Pride 2024: 6 iconic LGBTIQ+ sites to explore in the US
June’s Pride month provides a fantastic chance to reflect on the proud yet often challenging history of the LGBTIQ+ community. But where should you begin?
While many are familiar with significant locations like New York City’s Stonewall Inn, numerous other sites across the nation have also played vital roles in this important narrative.
For unique perspectives on key figures, events, and venues in the queer liberation movement, be sure to visit these six impactful sites that shaped LGBTIQ+ life in the USA and beyond.
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The bar at Julius’, circa 1990. Not much has changed since then © David Lefranc / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images1. Julius’, New York City
Grab a burger and a beer while soaking in the rich LGBTIQ+ history. This iconic bar in the West Village has been serving patrons since 1864. By the 1960s, it became a haven for gay men who had to remain discreet, as any signs of “disorderly” behavior could threaten the bar’s license. On April 21, 1966, a courageous group of activists from the Mattachine Society staged a “sip-in,” challenging the management and authorities to deny them their right to enjoy drinks with friends. The outcome? Business continued as usual, marking a gradual shift from the bar’s reputation as a den of vice to a beloved community hub.
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The Leather Archives and Museum, established in Chicago in 1991 © courtesy of the Leather Archives and Museum2. Leather Archives & Museum, Chicago
In 1991, Chuck Renslow, an openly gay entrepreneur renowned for his contributions to homoerotic photography in the mid-20th century, launched the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago to celebrate and preserve a vibrant aspect of queer culture.
Visitors can explore temporary exhibitions that delve into the origins and growth of the leather, kink, fetish, and BDSM communities within the queer world. The museum also houses the archives of Mineshaft, a legendary, members-only BDSM leather bar and sex club that attracted gay men to the then-rough streets of Manhattan’s Meatpacking District.
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For decades, The Center has served as a gathering place for activists and remains a vital part of New York’s LGBTIQ+ community © Tamara Fleming Photography / courtesy of The Center3. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, New York City
This beautiful former schoolhouse became a focal point for urgent activism during the AIDS crisis, where the community united to demand a governmental response to a disease that heavily impacted gay men. It was here that the activists of ACT UP officially collaborated, and The Center also gave rise to influential organizations like the Lesbian Avengers and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
It remains a beautifully kept community hub where anyone is welcome to drop by, whether for a coffee, a program for youth, career guidance, a 12-step meeting, or an art show. Be sure to check out the striking yet quite graphic mural by LGBTIQ+ icon Keith Haring, located in the second-floor restroom.
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4. Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, San Francisco
During the HIV/AIDS crisis, this San Francisco parish opened its doors to LGBTIQ+ individuals, providing weekly support groups and sermons in the 1980s that welcomed the community with compassion. Today, the church stands as a historical site and continues to be a favored place of worship for those seeking acceptance.
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Queer-friendly Jacob Riis Park has been a beloved destination for LGBTIQ+ beachgoers for many years © Landon Speers / WWD / Penske Media via Getty Images5. Jacob Riis Park, New York City
Known as Riis Beach or simply Riis, Jacob Riis Park has attracted queer sun worshippers since the 1940s. Situated on the oceanfront Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, this beach has historically been a haven for gay individuals from New York City seeking a place to sunbathe nude, often barred from busier beaches. Today, this stretch of sand retains its queer essence as one of NYC’s vibrant and inclusive LGBTIQ+ public spaces, especially popular during the summer and Pride weekend.
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Artifacts belonging to the late San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk are exhibited at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender History Museum © Justin Sullivan / Getty Images6. GLBT History Museum, San Francisco
Located in San Francisco, the GLBT History Museum, often dubbed the “queer Smithsonian,” houses a vast archive focused on queer history in the US, particularly highlighting the LGBTIQ+ communities of San Francisco and Northern California. Situated in the historic Castro district, the exhibits here illuminate the rich tapestry of LGBTIQ+ life in the city since the 1850s.
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