AUSTIN, Texas — More than 100 people at the south steps of the Texas Capitol came to honor the 49th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City.

“I’m also here to pay respect to the people who really sacrificed a lot by putting themselves out there to fight for the most basic dignity,” Natasha Harper-Madison, an Austin resident, said.

In 1969, LGBTQ Americans took to the streets of New York demanding respect. Those riots, ignited by black and trans Americans, were the first steps on a long road to equality, and 49 years later the journey isn’t over.

“It’s all the more important to get out and remember that everything that we’ve achieved in terms of the progress we’ve made for the LGBTQ community,” said Daniel Segura-Kelly with Texas Stonewall Democrats. “The trans community is not where they need to be in terms of protection, so we need to do a better job at standing up for the T in our community. The T is very important in LGBT.”

For many, the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots is a chance to honor history and bravery.

“It’s so important for us to remember our history,” Segura-Kelly said. “[It’s] what’s brought us here today.”