NYC Police Commissioner Officially Apologizes For Stonewall Riots

The historic Stonewall Inn (photo by annulla is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

Is it ever too late to apologize?

The producers of WorldPride 2019 | Stonewall 50 have publicly asked for the New York City Police Department to officially apologize for the violent police raid at the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969.

The brutal raids in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, led to what has become known as the Stonewall Uprising as drag queens, gays, lesbians, and transgender people fought back leading to more protests against police brutality. The event is credited for giving birth to the modern-day LGBTQ movement.

The Executive Board of Heritage Pride, Inc., the organization responsible for producing over 25 events in New York City celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, issued a statement which read, in part:

“Last night, we voted unanimously to demand that the NYPD formally apologize to the LGBTQIA+ community for the violent police raid that triggered the Stonewall Uprising. We offer our stage at the Stonewall 50 Commemoration Rally on Friday, June 28, 2019 for Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill to do so on behalf of the Department.”

The statement acknowledged “significant strides” made by the NYPD under Commissioner O’Neill, but asks the Department to “take responsibility for the decades of police violence committed against” the LGBTQ community in New York City.

The executive board added that the “small, albeit meaningful step” of an apology would demonstrate “what is possible for the future of our community and our movement.”

“Commissioner O’Neill and the NYPD, the eyes of the world are on our city, and we call upon you to show what real change can look like,” the board wrote in closing. “The platform is yours on June 28th.”

In an interview with radio station 1010WINS, openly gay City Council Speaker Corey Johnson also called for an apology.

"The NYPD in the past has apologized for other incidents that have occurred, and so I think the NYPD apologizing on this would be a very, very good thing, and it's something they should do," explained Johnson.

"I would love for it happen this month, and I will bring it up to the police commissioner," Johnson continued. “Because I think it would be an important step toward further healing and reconciliation and recognizing what happened in that crucial moment, and not just in American history, but New York history in June of 1969."



When reached for comment regarding an apology to the LGBTQ community, Commissioner O’Neill told 1010WINS, "The NYPD of today is much different than the department of 50 years ago, and a number of important changes have been implemented that bring the police and all the communities we serve closer together."

With an estimated three million people expected to travel from around the world to New York City for the WorldPride events, O’Neill said, “We are looking forward to the many events surrounding this year's milestone anniversary, and to working with all attendees to ensure that everyone not only is safe, but feels safe, too."

This isn’t the first time the idea of an apology from the NYPD has been floated.

Back in June 2017, at an event hosted by the NYC Bar Association, an attendee in the audience asked O’Neill if he would “apologize for the discrimination and violence” that occurred at the historic raid.

"I think that's been addressed already,” replied O’Neill. “We're moving forward."

But this morning, Eric Bottcher, chief of staff for Speaker Johnson, tweeted that O'Neill formally apologized to the LGBTQ community at the first ever NYPD LGBTQ Pride Month Community Safety Briefing this morning.

"I'm certainly not going to be an expert of what happened at Stonewall," O'Neill told the press. "The actions taken by the NYPD were wrong ... and for that I apologize."

This has never happened: NYPD Commissioner @NYPDONeill apologizes on behalf of the NYPD for the Stonewall raid. Thank you, Commissioner. #pride2019 #NYCPride #WorldPride2019 pic.twitter.com/0pHHGdjzQK

— Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) June 6, 2019

From The New York Times:

“I think it would be irresponsible to go through World Pride month and not to speak of the events at the Stonewall Inn in June of 1969,” Mr. O’Neill said.

“What happened should not have happened. The actions taken by the N.Y.P.D. were wrong, plain and simple,” he added.

“The actions and the laws were discriminatory and oppressive, and for that, I apologize.”

NY State: Town Clerk Forced To Apologize For Refusing Marriage License To Gay Couple

Town clerk Sherrie Eriksen apologizes for denying gay couple a marriage license

On July 30 last summer, Thomas Hurd and Dylan Toften went to the office of their town clerk in Root, New York, to obtain a marriage license.

