Courage to Stand Up:

Curriculum Tool: The Stonewall Riots and Martin Boyce

Unit Overview:

This unit will explore the Stonewall Riots as a pivotal moment in LGBTQIA+ history, focusing on firsthand accounts like those of Martin Boyce, a survivor and activist. Students will learn about the social and political contexts surrounding the riots, how they sparked change in LGBTQIA+ rights in North America, and the importance of oral history in preserving these movements. This tool emphasizes historical empathy, critical thinking, and engagement with current LGBTQIA+ issues.

Video:


Learning Objectives:

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the historical significance of the Stonewall Riots and their impact on the LGBTQIA+ rights movement in the U.S. and Canada.

  2. Analyze the role of activists, including Martin Boyce, in shaping the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.

  3. Evaluate the long-term effects of the Stonewall Riots on subsequent movements for social justice and equality.

  4. Reflect on the importance of oral history in keeping social movements alive, using Martin Boyce's personal accounts as a case study.

  5. Discuss modern LGBTQIA+ rights issues in Canada and the U.S., linking them to the legacy of the Stonewall Riots.

Lesson Breakdown:

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Stonewall Riots

  • Objective: Introduce students to the social, cultural, and legal context of the 1960s and the events leading up to the Stonewall Riots.

  • Activities:

    • Discussion: Begin with a discussion on what students already know about LGBTQIA+ history. Clarify terms such as "gay liberation," "transgender," and "queer."

    • Short Documentary: Watch a 10-minute introductory video on the Stonewall Riots (e.g., from PBS or History Channel).

    • Reading: Provide an excerpt from a textbook or article summarizing the events of the riots.

    • Group Activity: Students work in groups to create a timeline of key events leading to and following the riots.

  • Key Questions:

    • What were some challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals during the 1960s?

    • Why were the Stonewall Riots considered a watershed moment?

Lesson 2: Martin Boyce – A Survivor's Perspective

  • Objective: Explore the personal narrative of Martin Boyce, focusing on his role during the Stonewall Riots and his activism in the years that followed.

  • Activities:

    • Biography Reading: Provide students with a short biography of Martin Boyce, focusing on his role in the Stonewall Riots and his activism.

    • Primary Source Analysis: Listen to or read excerpts of interviews with Martin Boyce about his experience during the riots and his reflections on their importance.

    • Creative Assignment: Have students write a letter as though they were participants in the Stonewall Riots, addressing future generations about the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.

  • Key Questions:

    • What motivated Martin Boyce and others to resist the police during the raid?

    • How does hearing personal accounts like Boyce's change your understanding of history?

Lesson 3: The Impact of the Stonewall Riots

  • Objective: Understand the immediate and long-term effects of the Stonewall Riots on LGBTQIA+ rights movements in the U.S. and Canada.

  • Activities:

    • Mapping the Movement: Research key LGBTQIA+ rights organizations that formed after Stonewall, such as the Gay Liberation Front, and map their influence across North America.

    • Class Discussion: Discuss the significance of Stonewall in both U.S. and Canadian contexts, examining legal advancements and public perceptions of the LGBTQIA+ community before and after the riots.

    • Presentation: Students present research on how different countries responded to the Stonewall Riots and their global influence.

  • Key Questions:

    • What major LGBTQIA+ rights organizations emerged after Stonewall?

    • How did the riots impact LGBTQIA+ activism in Canada and the U.S.?

Lesson 4: Martin Boyce’s Canadian Tour

  • Objective: Examine Martin Boyce’s role in continuing the legacy of Stonewall through his tour across Canada in 2022–2023, raising awareness about the history of LGBTQIA+ rights.

  • Activities:

    • Virtual Tour Reflection: Watch video footage or read articles about Martin Boyce’s tour, reflecting on his interaction with over 85,000 Canadians.

    • Class Discussion: How did Boyce's storytelling resonate with different communities across Canada? Discuss the importance of sharing these stories today.

    • Role-Play Activity: Divide the class into small groups, each representing a different Canadian community visited by Boyce. Have them role-play a Q&A session with him, asking questions about the Stonewall Riots and modern LGBTQIA+ activism.

  • Key Questions:

    • How can storytelling create change?

    • Why was it important for Boyce to tour Canada and share these stories?

Lesson 5: Connecting the Past and Present

  • Objective: Connect the Stonewall Riots to modern LGBTQIA+ issues, such as transgender rights, marriage equality, and anti-discrimination laws.

  • Activities:

    • Case Studies: Examine recent events in LGBTQIA+ rights movements, comparing them to the Stonewall Riots. Focus on trans rights activism and the fight against discrimination.

    • Debate: Host a class debate on a current issue related to LGBTQIA+ rights (e.g., access to gender-affirming healthcare, representation in media, or anti-trans legislation).

    • Reflection Essay: Students write a reflective essay on how the legacy of Stonewall influences modern LGBTQIA+ activism.

  • Key Questions:

    • How do modern LGBTQIA+ rights movements reflect the legacy of Stonewall?

    • In what ways is the fight for equality still ongoing?

Assessment:

  1. Formative Assessments:

    • Group work on timelines and presentations.

    • Participation in class discussions and role-play activities.

  2. Summative Assessments:

    • Creative Writing Assignment (Lesson 2): Write a letter as a participant of the Stonewall Riots.

    • Reflection Essay (Lesson 5): Reflect on the connection between the Stonewall Riots and modern LGBTQIA+ issues.

    • Research Presentation (Lesson 3): Present research on post-Stonewall LGBTQIA+ movements.

Resources and Materials:

  • Videos/Documentaries:

    • PBS Documentary on the Stonewall Riots.

    • Interviews with Martin Boyce (available on YouTube or LGBTQIA+ history websites).

  • Primary Sources:

    • Martin Boyce’s personal accounts (written or oral).

    • Articles and primary documents from LGBTQIA+ archives.

  • Reading Materials:

    • Excerpts from "Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution" by David Carter.

    • Articles on LGBTQIA+ history in Canada and the U.S.

  • Online Resources:

    • The Stonewall Inn website and historical archive.

    • LGBTQIA+ rights organizations’ websites, such as GLAAD and Egale Canada.

Extension Activities:

  1. Field Trip/Virtual Tour: Organize a field trip to a local LGBTQIA+ museum or historical site, or offer a virtual tour of LGBTQIA+ archives.

  2. Guest Speaker: If possible, invite an LGBTQIA+ rights activist or historian to discuss their experiences and knowledge.

  3. Art Project: Have students create art inspired by the Stonewall Riots or modern LGBTQIA+ movements.

This curriculum tool provides a comprehensive and interactive approach to understanding the Stonewall Riots, Martin Boyce's activism, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. Through a combination of historical analysis, personal narratives, and current issues, students will gain both knowledge and empathy.

 

This program is generously funded by the Embassy of the United States and donors like you.