During the last weekend of June of 1969, police and Alcoholic Beverage Control Board agents entered a gay bar, The Stonewall Inn, on Christopher Street, in New York City.

Allegedly there to look for violations of the alcohol control laws, they made the usual homophobic comments and then, after checking identification, threw the patrons out of the bar, one by one.

Instead of quietly slipping away into the night, as they had done for years, hustlers, drag queens, students and other patrons held their ground and fought back.

The agents and police were trapped inside. The crowd grew. Someone set a fire. More people came. For three days, people protested.

And for the first time, after innumerable years of oppression, the chant, Gay Power, rang out.

They fought for many rights: marriage, legal benefits and protections. Unfortunately this movement would be stifled with a more immediate concern.

Cases: 381 Deaths: 339

Cases: 767 Deaths: 683

Cases: 2708 Deaths: 2436

Cases: 6865 Deaths: 6012

Cases: 6865 Deaths: 6013

47 million people have been infected with HIV since the start of the global epidemic. As of December 2000, 21.8 million children and adults have died, and 36.1 million people are living with HIV infection or AIDS.

The AIDS Quilt, established in 1987, covers 26 football fields.

It only represents 19% of US AIDS deaths

The AIDS Quilt, established in 1987, covers 26 football fields. It only represents 19% of US AIDS deaths It is no longer displayed because it is too large.