Instead of a joyful, upbeat episode in their lives, the men were dismayed to be turned down by town clerk Sherrie Eriksen.

She put the couple off saying they couldn’t get a marriage license because they didn’t make an appointment before coming to the office, according to WRAL.

She also told the men that she has a personal objection to same-sex marriage.

That’s despite the fact that New York state legalized marriage equality in 2011, and the U.S. Supreme Court made it the law of the land in 2015.

Toften took to social media at the time to share the incident writing, “Town of Root clerk is a bigot!!! Refused to do our marriage license. She said make an appointment to have her deputy do it… do your job Andrew Cuomo.”

Gov. Cuomo responded to the post by tweeting, “Marriage equality is our law in NY. The denial of a license to a same sex couple is an unconscionable act of discrimination. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I’d like to congratulate Dylan & his future husband on their marriage.”

Marriage equality is our law in NY. The denial of a license to a same sex couple is an unconscionable act of discrimination.

On behalf of all New Yorkers, I’d like to congratulate Dylan & his future husband on their marriage. https://t.co/OIdxyPhyjb

— Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo) August 1, 2018

Several town meetings were held, an investigation was launched, and a lawsuit was threatened by the couple, according to WRGB News.

In the end, an agreement was reached: the town of Root would pay the men $25,000 plus Eriksen would personally deliver a public apology.

And so it came to be on Wednesday afternoon that Eriksen, standing in front of news cameras and town leaders at the weekly town meeting, made her apology.

“In my capacity as town clerk, it is my responsibility to provide marriage licenses to all couples, regardless of sex or sexual orientation, so long as they meet all applicable New York state requirements,” she began. “As such, my office and I will personally will issue marriage licenses to any couple without exception, who is legally entitled to be issued one.”

Her voice wavering a bit, she continued, “On July 30th of last year, there was an unfortunate incident involving Mr Thomas Hurd and Mr Dylan Toften, who came to my office seeking a marriage license.”

“I am sorry for any harm or inconvenience my actions caused the couple, thank you,” she concluded.

Here’s the video via local CBS News anchor Emily DeFeciani:

Town of Root clerk apologizes tonight 8 months after denying a gay couple their marriage license. The town has also reached a cash settlement with the couple. Hear from them tonight only on @CBS6Albany #MarriageEquality #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/e39x399HRK

— Emily DeFeciani (@CBS6_Emily) April 11, 2019

Hurd and Toften eventually received a marriage license from another town and were married on August 18.

The couple told WRGB that they're proud they stood up for marriage equality.

"If we had never stood our ground, how many more people would've had to go through this?" Toften said.

Dylan Toften and Thomas Hurd (image via Facebook)

High School Bully Apologizes To His Victim Years Later

Mina Gerges (image via Instagram)

Egyptian/Canadian model and body positive activist Mina Gerges shared with his Twitter followers a surprise apology he received from his high school bully.

The screen capture of the message read, “Hey man, I just want to apologize for any f*cked up things I said to you or about you in high school. It weighs on me. I hope all is well. Cheers.”

My highschool bully just messaged me to apologize and tbh this is the kind of energy I need in 2019 pic.twitter.com/BKQ5B9Md7Z

— Mina Gerges (@itsMinaGerges) December 29, 2018

Gerges followed up saying he asked the former bully why he was thinking on his actions eight years later.

“He said he felt really bad about it for a while, should’ve been kinder instead, and wished he’d done it sooner,” wrote Gerges. “We love growth!”

Gerges, who has a following of over 110K on Instagram, stepped into the public spotlight in 2015 thanks to his ‘budget conscious’ recreations of celebrity looks. His looks were featured on a host of media outlets including Buzzfeed, Teen Vogue, Paper and more.

View this post on Instagram

I used shredded paper for my hair @beyonce #MinaGerges

A post shared by Mina Gerges (@itsminagerges) on Dec 24, 2014 at 6:42pm PST

With the spotlight, though, came haters who bullied him for his weight, which led to an eating disorder.

