Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center brings LGBTQ+ history to life
As I stepped into the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, the first thing that greeted me was my reflection framed by the words “See History Be History.” It felt like both a welcome and an invitation. As part of the Wall of Solidarity—a lively exhibit celebrating love, community, and queer joy—the frame establishes the mood for what…
The Pride flag was removed from Stonewall. That matters.
The Pride flag has been an enduring symbol of the LGBTQ+ community since 1978, when the first design by Gilbert Baker debuted at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. Over the decades, the flag’s design has evolved from the original nine colors to six to versions including brown and black stripes to honor the…
Local laws filled the federal void for LGBTQ+ rights and offer a path forward today
Special to News is Out from Philadelphia Gay News Although no law can truly prevent unfair treatment, nondiscrimination laws act as a deterrent and offer a path to accountability when problems arise. But many state statutes do not explicitly protect LGBTQ+ people — and without federal nondiscrimination laws pertaining to the queer community, most LGBTQ+ people…
15 films and tv series about LGBTQ+ history and where to find them
While LGBTQ+ history is rich, it’s often not taught or widely known to a mainstream audience. Much of our history is hidden in the annals of archives or through oral tradition. How can we look to the future when we remain unclear about our past? This history month, we’re examining how our stories have been…
Biden’s acknowledgment of LGBTQ+ History Month ‘consequential’
President Joe Biden signed a letter acknowledging Equality Forum’s LGBTQ+ History Month launch event held on Sunday, writing that, “by celebrating stories of bravery, resilience and joy, your example inspires hope in all people seeking a life true to who they are.” Malcolm Lazin, Equality Forum executive director, said Biden’s letter is “consequential.” He noted…
8 LGBTQ+ archives and how you can experience them
Preserving LGBTQ+ history is vital and thankfully, there are collections around the country that capture both the monumental and everyday moments of our past. These archives offer a glimpse into our lives and lay out a path for the battles that lie ahead for our community. Dr. John P. De Cecco Archives and Special Collections…
8 LGBTQ+ walking tours you can take year-round
Just because Pride month is nearly over doesn’t mean we have to stop celebrating and learning about our community. These walking tours all around the country offer a look into the lives and fascinating history of LGBTQ+ people from Boston to San Francisco. Learn about artists and activists who changed the world, events that rocked…
Lesbian software developer seeks to preserve lost LGBTQ+ history
Up until the early 2010s, if you searched “Babe Ruth” in the Baseball Hall of Fame, nothing would pop up. To find information on the greatest baseball player of all time, you would have to search “Ruth, George Herman.” That is the way online archival systems were set up and there was a clear problem…
Exploring 70 years of lesbian publications: From 1940s zines to modern glossy magazines
Since the 1940s, lesbians have created a vibrant history of publications. From the exploration of daily lesbian life to literary and feminist pursuits, to the modern age of glossy magazines, for over 70 years, lesbians have been finding a way to connect and share their stories in periodicals, newsletters and beyond. The very beginnings Edythe…
11 groundbreaking moments in U.S. LGBTQ+ history
The history of the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. is rich. While the Stonewall Rebellion and legislative wins like Obergefell v. Hodges often dominate discussions about our history, many other stories and people paved the way for modern LGBTQ+ rights. From brave individuals in the 19th century who risked it all to create a space…
The evolution of LGBTQ+ online dating
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. From casual hook-ups to friendships to meeting the love of your life, LGBTQ+ online dating was created out of a need for community. When I first messaged my wife of six years on OkCupid in 2014, I didn’t realize I was taking part in an online…
LGBTQ+ icons George Harris and Jack Evans: A love story for the ages
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. When George Harris and Jack Evans became the first couple to legally marry in Dallas County, they had already been together 54 years. That day in 2015, Dallas was the largest metropolitan area in the country to gain marriage equality, and a photo of the…
When NOW purged lesbians
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. The website of The National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) describes Betty Friedan as “co-founder of the National Organization for Women” (NOW) and “one of the early leaders of the women’s rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Her 1963 best-selling book, The Feminine Mystique, gave voice to millions of…
Golden State queer mecca is more than San Francisco
This article is part of the LGBT Media History Project. The 1979 police assault on San Francisco’s former Elephant Walk bar on Castro Street after the White Night riots was a defining moment for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, helping to cement the solidarity of a new community while the whole world was watching. Earlier that year,…
In 1960s, drag found a home in San Francisco’s Glen Park
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. During the 1960s, most LGBTQ+ nightlife in San Francisco was centered in the northern neighborhoods of the city. Gay bars could be found along Polk Street, in the Tenderloin, and the South of Market neighborhood. In the heart of the city, the late lesbian couple Phyllis…
Putting an end to the myths of Stonewall
Special to News is Out from the LGBT History Project. For years, people have debated what actually happened that night in June 1969 when Stonewall was raided and a new, more militant struggle for equality was born. Due to the debates, and the insistence of some who claim they knew all aspects of what had actually…
The lessons of LGBTQ History Month
This article first appeared in Philadelphia Gay News and is republished with permission. Every year in October, we bring you stories from those who changed the trajectory of our community. From groups like Gay Liberation Front to people like Pauli Murray, it’s important to remember where we came from and to use the lessons of…
Patric McCoy exhibition unearths forgotten moments from Chicago’s Black queer history
It’s the unusual person who is able to transform their commutes to and from their office into anything meaningful, let alone a profound body of work documenting a generation. But Patric McCoy has done just that. McCoy, a retired scientist as well as an art collector, spent years carrying his 35mm camera on his bike…
LGBTQ+ History Month is a celebration of community
As I write, it’s National Coming Out Day. Since 1988, this day in October has been a day of solidarity for those who have come out. It is also a hopeful, supportive, gentle opportunity for anyone in flux, transition or considering coming out. We all have coming out stories. It is important to voice them.…
Acknowledging queer women during Women’s History Month
They say history is told by the victors, and history in the United States is told from the perspective of white, cisgender, straight men. Our schools teach this narrative but then take the opportunity during certain months to tell the history of “the other,” showing that we are not the ones whose history is the…
Archives for ALL, Y’all!
Queer History South 2022 conference to take place in Dallas from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. The contributions of LGBTQ+ people toward the betterment of the world cannot be underestimated, and the world is a better place when LGBTQ+ people are allowed to flourish. From government and engineering to science and the arts, LGBTQ+ people…
6 ways to experience LGBTQ+ history this Pride month
Pride month is a perfect time to reflect on the people and events that helped us get where we are today. For many LGBTQ+ people, they never got to see their bravery and sacrifice blossom into the joyful celebrations we now have around the world. This June, you can honor their legacies and learn more…