The relationship between the Lynn police and LGBTQ+ people has been complex and multifaceted. Historically, LGBTQ+ individuals have faced discrimination, harassment, and violence at the hands of law enforcement agencies. Police raids on gay bars and clubs, such as the Stonewall Inn raid in 1969, often targeted LGBTQ+ establishments and communities, leading to widespread mistrust and tension between LGBTQ+ people and the police. The raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York City's Greenwich Village, sparked riots which are often credited with launching the gay liberation movement. In Lynn the experience was mixed. Some gay and lesbian owners and patrons had amicable relations with police officers, whereas others experienced surveillance, harassment, and violence.