Eventually, the trolls inspired Gerges to become an ambassador for body positivity and unrealistic standards of beauty in advertising.

“My goal is to redefine what it means for men to feel beautiful and be considered attractive,” he told Paper. “I want to show that men who look like me can learn to love ourselves even if we don't look like conventional representations of men."

From moving past bullies and online trolls to inspiring folks with a message of body positivity. Mina Gerges, I love YOUR kind of growth!

A few years ago, my first serious boyfriend from my 20s emailed me apologizing for the way he treated me. It had been a somewhat tumultuous relationship.

"You didn't deserve that," he wrote.

While I felt I'd resolved any issues with the relationship and moved on, I was surprised the message left me a bit breathless.

I didn't know it until I read the message how much power an apology - years later - could hold.

It was very appreciated.

Readers, have you ever received an apology from the past? If so, did it help heal some old wounds or no? Let me know in the comments below.

View this post on Instagram

Toilet paper was on sale 🙄 tag a messy bitch! #MetGala #MinaGerges #KimKardashian

A post shared by Mina Gerges (@itsminagerges) on May 1, 2017 at 6:15pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

I used all the chargers and headphones in my apartment to make this dress 🤔😂 tag someone who needs a pick-me-up today! 😘 #MinaGerges #NickiMinaj

A post shared by Mina Gerges (@itsminagerges) on Apr 13, 2017 at 4:36pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

So I made this #Beyonce dress out of marshmallows and Fruit Loops 😍👌🏽 Never felt more fierce in my LIFE! 👸🏽 #minagerges

A post shared by Mina Gerges (@itsminagerges) on Nov 4, 2016 at 12:12pm PDT

(h/t Gay Star News)

UPDATE: Fox News' Laura Ingraham Apologizes To Parkland Student After Losing Advertisers

Well, that didn't take long.

Just hours after three advertisers (pet food company Nutrish, Trip Advisor and WayFair) announced they were dropping their ads on Fox News host Laura Ingraham's evening show for trolling high school senior and Parkland gun massacre survivor David Hogg over his college admission status, the TV host has issued an apology.

Ingraham wrote on Twitter:

Any student should be proud of a 4.2 GPA —incl. @DavidHogg111. On reflection, in the spirit of Holy Week, I apologize for any upset or hurt my tweet caused him or any of the brave victims of Parkland. For the record, I believe my show was the first to feature David... immediately after that horrific shooting and even noted how "poised" he was given the tragedy. As always, he’s welcome to return to the show anytime for a productive discussion.

Any student should be proud of a 4.2 GPA —incl. @DavidHogg111. On reflection, in the spirit of Holy Week, I apologize for any upset or hurt my tweet caused him or any of the brave victims of Parkland. For the record, I believe my show was the first to feature David...(1/2)

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) March 29, 2018

... immediately after that horrific shooting and even noted how "poised" he was given the tragedy. As always, he’s welcome to return to the show anytime for a productive discussion. WATCH: https://t.co/5wcd00wWpd (2/2)

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) March 29, 2018

I do wonder - would she be apologizing if this weren't Holy Week?

You can only imagine network execs had a big say in the apology that was so quickly forthcoming.

You'll recall more than 50 advertisers dropped their ads on “The O’Reilly Factor” after reports surfaced that settlements had been made to women who accused the show’s host, Bill O’Reilly, of sexual harassment or impropriety that ultimately led to his firing from Fox News.

“She only apologized after we went after her advertisers,” Hogg told The New York Times. “It kind of speaks for itself.”

“I’m not going to stoop to her level and go after her on a personal level,” he said. “I’m going to go after her advertisers.”

At this writing, Nutrish, Expedia, Wayfair, TripAdvisor, and Nestle have all dropped their advertising on Ingraham's show.

This is how the free market works, see? She gets to act out as she wants, but we also get to react as we want to her snotty behavior.

