By By Carol Forsloff Jun 29, 2009 in Lifestyle June 28 was a significant day this year for the gay rights movement. It was on that day 40 years ago gays resisted police intimidation. With shouts of “gay power” a civil rights movement began. This time, shouting “gay power” patrons began to resist by throwing bottles, coins and other objects at the police. Lesbians and drag queens were defiant, whipping up an angry crowd of demonstrators. More and more people from the LGBT community gathered near the inn, until the police had to hide in the bar. The rioting was very frightening, according to Detective Inspector Pine who was there at the time. He said the following during an interview, "I had been in combat situations. But there was never any time that I felt more scared than then." In 1969 gay rights stirred in New York with the Stonewall Riots, so educators at Universities now point to this time as a critical juncture for the Now the issue is gay marriage, so coming out of the closet is no longer as dramatic as it once was. A comprehensive guide to gay marriage lists on June 15, 2009 the following places in North America where The Stonewall riots began during the early hours of June 28, 1969 when police entered the bar called Stonewall Inn in New York and began targeting gay patrons. This had been going on for some time where police were involved in intimidation and payoffs in return for not arresting or publishing the names of gays or to “out” them. Stonewall Inn In the early hours of 28 June 1969 a relatively unassuming gay bar in the West Village of Manhattan became the epicentre of an event that changed the course of gay history.This time, shouting “gay power” patrons began to resist by throwing bottles, coins and other objects at the police. Lesbians and drag queens were defiant, whipping up an angry crowd of demonstrators. More and more people from the LGBT community gathered near the inn, until the police had to hide in the bar.The rioting was very frightening, according to Detective Inspector Pine who was there at the time. He said the following during an interview, "I had been in combat situations. But there was never any time that I felt more scared than then." Rioters came from all directions into the Greenwich area, and so it is said, the Gay Liberation Movement began. Following that movements were initiated in Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Australia, and New Zealand. Historians say this came about because the 1960’s was a time when the social climate was changing and people were open to looking at human rights and social change.In 1969 gay rights stirred in New York with the Stonewall Riots, so educators at Universities now point to this time as a critical juncture for the gay and lesbian movement. Before that time there had been little expression of gay rights. Now some people felt empowered and set out to open the closet for gays across the country.Now the issue is gay marriage, so coming out of the closet is no longer as dramatic as it once was. A comprehensive guide to gay marriage lists on June 15, 2009 the following places in North America where gay marriage is recognized: Canada, Mexico, Connecticut, District of Columbia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Iowa, Oregon, and Washington. California’s legal marriage for gays was overturned by popular vote last year. Still it remains a hot button issue in other places in the United States, where challenges are being raised. Given the history of the gay rights movement, it is likely Stonewall will continue to be remembered as a significant time for a recognition of sexual freedom for the gay community without harassment. More about Stonewall riots, Gay rights, Same-sex marriage More news from Show all 9 stonewall riots gay rights same-sex marriage