I was passing by Christopher Park, the world’s most historical and founding site for LGBTQ+ activism. Christopher Park, also known as the Stonewall National Monument, is located right across the Stonewall Inn Bar on Christopher Street. LGBTQ+ people and allies from around the country and world get to visit Christopher Park in order to explore diverse Pride Flags, observe a flag which aligns with their identity, explore the history of the 1969 Stonewall Riot at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, and attend drag shows at the Stonewall Inn Bar.

While Stonewall is a symbol for activism and societal reform in order to affirm the human rights of LGBTQ+ people, the majority of people around the area are assimilated to Western traditions. When I was exploring Stonewall, I as an outsider of the Western society could observe the majority of LGBTQ+ people and allies being assimilated to Western traditions such as their conversational styles and pacing, adherence to Western social etiquette, the clothes they wear, the foods they eat, and the activities they do. Since activism at Stonewall has been historically led by White people, the area around Stonewall is more likely to have people of diverse cultures who are already assimilated to Western traditions, especially those who are White and have higher socioeconomic status. Many of the areas surrounding Stonewall sells pricy goods, pricy meals, and that stores are led by people with a certain socioeconomic advantage.

There are countries, particularly the majority of non-Western countries, that still criminalize LGBTQ+ identities and expressions. LGBTQ+ refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals who do not assimilate with Western culture are more likely to be culturally misunderstood. LGBTQ+ individuals who live with conservative non-Western families, particularly those who experience homelessness due to not being accepted by their family, are more likely to be sidelined by the community. Goods, meals, and store leadership may be affirming to the LGBTQ+ community within the Stonewall area, but it does not affirm all LGBTQ+ people, especially those who are of diverse cultural backgrounds or have different cultural experiences while identifying as LGBTQ+. LGBTQ+ people of certain national origins, particularly non-Western national origins, get quietly ostracized by the broader LGBTQ+ community due to them wanting to protect themselves and their community from people they so-called perceive as a threat.

While Stonewall is an affirming space for LGBTQ+ people, there is more work to be done. Although LGBTQ+ people of diverse racial groups are empowered, it is crucial that LGBTQ+ people who are not assimilated to Western traditions have access to community-based representation. Instead of influencing non-Western first-generation LGBTQ+ immigrants to conform to Western traditions of LGBTQ+ representation, the broader LGBTQ+ community should allow them to explore who they are in their own culture and represent them for who they are. In order for an affirming area like Stonewall to be socioeconomically friendly to all LGBTQ+ people, prices must either decrease or that there must be more free giveaways at stores in order to accommodate those in need of socioeconomic support.