Hogg and others responded to Ingraham's tweets:

An apology to save your advertisers is not enough. What you did was disgusting. Our message for common sense gun reforms has won, and the those in opposition have gone negative. They need to pay a price for that. These kids have suffered enough.https://t.co/aNixXkErrI

— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) March 29, 2018

I 100% agree an apology in an effort just to save your advertisers is not enough. I will only accept your apology only if you denounce the way your network has treated my friends and I️ in this fight. It’s time to love thy neighbor, not mudsling at children. https://t.co/H0yWs4zMGk

— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) March 29, 2018

Focus less on fear and more on facts. Then we can save lives in this country together.

— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) March 29, 2018

Scotland Issues Apology For Gay Sex Convictions In The Past

The government in Scotland has issued an official apology to gay men who were convicted of same-sex activity in the past. In doing so, the men or their families will be able to clear their names.

From Reuters:

"It is only right that we address this historic wrong," First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish parliament.

"Discriminatory laws, although abolished, continue to have implications for people to this day," she added. "The wrong has been committed by the state to them, not by the individuals."

She added: "I categorically, unequivocally and wholeheartedly apologize for those laws and for the hurt and the harm they did to so many."

Watching from the gallery, same-sex couples wept, held hands and applauded.

Consensual homosexual acts between men aged over 21 in Scotland were decriminalized in 1981.

"(The) apology will give a great deal of comfort to many who were unjustly prosecuted and will help draw a line, once and for all, under a dark period in Scotland's history," gay rights group Stonewall said in a statement.

Former SAE Fraternity Member Levi Pettit Apologizes For Racist Chant

Levi Pettit, former fraternity member of SAE at the University of Oklahoma who led a racist chant captured on video, spoke at a press event today to apologize for his part in the episode.

“All the apologies in the world won’t change what I have done, so I will spend the rest of my life trying to be the person who heals and brings people of all races together,” Levi Pettit said in a press conference in Oklahoma City.

In a prepared statement, Pettit expressed regret and asked for forgiveness.

“The people I met with have opened my eyes to things I wasn’t exposed to before this event. I think I knew they were wrong, but I never knew why or how they were wrong.”

Of interest though, Pettit would not discuss the chant, or say where he learned it or who taught it to him.

“I’m not here to talk about where I learned the chant or where it was taught. I’m here to apologize for what I did,” Pettit said.

My thought on that is: if Pettit wants to heal the world, why not start where he learned the hateful chant?

Watch the segment on MSNBC.

Social media expressed doubts about Pettit's sincerity.

#levipettit could not explain why it was a chant or where it came from? ...interesting....
— Shawna Jackson (@sjackson_2013) March 25, 2015

#LeviPettit "didn't know how wrong" that the racist #SAE chant was. Sure. I can see how "you can hang them from a tree" can be ambiguous.
— Steve Helling (@stevehelling) March 25, 2015

Former Gov. Charlie Christ apologizes for supporting same-sex marriage ban in Florida

Charlie Crist has publicly apologized to LGBT people for his past opposition to marriage equality.

The former Republican governor of Florida, who is now running for the same post as a Democrat, courted gay voters in an interview with Tom Dyer of Watermark, a Florida-based LGBT publication.   This is Crist's first ever interview with a gay media outlet.

In his remarks, Crist expressed regret his past support of Amendment 2, which changed Florida’s state constitution to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions through a 2008 referendum.

“I’m sorry,” the 57-year-old politician told reporter Tom Dyer. “I’m sorry I did that. It was a mistake. I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

The examples you cited were examples of me trying to be a good Republican. I couldn’t do it anymore, and I’m sorry I did.

"I made a mistake. I’m not perfect… please don’t hold me to that standard. And I’m sincerely sorry. I understand when it’s necessary to say I was wrong. That‘s the journey I’m on… and I’m still on it.

One of the few interviews I've seen in recent history where the journalist actually follows up on questions and hold his subject accountable. During the interview, Tom stays on Crist's pivots regarding LGBT equality and even mentions that for all Crist's great soundbites today, his campaign website mentions nothing about the LGBT community and what his goals might be for our community.

Head over to Watermark for the entire interview. Really worth reading.

(source)