At one point in time, it was illegal in the United States for gay men to perform live music, order an alcoholic beverage, eat in a restaurant, or be outside after sunset. These basic rights were secured or on their way to being secured prior to the Stonewall uprising.
Gay liberation did not begin at Stonewall. Assuming that it did spits on the graves of countless millions who were oppressed prior to the 1970s gay liberation movement. Queer people would do well to keep that in mind.