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Stonewall Inn is officially a historic landmark
A straight teen was arrested after smashing in Stonewall Inn’s iconic window-front.
William Gomez, 19, was thrown out of the historic gay bar on Christopher Street, New York City early on 7 July.
He was hanging out with his co-workers when, late at night, he was thrown out for belligerence.
Straight teen smashed in Stonewall Inn’s iconic window
The 19-year-old allegedly returned with a baseball bat about 4.30am and smashed the bar’s window.
He then reportedly punched homes in the glass and damaged the neon sign.
The tantrum caused $7,000 worth of damage.
Police arrested him near the scene, charging him with criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.
Gomez is straight, and is expecting a child with his girlfriend. He has been arrested multiple times in the past.
Ruled ‘not a hate crime’
His mother claimed a bouncer ‘harassed’ him.
‘At one point he was punched in the face,’ she claimed, according to New York Daily News. ‘He’s a quiet boy. He doesn’t get into trouble.’
Authorities determined he will not face hate crime charges as they believe his outburst was not motivated by homophobia.
Fortunately, both the window and sign were quickly repaired. When the bar reopened on Saturday at 2pm, the window and sign were already fixed.
History of the Stonewall Inn
The Stonewall Inn was landmarked by the city in 2015 for its role as the birthplace of the modern LGBTI rights movement. In 2016, President Barack Obama declared the Stonewall Inn a national monument.
‘Stonewall will be our first national monument to tell the story of the struggle for LGBT rights,’ he said, in celebrating the venue.
‘I believe our national parks should reflect the full story of our country, the richness and diversity and uniquely American spirit that has always defined us.
‘That we are stronger together. That out of many, we are one.’
