Stonewall Inn Honors Men Who Saved Bar During COVID Pandemic

WEST VILLAGE, NY — Philanthropists who helped save the iconic Stonewall Inn from closing during the height of the pandemic and who have given more than $500 million to advance LGBTQ rights since 1994 were honored on Friday at the West Village bar.

NYC's LGBT Community Center honored Tim Gill and Scott Miller on Friday with its inaugural Ed Windsor Trailblazer Award in "recognition of their contributions toward LGBTQ equality."

Gill and Miller accepted the award at a ceremony at Stonewall Inn. In 2020, the Gill Foundation pledged $250,000 to protect the Stonewall Inn from financial difficulties.

“When we needed them most, Tim and Scott were there,” said Stacy Lentz, Stonewall Inn co-owner and CEO of the Stonewall Gives Back Initiative. “Because of their generosity, and the generosity of others who followed their lead, the Stonewall Inn’s doors remain open today – a place where LGBTQ people and allies from all over the world come to gather and support equality. We are so grateful for their generosity and ongoing support.”

In addition to its $250,000 pledge to protect the legacy of Stonewall, the Gill Foundation also committed an additional $50,000 to support the Stonewall Day fundraiser.

In 2021, the Gill Foundation also stepped up to help the West Village's Julius' Bar, the oldest LGBTQ+ bar in New York City.

The West Village watering hole at 159 West 10th Street has been open since 1840, first as a grocery store and then in 1864 as a bar.

The Gill Foundation announced it would match contributions up to $25,000 to the historic Julius' bar. The announcement came on the heels of a $20,000 donation from the Gill Foundation to the West Village bar in 2020.

“We are grateful to The Center and the Stonewall Inn for this extraordinary recognition,” said Gill and Miller. “More importantly, we are proud to stand beside them in the work to achieve LGBTQ equality.”