrated effort on our part. It’s been community support. It is also been kind of what’s going on in terms of LGBTQ rights over the last 20 years or so.
KURT- It is important to know that Stonewall In Gives Back Initiative is the official and the only nonprofit of the StonewallInn.
During Pride Month, what moments or traditions at Stonewall are especially meaningful to you?
KURT- When we clean up and go home at the end.
STACY- I think for me, it is standing out front and watching the march go by. Because everyone stops in front of Stonewall. They go crazy–they cheer. They get excited. As soon as they turn the corner and see that building, it becomes the loudest place. That is a really cool moment. Seeing that everyone understands the secret history of this space.
I don’t participate, but one year I got to go in and Kurt gathers his team and does a big cheer about Pride. He does a toast and gets everyone revved up.
KURT- That’s what it is. Before we open the doors, I give a cheer to Gay Pride, but they’ve got to keep the legacy going.
STACY- It’s kind of like a team huddle that Kurt leads. For me inside, I’m very excited to see that.
KURT- I think through the month of June, people come from all over the world. They stand outside and take pictures every single day. The most exciting and fun thing is to talk to these people and give them a little history on what’s going on. I take them in and I show them the club. I let people know throughout the world what went on.
How do you see the future of LGBTQ+ activism, and what role can places like Stonewall play in that future?
STACY-You the activism piece is something we’ve done that is really important. Because we don’t want to ever just live off the history. That is why we work very hard to fund non-profit groups and letting them have their events upstairs, in addition to our own. I think the future of activism really is about getting everyone on the same page. I think Stonewall plays a role in that because it is a testament to how you can make change when everyone comes together. That infamous night in June 1969 was the entire community saying they’d had enough and we are all going to come together and fight back. We should be having that moment now. Right now, we should all be coming together to fight back. That is the lesson from Stonewall. It is almost even tied into where we are with the 250th anniversary of America. When we are united, we win. When we are divided, we fall. We need a younger generation to pick up that torch. Not just learn about Stonewall, but keep that legacy going. Keeping that fight alive.
KURT- The role I think Stonewall will play is once our time is up and it is time to sell, we would not sell it to just anyone. Unless someone has the same ambition and heart that we do to pass the baton on.
If the walls of Stonewall could speak, what do you think they would say to the world today?
KURT- We’ve been here forever. Never give up.
STACY- I think it will probably say resiliency is the key to not just keeping the building standing, but keeping a community standing.
What does it mean to host artists, musicians and performers in a venue with such a powerful legacy?
KURT- I think our platform goes on someone else’s platform to speak out with the community about the community and for the community.
STACY- A lot of the artists that we platform are up and coming. They are not even that well-known. They get their start at Stonewall. It’s really awesome to see their careers take off from there. So it is a really cool moment to know that you are helping an LGBTQ musician kind of get off the ground sometimes. We have got to launch some careers, which is really cool. It’s not just about visibility, but really the community getting to have a really great show. We also get to amplify the work that we are doing and they get to amplify the work that they’re doing as well.
For someone visiting Stonewall for the very first time this Pride Month, what experience do you hope they leave with?
KURT- Education. I hope they know more about it. That our fight isn’t over. We are 50% there, but we have another 50% to go.
STACY- I think gratitude for what the incredible people did. And that they know they are standing on the shoulders of giants. Change doesn’t come without people and communities willing to take risks and fight back. And that they feel inspired to do the same.
STACY- June 1st, we are having our annual Pride kickoff for Stonewall and the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, our nonprofit. We have Bradley Gibson, from The Lion King. We have Avery Cochrane, who is an up-and-coming LGBTQ artist. We have Yuhua Hamasaki who was on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 10. And we also have a former Ms Stonewall, who’s going to perform. And we also have Luke Evans giving opening remarks. Luke is currently up for the Tony for his role in The Rocky Horror Show.
KURT- On the 21st, we have the Absolutely Fabulous: 20th anniversary party. They’re having one in New York and one in L.A. and one in London.
STACY- The calendar is fully booked, with a ton of amazing events. Fundraisers. Really cool stand-up shows. Different kinds of performances. It is a full schedule all through the month of June. It is 20 years of this group owning the bar, in addition to the 10 year anniversary of the Stonewall monument in the park. It is the 10th year of us working with the Obama administration and a lot of other folks to make that happen.
It is the 20th anniversary of Stonewall being open.
