The 1960s saw immense social and political change in the United States, including the beginning of the gay rights movement which gained momentum following the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. These riots marked the start of a larger fight for equal rights and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Before the 1960s, homosexuality was seen as deviant behavior and many states had laws criminalizing homosexual acts. The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement and inspired future activism.