Stonewall

Stonewall

Year: 1995

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

Director: Nigel Finch

HistoryDramaRomanceComedy

The fight for the right to love A group of gay friends try to live with dignity and self-respect while events build to the opening battle in the major gay rights movement.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Stonewall (1995)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Stonewall (1995). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1969

The events unfold in the late 1960s, culminating in 1969 with the Stonewall uprising that sparked a new era for queer rights. The era is marked by discriminatory laws, clandestine bars, and early organizing by groups like the Mattachine Society. The date anchors the film to a pivotal moment when activism and culture intersect.

Location

New York City, Greenwich Village, Stonewall Inn, Independence Hall (Philadelphia), Fire Island

Matty arrives in New York City and heads for Greenwich Village, a bohemian enclave known for its diverse communities. The Stonewall Inn serves as a focal point of bar culture and a flashpoint during a police raid. The narrative also follows a political picket at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and a respite on Fire Island.

🗽 Urban setting 🌈 LGBTQ+ history ✊ Civil rights 🎭 Subculture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:12

Main Characters – Stonewall (1995)

Meet the key characters of Stonewall (1995), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Matty Dean (Frederick Weller)

Matty Dean is a young gay man who arrives in New York City seeking belonging. He navigates a world of crossdressing friends, secret meetings, and shifting loyalties, ultimately choosing love with La Miranda while pursuing his own voice. His arc shows a hunger for authentic connection and a willingness to take risks for it.

🌈 LGBTQ+ protagonist ❤️ Self-discovery 🎭 Identity & relationships

La Miranda (Guillermo Díaz)

La Miranda is a crossdressing sex worker who becomes a central figure in Matty's world, introducing him to the Stonewall scene. She embodies defiance of gender norms and a fear of medical control, which leads to moments of vulnerability. Her relationship with Matty tests loyalty and forces both to confront expectations within the community.

🌈 Crossdressing identity ❤️ Defiance 🎭 Gender expression

Vinnie (Luis Guzmán)

Vinnie is the powerful, deeply closeted operator who runs Stonewall and exerts control over its circle. He presents a seductive but fragile dual life, maintaining a public persona while cherishing Bostonia. His sudden suicide after a private moment with Bostonia reveals the cost of concealed desire and the pressures of power.

💔 Forbidden love 🔒 Power & secrecy

Bostonia (Duane Boutte)

Bostonia is the matriarchal figure in Stonewall's world, a source of strength and community for the queens. She navigates an unsteady romantic relationship with Vinnie and embodies resilience amid discrimination. Her presence anchors the community's sense of family even as tragedy strikes.

❤️ Family & loyalty 🗽 Community pillar 💔 Loss & resilience

Ethan (Brendan Corbalis)

Ethan is a writer who joins the Mattachine circle and becomes Matty's lover. He represents the romantic, artistic side of the movement, pairing intellectual commentary with personal desire. His relationship with Matty challenges both to balance companionship with political activism.

🌈 LGBTQ+ ally 🎭 Creative identity

Burt (Peter Ratray)

Burt is a Mattachine Society member who participates in planning and debates with Matty. He embodies the activist mindset of the group and the internal tensions of negotiating identity and policy.

🕊️ Activist ally 🎭 Community organizer

José / Camelia (Vince Cupone)

José, a young man, becomes the persona Camelia during an initiation. The rite highlights the fluidity of gender presentation within the community and the ritualized aspects of belonging.

🌈 Gender fluidity 🌟 Initiation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:12

Major Themes – Stonewall (1995)

Explore the central themes of Stonewall (1995), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

✊ Rights Movement

The film portrays the birth of collective action among gay men and transgender people as they challenge discriminatory laws and police harassment. The Mattachine Society meetings, sip-in protests, and the Philadelphia picket illustrate how communities cohere into political force. The Stonewall raid becomes a catalyst for a new, louder advocacy that demands visibility and rights.

💖 Love & Identity

Matty's relationships—his bond with La Miranda and his affair with Ethan—explore how love, desire, and gender expression collide with social expectations. The characters navigate loyalty, jealousy, and the need to belong without conforming to heteronormative norms. The story uses intimacy to reveal resilience and self-definition within the stigmatized subculture.

🔥 Resistance & Rebellion

Discrimination and police brutality push queer communities toward resistance. The raid on Stonewall and the ensuing riot mark a shift from quiet endurance to militant advocacy. The film treats protest as a collective act that reframes personal risk as political necessity.

💔 Tragedy & Loss

Personal relationships carry the weight of sacrifice and tragedy, culminating in Vinnie's suicide after a private moment of love and fear. The event underscores the fragility of lives shaped by stigma and economic pressure within a clandestine world. The aftermath of loss strengthens resolve within the Stonewall community.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:12

Unlock the Full Story of Stonewall

Don't stop at just watching — explore Stonewall in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Stonewall is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Stonewall Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Stonewall, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Stonewall Summary

Stonewall Timeline

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Stonewall Timeline

Stonewall Spoiler-Free Summary

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Stonewall Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Stonewall

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Stonewall (1995) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Stonewall (1995) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

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