Preserving LGBTQ+ History: Why Queer Stories Must Be Remembered and Celebrated

“Incredibly Brave, Badass People Who Changed Their Community”

LGBTQ+ history has been long overlooked in mainstream education, leaving many unaware of the contributions and struggles of the community. Even today, the erasure of queer history persists, whether through the removal of LGBTQ+ terminology from national monuments or the exclusion of pivotal moments from textbooks. In an era when LGBTQ+ rights are under threat, recognizing and preserving this history is more important than ever. It not only honors the past but also empowers future generations to take pride in their identity and continue the fight for equality.

Michael Venturiello, an LGBTQ+ historian and founder of Christopher Street Tours, has made it his mission to make queer history more accessible. Frustrated by the lack of resources available, he created an engaging walking tour of New York City’s historic LGBTQ+ landmarks. "A big part of our mission is access to LGBTQ+ history. For me, this is beyond what I am doing as an individual—it’s about the thousands of people who are now able to have access to this history because of the work my team is doing," says Michael. His efforts serve as a vital link between the past and the present, ensuring that LGBTQ+ history is not just remembered but celebrated.

The Ongoing Erasure of LGBTQ+ History

LGBTQ+ history has often been overlooked, minimized, or deliberately erased from mainstream narratives. Even key moments like the Stonewall Riots were initially misrepresented, with queer individuals painted as criminals or outcasts rather than changemakers. "Homo Nest Raided, Queen Bees Are Stinging Mad"—a headline covering the 1969 Stonewall Riots—illustrates the derogatory tone used to describe the community, a stigma that persists to this day.

Even today, textbook censorship, book bans, and legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ education threaten to remove access to this history, particularly for younger generations who rely on formal education to learn about their community’s past. Without active efforts to preserve and teach LGBTQ+ history, these vital stories risk being forgotten.

The Power of Storytelling in Preservation

Storytelling is essential to preserving LGBTQ+ history, as it helps combat the erasure of important events and figures within the community. Personal narratives, oral histories, and guided tours allow people to connect with the past in a meaningful way, ensuring these stories are not only remembered but also felt. Michael’s company, Christopher Street Tours, brings LGBTQ+ landmarks to life, offering an immersive way for individuals to engage with the rich history of their community.

Michael named his tour company after Christopher Street, a historic site in New York City closely tied to LGBTQ+ history. Beyond being home to the Stonewall Inn and the site of the 1969 riots, Christopher Street holds significance for its role as a gathering place for marginalized LGBTQ+ individuals, including trans people and people of color. The Christopher Street Piers were a vital space for community, activism, and cultural expression, with icons like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera working to promote trans rights.

Reflecting on the importance of preserving LGBTQ+ history, Michael explains that a big part of Christopher Street Tours’ mission is providing accessible LGBTQ+ history. “For me, this is beyond what I am doing as an individual—it’s about the thousands of people who are now able to have access to this history because of the work my team is doing.”

How to Preserve LGBTQ+ History

To prevent the erasure of LGBTQ+ history, several actions can be taken:

• Advocate for Inclusive Education: Support policies that integrate LGBTQ+ history into school curricula, ensuring future generations are aware of their community's struggles and achievements.
• Support LGBTQ+ Archives and Museums: Institutions like the ONE Archives and GLBT Historical Society safeguard critical historical records, preserving stories that might otherwise be lost.
• Engage with Local History: Learn about and visit LGBTQ+ landmarks, whether physically or virtually, to deepen understanding and appreciation of queer history.
• Share Personal Stories: Encourage conversations within the LGBTQ+ community to pass down personal narratives, preserving history in a deeply personal way.
• Challenge Historical Erasure: Stand against censorship, misinformation, and historical revisionism to ensure LGBTQ+ history remains accurate and visible.

Preserving LGBTQ+ history is not just about remembering the past but also about ensuring future generations have the opportunity to understand their roots and continue the fight for equality.

Ensuring LGBTQ+ History is Accessible and Remembered

The absence of LGBTQ+ history in mainstream education sends a damaging message—that queer stories do not matter. Michael highlights the consequences of this lack of representation, particularly for younger people: “Students in their formative years, if they’re not learning this history, what that does to not only queer people, but also allies or anybody in the classroom, is it says that either queer stories don’t exist, which is not true, or queer stories don’t matter.”

