On this day, 53 years ago, demonstrations and protests began in NYC’s Greenwich Village at the Stonewall Inn – known today as the Stonewall Uprising.

The Stonewall Uprising, just about 100 miles north of Philly, is considered the first significant protest for LGBTQ+ equality in the United States. We should be celebrating how far we have come since this momentous event, yet Republicans are attempting to roll back the clock against the will of the American people.

Today, we’re facing another upsurge of hateful discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans by our elected officials at all levels of government and now – the Supreme Court.

In the wake of overruling Roe v. Wade, in his concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas argued that the Supreme Court "should reconsider" its past rulings codifying rights to contraception access, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage.

The Supreme Court is acting in defiance of the American people. These justices have made it clear that this is only the beginning of their attack on our freedoms. I'm angry that it has gotten to this point, which is why I will not back down, and I ask that you don't either.

John, I hope you will join me in adding your name next to mine and reaffirm your commitment to the protection of our civil rights — including the right to privacy, the right to bodily autonomy, and the right to be who are without fear of discrimination. We must stand firmly with our fellow Americans against these extremist attacks.

In solidarity,

Dwight Evans