In this episode, Chelsea Clinton speaks with Stonewall Inn co-owner, Kurt Kelly, about the history of the Stonewall Inn, the modern LGBTQ+ movement, NYPD’s first formal apology for the raid, and how the Stonewall Gives Back Initiative is mobilizing LGBTQ+ communities in the United States. Plus, meet our Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) alum, Katie Sgarro who is helping LGBTQ+ asylum seekers find safe, immigrant-friendly services though her organization, AsylumConnect. Her CGI U commitment led to the advancement of the first online resource database of its kind in the United States.

Fifty years ago, on June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s West Village neighborhood. It was a regular occurrence meant to intimidate and harass, but this time, the patrons decided to fight back. The uprising and subsequent demonstrations that ensued drew hundreds of supporters and jumpstarted a new chapter of activism and advocacy in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality – a fight that’s still going on today, half a century later.

While LGBTQ+ rights have made some progress in the United States and around the world, it is still a crime to be LGBTQ+ in 70 countries, and unsafe in countless others. Those that are forced to leave because of emotional or physical violence, seek asylum in the United States for the freedom to lead their authentic lives. CGI U alum, Katie Sgarro, is helping LGBTQ+ asylum seekers with verified LGBTQ+ and immigrant-friendly services through the first and only resource website and app.

Copy-written material is featured in this episode with permission from Voices of America