Rioter Reflects on Stonewall 40 Years Later

As New York City gears up for the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, one of the original protesters admits he never thought "it would turn out to be much of anything," the AP reports. Raymond Castro, now living with his partner of 30 years, says the crowd on June 28, 1969, inspired him to resist arrest outside the Stonewall Inn—a fate patrons normally accepted. "Or maybe at that point enough was enough."

Newly released police reports confirm that a woman, Marilyn Fowler, was a main instigator of the riot that galvanized the gay rights movement in America. Castro isn't a bit surprised. "It wasn't just gays," he says. Now living outside of St. Petersburg, Fla., Castro is encouraged by gay rights, but saddened by a recent state ban on same-sex marriage. "I hope that I see it in Florida some day." (More Stonewall Rebellion stories.)