Director: Greta Schiller and Robert Rosenberg
87 mins / 1984 / USA

On June 27, 1969, police raided The Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York. In a spontaneous show of support and frustration, the city’s gay community rioted for three nights in the streets, an event that is considered the birth of the modern Gay Rights Movement.

Revealing and often humorous, the award winning Before Stonewall exposes the fascinating and unforgettable decade-by-decade history of homosexuality in America, from 1920s Harlem through to World War II and the witch hunt trials of the McCarthy era.

Before Stonewall is essential viewing for all those who have celebrated their sexuality, or have been persecuted because of it. This documentary uses extensive archival film, movie clips and personal recollections to construct an audiovisual history of the gay community before the Stonewall riots, showing on the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

This film is F-Rated. The F-Rating is applied to all films which are directed by women and/or written by women. Find out more about F-Rating.

How you can support the Electric Palace:

Thank you.