New York City has long been a hub for the L.G.B.T.Q. community, but for years visitors coming to the city for Pride month found limited options to engage with the rich history of the community. However, that is all changing with the opening of a new visitors’ center in Manhattan that aims to educate and inspire.
Located next to the iconic Stonewall Inn, the center offers a glimpse into the history of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising that sparked the gay liberation movement. With exhibits curated by the National Park Service rangers, visitors of all ages can learn about the struggles and triumphs of the L.G.B.T.Q. community in New York City.
But the new visitors’ center is just the beginning. Across the other boroughs of New York City, there are more sites that offer a glimpse into the city’s queer history. From the Alice Austen House on Staten Island, where the groundbreaking photographer lived with her partner, to Jacob Riis Park in Queens, a popular spot for queer New Yorkers to gather and celebrate, there are plenty of places to explore and learn about the city’s vibrant L.G.B.T.Q. community.
In Brooklyn, Marsha P. Johnson State Park honors the legacy of the iconic activist and transgender icon, while in the Bronx, Woodlawn Cemetery is the final resting place of prominent figures in L.G.B.T.Q. history, such as poet Countee Cullen and suffragists Carrie Chapman Catt and Mary Garrett Hay.
With these new sites and initiatives, New York City is not only celebrating its L.G.B.T.Q. history but also paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse future. So whether you’re a local or a visitor, be sure to check out these sites and learn more about the vibrant history of the L.G.B.T.Q. community in the city that never sleeps.