This gap in education often results in missed opportunities for queer youth to learn about the resilience and achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals. Organizations like Christopher Street Tours offer a powerful remedy, providing guided tours of LGBTQ+ landmarks and ensuring younger generations have access to vital historical narratives. By incorporating LGBTQ+ history into mainstream education, the next generation will be equipped to continue the work of those who came before them.

LGBTQ+ History Is Still Being Written

Many assume that LGBTQ+ rights have been fully realized after landmark victories like marriage equality. However, the reality is that LGBTQ+ history is still unfolding. Legal protections remain inconsistent, and recent attacks on transgender rights highlight that the struggle for equality is far from over. As Michael explains regarding the removal of “transgender” from the Stonewall National Monument’s website, “To remove their identity completely from that website, I think, is an attempt to remove them completely from history and from society.”

This erasure of transgender history is a form of historical revisionism that impacts the present and future. Recognizing the contributions of figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera is essential, but their work was never meant to be the conclusion of LGBTQ+ history. Each generation must continue to carry the torch and advocate for equality.

Remembering Unsung Heroes: The Legacy of Craig Rodwell

While iconic figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Harvey Milk have become synonymous with LGBTQ+ activism, many crucial figures remain overlooked. One such person is Craig Rodwell, whose work laid the foundation for modern Pride celebrations. Rodwell was instrumental in the 1966 “Sip-In” protest and the founding of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop. His most lasting legacy, however, was his role in organizing the first Pride march. Michael explains, “This idea of LGBT people marching through the streets of their city in June... is now Pride.”

Rodwell’s story reminds us that history is shaped not only by well-known figures but also by those who see the need for change and act on it. By recognizing and sharing these lesser-known contributions, we ensure that LGBTQ+ history remains vibrant and inclusive.

Educating and Empowering Through LGBTQ+ History

Michael also emphasizes that the preservation of LGBTQ+ history is not just about looking backward but about ensuring that history continues to shape the present. “This isn't something that happened 50 years ago that doesn't matter now,” he says. “It does matter now, and this is how you can play a part in continuing that history.”

Whether presenting to students or corporate teams, the goal is the same: educate, empower, and inspire. For younger audiences, Michael often links activism to personal passions, helping students understand that activism is not about grand gestures but about living out values in daily life. For older groups, he ties LGBTQ+ history to corporate social responsibility and diversity initiatives, inspiring continued advocacy.

A Radical Act of Resistance

In a time when efforts to erase LGBTQ+ history are intensifying, preserving and sharing these stories has never been more vital. As Michael notes, "Just the fact that we're talking about trans people on our tour outside of the Stonewall Inn, where [the Trump administration has] erased the word transgender, that is a radical act of resistance and hope."

The act of sharing LGBTQ+ history is a form of resistance—pushing back against efforts to erase and diminish the community's contributions. Everyone can play a role, whether by educating others or simply sharing a queer story that resonates. “Pick at least one queer story that really resonates with you and then share that with everyone you know,” says Michael. These stories are vital for shaping a more inclusive future.

Preserving and Advancing LGBTQ+ History

As we reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s essential to recognize that our history is still being written. The fight for equality is far from over, and we must resist the temptation to assume that progress has reached its final form. While significant milestones, such as marriage equality, have brought much-needed victories, recent challenges remind us that complacency can lead to the erosion of hard-won rights.

Just as our predecessors—figures like Sylvia Rivera, Craig Rodwell, and Bayard Rustin—stood up in the face of adversity, we must continue their work, not by simply recalling their stories, but by living their legacy. The time has come for each of us to step into those roles, regardless of whether we identify as activists, and advocate for the future of our community.

By embracing our identities, sharing our stories, and speaking out against injustice, we make a powerful statement: we will not back down. We must see ourselves as active participants in shaping the ongoing narrative of LGBTQ+ history. Our voices, talents, and actions are what will drive change and prevent the erasure of our rich and vibrant history. It’s not enough to remember the past; we must build on it, ensuring that future generations can look to us as a source of inspiration and courage, just as we look to those who paved the way before us.

And remember: every day is all we have, so you've got to make your own happiness.

For more information on this topic, listen to Episode 145. Resisting Erasure: Preserving LGBTQ+ History (with Michael Venturiello).

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