2026 Marks the 10th Anniversary of the Stonewall National Monument and the 20th Anniversary of The Stonewall Inn’s Preservation

New York, NY (May 26, 2026) - Today, The Stonewall Inn and The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI), the official and only charitable arm of the National Historic Landmark, announced a full lineup of 2026 Pride Month events beginning Sunday, May 31, to uplift the LGBTQ+ community and combat ongoing social intolerance.

June 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the designation of Stonewall National Monument, the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and history. The bar worked closely with the Obama administration to permanently commemorate the site of the Stonewall Uprising. This year is also the 20th anniversary of the preservation of The Stonewall Inn bar by partners Stacy Lentz, Kurt Kelly, Bill Morgan, and Tony DiCicco, ensuring that the public can experience its history firsthand.

In recognition of these milestones in championing LGBTQ+ history, SIGBI will host its annual, invite-only Pride Kick-off Event at The Stonewall Inn on Monday, June 1. The evening will feature performances by pop singer-songwriter Avery Cochrane, Broadway’s Bradley Gibson, and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Yuhua Hamasaki. Yanery Cruz, Executive Director of the New York City Council's LGBTQIA+ Caucus, is also set to speak. The event will benefit SIGBI’s support of grassroots organizations serving LGBTQ+ communities across the U.S. and abroad.

Throughout the month, The Stonewall Inn will host the Hetrick-Martin Institute and Harvey Milk High School Pride Prom, convene LGBTQ+ activists and advocates connected to the United Nations, and feature daily programming throughout Pride Month in partnership with LGBTQ+ organizations and nonprofit groups from New York City and beyond.

The work of protecting and amplifying The Stonewall Inn’s legacy has taken on renewed urgency. Rooted in the bar’s heritage of resistance, these Pride Month programs continue to mobilize support, educate the public, and invest in grassroots organizations working on the front lines of equality.

“The challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community are escalating in real time across legislation, public institutions, and the daily lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people,” said Stacy Lentz, CEO of SIGBI and Co-owner of The Stonewall Inn. “SIGBI’s 2026 Pride programming is a direct response to this moment, centering those doing critical work in communities across the country and helping expand the visibility, support, and resources they need to continue that work.”

“LGBTQ+ history is being undermined and erased, and the stakes for its preservation continue to grow,” said Kurt Kelly, Co-owner of The Stonewall Inn. “This year marks 20 years since we bought The Stonewall Inn and 10 years since its designation as part of the Stonewall National Monument, milestones that reinforce the bar’s role as a historic landmark and a living symbol of resistance. This Pride, we invite the community to step inside the bar and join in honoring those who built this movement and continue to carry it forward. We remain dedicated to ensuring LGBTQ+ history is never erased.”

Highlights of The Stonewall Inn and SIGBI’s Pride Month Events Include:

  • Miss Stonewall Pageant (May 31 at The Stonewall Inn) - The Miss Stonewall Pageant, which began in 2004, returns and features extraordinary NYC Drag Queens who put on their greatest show in effort to win the Miss Stonewall 2026 crown. The 2026 pageant is hosted by Miss Fire Island Ariel Sinclair and Miss Stonewall ‘18 Hibiscus, with Miss Stonewall ‘25 Alicia Love. Special guest performances to be announced. *Open to the public.
  • SIGBI’s Pride Kick-off Event (June 1 at The Stonewall Inn) - SIGBI’s annual Pride kick-off celebration features performances by pop singer-songwriter Avery Cochrane, Broadway’s Bradley Gibson, and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Yuhua Hamasaki. Yanery Cruz, Executive Director of the New York City Council's LGBTQIA+ Caucus, is set to speak. The event will benefit SIGBI. *Invite-only event.
  • Hetrick-Martin Institute and Harvey Milk High School Pride Prom (June 3 at The Stonewall Inn) - Harvey Milk High School, a Manhattan high school designed to provide LGBTQ+ students with a safe space to learn and grow, hosts its annual prom. The bar offers a safe and welcoming environment for students to celebrate. *Private event. Alcohol-free.
  • The Stonewall Inn Piano Bar Pop-Up (June 12 at Senate Garage in Kingston, NY) - Woodstock NY Pride is honoring the legacy of The Stonewall Inn, brought to life through high-glam piano bar music, community, and celebration. Featuring live performances by Ms. Stonewall 2026, and NYC’s star performers Lyra Vega, Lola, Lavinia, and special guests. The evening benefits SIGBI. *Open to the public.
  • New York Yankees Stonewall Scholars Event (June 17 at Yankee Stadium) - SIGBI is partnering with the New York Yankees for the eighth-annual Yankees-Stonewall Scholars event. $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to five NYC public school students who have continuously demonstrated strong academic achievement and impactful support for the LGBTQ+ community. *Open to the public.
  • Ilegal Mezcal’s Celebrating YOU Campaign x The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative Fundraiser (June 17 at Ilegal’s Brooklyn Showroom) - Fundraising event benefiting SIGBI featuring music by recording artist, songwriter, and actor Kat Cunning and tattoo activations. *Open to the public
  • 2026 Wall of Honor Ceremony (June 25 at The Stonewall Inn) – The National LGBTQ Task Force and the International Imperial Court System come together to unveil the 2026 Wall of Honor, a tribute to LGBTQ+ trailblazers who have passed on and have made significant contributions to LGBTQ+ politics, art, culture and more. This year’s honorees are Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Luisa Rivera, Soraya Santiago Solla, Barbara Gittings, Rick Garcia, Loraine Hutchins, and Chuck Renslow. *Open to the public.
  • NYC Pride Weekend (June 26-28 at The Stonewall Inn) - The Stonewall Inn will be open on Pride weekend from 2pm - 4am. The historic landmark is a must-see stop on the NYC Pride Parade route. *Open to the public.
  • Ilegal Mezcal’s Celebrating YOU Campaign x The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative Fundraiser (June 30 at Ilegal’s Brooklyn Showroom) - Fundraising event benefiting SIGBI featuring music by punk and indie rock band Mannequin Pussy and tattoo activations. *Open to the public.

The Stonewall Inn is located in the heart of New York City's Historic Greenwich Village at 53 Christopher St. Please visit thestonewallinnnyc.com and stonewallinitiative.org for more information about the Pride month events and what you can do to make a difference. 

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About The Stonewall Inn 
Since the 1969 riot that bears its name, The Stonewall Inn has become a living symbol of LGBTQ+ rights, and a beacon of hope to the LGBTQ+ community around the world. For its historic role in galvanizing the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, The Stonewall Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark, and designated a New York City Landmark, a New York State Historic Site, and is the defining component of the Stonewall National Monument. 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the designation of the Stonewall National Monument, and 20 years since the bar was saved from closure by partners Stacy Lentz, Kurt Kelly, Bill Morgan, and Tony DiCicco. Find out more about The Stonewall Inn here: thestonewallinnnyc.com| Instagram | Twitter

About The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI)
The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI), the official and only non-profit organization of The Stonewall Inn, is inspired by the struggles and ideals of the LGBTQ+ rights movement born from the Stonewall Inn Uprising of 1969. Our overarching mission remains unwavering: to persist in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and complete global equality. Through SIGBI's Safe Spaces certification program, we’ve collaborated with brands, venues, and businesses worldwide all sharing the common goal of fostering welcoming and inclusive spaces that prioritize the safety and support of the LGBTQ+ community.
SIGBI supports grassroots organizations committed to advocacy and provides crucial support to LGBTQ+ communities and individuals through awareness campaigns, educational programming, fundraising, and candid public dialogue. Our commitment funds organizations providing gender-affirming care and mental health support across the U.S., supporting the first LGBTQ+ organization in Iraq, and establishing LGBTQ+ homeless youth shelters in Italy. We are committed to eliminating the social intolerance that is profoundly impacting the lives of LGBTQ+ citizens throughout America and abroad. Find out more about SIGBI’s work here: stonewallinitiative.org |Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Press Contacts

If you are interested in attending and/or covering any of these events or speaking with a representative from The Stonewall Inn or SIGBI, please contact: gabrielle.flamand@civic-us.com & kaitlyn.repman@civic-us.com.