Fed up with the persecution and police brutality they consistently faced for simply being who they are, when police raided the gay bar Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969, its patrons fought back. Widely referred to as the start of the modern gay rights movement, that uprising at Stonewall Inn sparked a social movement that changed the course of American culture.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. To commemorate the anniversary, Stoli® commissioned a limited edition bottle named, “Spirit of Stonewall.” Supporting equality for the LGBTQ community is nothing new for the vodka brand; Stoli has been supporting the LGBTQ community for more than 25 years.
Best known for her beautiful, 13-color rainbow “LOVE” mural located in Washington, D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, the bottle was designed by Lisa Marie Thalhammer, an award-winning visual artist. We chatted with her about the design and the importance of Stonewall.
How does art raise social awareness?
Art is about communication. Literally the word Art is in the word HeART, and when surrounded by color, art raises our LOVE consciousness and our human condition in authentic ways.
As a member of the LGBTQ community, what does the 50th anniversary of Stonewall mean to you?
For me, Stonewall means that change is possible. So many individual struggles and moments of courage have led to a new visibility and cultural shift for humanity. Stonewall is a gay bar, but it was also the front lines of a movement towards LOVE and acceptance.
Can you describe what the Stonewall bottle design means?
The bottle imagery is meant to represent the 1969 LGBTQ uprising that resulted in the first Pride March. The black and white foreground represents our past with the colorful sky and “LOVE” moving us into the present. The design features five hands and three protest signs outside the Stonewall Inn, located at Gay & Christopher Streets in New York City. A rainbow ribbon is held by the protest fist as LGBTQ people stood up and still stand up against brutality. It swirls through the hand symbol for “I Love you” in American Sign Language, and the victory peace sign. To represent our trans women, a hand with fabulous nails holds up a high heeled shoe in triumph. The “Liberation” sign is a reference to the Gay Liberation Front, which was formed after that initial Stonewall uprising and features the gender symbols for gay, lesbian and trans peoples.
How do you take your Stoli (in a cocktail)?
Well, tonight I am drinking my Stoli with some ginger beer and fresh squeezed lime, but most of the time I put it on ice and enjoy!
Despite the legal gains the community has celebrated throughout the years, LGBTQ people continue to face discrimination. It’s important that corporations, who support the community, not only market to LGBTQ consumers, but also support initiatives and organizations that are fighting for equality on the front lines. Stoli is doing just that! A portion of the proceeds from the limited edition bottle will be donated to Stonewall Gives. “We are thrilled that Stoli is continuing its long-standing tradition of supporting the LGBTQ community by working with the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative,” said Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative President, CEO & Co-Founder, Stacy Lentz. “These much-needed funds will help continue the Stonewall legacy especially in places where equality has been slow to arrive, and full legal protections are not in place.”
The limited edition bottle is already behind the bar and at participating retail outlets now. So grab a bottle of Stoli and proudly cheers to equality and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
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