The Stoli “Spirit of Stonewall” limited-edition bottle honors the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a seminal moment in the modern LGBTQ rights movement.
The limited edition will help raise funds for the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative in support of its mission to eliminate the social intolerances that profoundly impact the lives of LGBTQ citizens in America and abroad, through awareness campaigns, educational programming, fundraising and public dialogue.
The bottle was designed by Lisa Marie Thalhammer, an award-winning visual artist and member of the LGBTQ community, who is best known for her iconic 13-color rainbow “LOVE” mural located on Blagden Alley in Washington, D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood. For the Spirit of Stonewall bottle, Thalhammer used a mural theme and incorporated emblematic LGBTQ imagery, including five hands and three protest signs at the corner of Gay and Christopher Streets outside of the Stonewall Inn, a high heel to represent the transgender activists who initiated the 1969 uprising, a sign spelling out “LIBERATION” as a reference to the Gay Liberation Front that includes three gender symbols, as well as a peace sign and protest fist holding a rainbow energy ribbon that swirls between fingers and brings the community together.
“Pride is all about sticking up for something you believe in – just as the brave patrons of the Stonewall Inn did 50 years ago – that all good people deserve to love freely and stand proudly in the bright spotlight of the beauty of their diversity without the expectation that one needs to hide in the shadows, or in the closet,” said Stoli LGBTQ National Brand Manager and Ambassador, Patrik Gallineaux. “Stoli celebrates the legacy of our gay bars, such as Stonewall, as the original community centers and safe spaces. It is a privilege to utilize our bottle as a platform for purposeful visibility and education via our second LGBTQ tribute bottle, the Stoli ‘Spirit of Stonewall’ limited edition.”