Stonewall

Matty Dean, a young gay man, arrives in New York City and heads for Greenwich Village, hoping to find a community. He quickly falls in with La Miranda, a crossdressing sex worker, and their circle of friends, who take him to the Stonewall Inn and into a tight-knit social world. The new environment promises belonging but also exposes him to the risks and prejudice faced by queer people in the era.

The group goes to the Stonewall Inn where police raid the venue and Matty and La Miranda are arrested. They are bailed out by Bostonia, the African-American 'mother' of the Stonewall queens and the secret lover of Vinnie, who runs the bar. The raid crystallizes the precariousness of their lives and marks the beginning of Matty's deeper involvement with Stonewall's world.

La Miranda receives her draft notice, triggering a plan to avoid military service by exploiting medical exams. Matty dons her clothes and meets with the induction doctor at La Miranda's place, securing a rejection for her by presenting the diagnosis of 'sexual deviance.' On the subway ride home, La Miranda confides that she has never had a hero before and asks if Matty loves her; he answers that it is his turn to be scared.

At a Mattachine Society meeting, Matty meets Burt and Ethan, and the group discusses planning a picket at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to advocate for LGBTQ rights. The conversation signals a shift toward organized activism and a willingness to challenge social norms. The momentum sets the stage for future protests.

At a gathering, a young man named José undergoes initiation and adopts the persona Camelia, signaling the fluidity and performative aspects of gender in their world. After the ceremony they return to La Miranda's place and have sex. The moment highlights the community's exploration of gender and presentation.

At a Mattachine meeting, a guest speaker—a psychiatrist—delivers a lecture on the disease model of homosexuality, which disgusts Matty and leads him to walk out in protest. The moment underscores the tension between gay activism and medical authority. The group remains determined to push for social change despite institutional doubt.

The group stages a 'sip-in' to protest discriminatory alcohol service laws, ordering drinks until a refusal draws public attention and solidarity among the participants. They are refused service at several venues, building confidence that the path to equality runs through direct action. Their plan culminates with a bold move toward the Stonewall Inn.

After the conflicts at the Mattachine events and the sip-in, Matty begins an affair with Ethan, a writer who contributes to a homophile magazine, complicating his relationships and loyalties. The affair adds personal tension as he negotiates his desire, circle, and commitments to La Miranda. This love triangle amplifies the emotional stakes of their community's struggle.

Following the Philadelphia picket, Ethan takes Matty to Fire Island for a respite from the mounting conflict. Given a choice between Ethan's acceptance of persecution and La Miranda's defiant stance, Matty chooses La Miranda and the two reconcile. The moment cements his loyalty to the person who embodies his resistance to oppression.

It is the day of Judy Garland's death. Bostonia watches the television coverage and, to lift her spirits, Vinnie takes her out in full drag in public for the first time. They share ice cream at a fancy restaurant, facing disapproval and being asked to leave by the manager. The next morning, Vinnie asks if he's ever told Bostonia that he loves her, revealing the fragility of their bond.

That night, after waking up together, Vinnie commits suicide with a pistol shot, leaving Bostonia stunned and hysterical. He leaves behind a large amount of cash and scrawls 'I LOVE YOU' on a lipstick-marked mirror, a haunting final message. The tragedy adds a layer of personal loss to the ongoing struggle for dignity and safety.

That night at Stonewall there is another raid, and several queens are arrested, including Bostonia. She resists and fights back, smashing a police officer and drawing more cops’ attention. The riot erupts, becoming a catalytic moment in the gay rights movement and the launch of militant advocacy for LGBTQ rights.