In 2006, Stacy Lentz became the co-owner of perhaps the most well-recognized symbol of American LGBTQ+ history: The Stonewall Inn. Since then, she’s embodied Stonewall’s legacy of activism, progress, and community support through the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, a non-profit that continues the fight for equality by creating certified Safe Spaces.
The Stonewall Inn is one of the most recognizable markers in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. What is it like being the co-owner of such an important part of history? How does that responsibility impact you day to day?
Being connected to The Stonewall Inn is both an honor and a profound responsibility. Stonewall isn’t just a place; it represents a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality and the courage of people who stood up at a time when doing so carried real risk. I often think about the individuals in 1969 who simply wanted dignity and freedom, and how their bravery ignited a movement that continues to shape the world today.
For me, the role has always felt less about ownership and more about stewardship. It’s about helping protect a living piece of history while ensuring its legacy continues to inspire progress. That responsibility shows up in the work I do to amplify LGBTQ+ voices, support communities around the world, and remind people that the spirit of Stonewall was never just about one night—it was about a demand to be seen, respected, and free, a fight that is still unfolding today.
In 2017, you launched the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI) to offer a Safe Space Certification. This allows businesses to demonstrate their commitment to equality by eliminating the social intolerance that impacts LGBTQ+ individuals. Why did that feel important to create, and what is your vision for the future of SIGBI? Kirrin Finch is a proud SIGBI safe space!
Launching the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI) in 2017 came from a simple realization: while Stonewall represents a powerful moment in history, the fight for equality didn’t end in 1969. Around the world and even here in the United States, many LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination, isolation, and a lack of truly safe and affirming spaces.
We created SIGBI to help carry Stonewall's legacy forward in a tangible way. The Safe Spaces Certification gives businesses and organizations a way to actively demonstrate their commitment to inclusion, education, and respect, not just during Pride month, but year-round. Seeing companies like Kirrin Finch step forward as proud Safe Spaces partners is exactly the kind of leadership we hope to inspire.
Looking ahead, my vision for SIGBI is to continue expanding globally, supporting grassroots organizations, helping businesses become more inclusive, and ensuring that the spirit of Stonewall continues to translate into real protections and opportunities for LGBTQ+ people everywhere.
You grew up in Kansas, “in the middle of a cornfield.” What drew you to New York City initially, and what keeps you here today?
Growing up in Kansas gave me resilience, but it also wasn’t always easy being LGBTQ+. In many ways, I grew up feeling different and searching for a place where I could be myself fully. Like many people from smaller towns, I always sensed there was a bigger world out there where diversity and individuality were celebrated.
New York represented that possibility. What drew me here was the city's incredible diversity—the feeling that people from every background, identity, and culture could live side by side and express themselves freely. That openness was powerful for someone coming from a place where it often felt like you had to hide parts of who you were.
What keeps me here today is that same energy. New York continues to be a place where culture, activism, and creativity intersect, and where movements are born that ripple far beyond the city. Being here has not only allowed me to find my own voice but also to amplify others in the ongoing fight for equality.
It’s no secret that fashion and politics often go hand in hand. How does individual style help further the fight for LGBTQ+ rights?
Fashion and personal style have long been powerful forms of expression within the LGBTQ+ community. Before many of us had political power or mainstream visibility, style was one of the ways people asserted their identity and refused to be invisible. It allowed people to challenge expectations around gender, identity, and self-expression simply by showing up as themselves.
When someone feels empowered to express who they are authentically, it sends a message that individuality should be celebrated rather than hidden. In that way, fashion becomes more than aesthetics—it becomes part of a broader cultural shift toward visibility, acceptance, and equality.
How have you leveraged Stonewall to build a network of support for the community?
Stonewall carries an extraordinary global meaning, and I’ve always believed that its legacy should be used to bring people together and strengthen the community. Through the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, partnerships with organizations and brands, and events that amplify LGBTQ+ voices, we’ve worked to turn that historic symbol into meaningful support for people today.
The goal has always been to connect the legacy of Stonewall with the ongoing needs of the community, whether that’s supporting grassroots organizations, creating safer spaces, or building stronger networks of allies around the world. In many ways, Stonewall reminds us that when community, courage, and visibility come together, real progress can follow.
Authentic queer expression can take many forms for individuals. What are some of the ways you see the queer community gaining strength through expression?
Authentic queer expression has always been one of the greatest sources of strength in our community. Even the uprising at Stonewall was, in many ways, an act of people refusing to hide who they were any longer. Throughout history, visibility—whether through art, fashion, storytelling, activism, or simply living openly has helped push society forward.
What inspires me today is how many different ways people are expressing themselves and claiming space. From creative work and grassroots organizing to social media and everyday acts of authenticity, each expression helps expand how the world understands LGBTQ+ lives.
Every time someone shows up as their true self, it creates permission for others to do the same. Over time, those individual acts of courage build a collective strength that continues to move our community and the broader fight for equality forward.