New York City has always had a rich LGBT history to showcase. Whether it was the thriving gay neighborhoods of Greenwich Village or the up-and-coming drag scene in Bowery, LGBT culture is a part of the fabric of New York City. Here are some of the most iconic LGBT historical landmarks that are well worth your visit!
WOW Café Theatre
East Village
59-61 East 4th Street
Theater and Performance Center
A stone’s throw away from the Astor Pal subway station in East Village, the WOW Cafe Theater is one of New York’s top destinations for women and/or transgender theater. Founded in 1980 by Lois Weaver and Peggy Shaw, WOW was central to the performance and theater scene in the mid 80s and continues to provide an intimate space to see shows featuring queer women, trans people of color, and more.
Audre Lorde Project
Brooklyn
85 S Oxford St,
LGBTQ Community Center
In the heart of the Wallabout neighborhood in Brooklyn, the Audre Lorde Project is a community organization for LGBTQ+ People of Color Communities. Named after Black lesbian writer, educator, and activist Audre Lorde, the project focuses on community wellness and nonviolent activism.
Marsha P. Johnson State Park
Brooklyn
90 Kent Ave
State Park
https://www.parks.ny.gov/parks/155/details.aspx
In the busy neighborhood of Williamsburg, along the East River, lies the Marsha P. Johnson State Park. The park is named after Black transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson, who was a key figure in the gay liberation movement after the Stonewall uprising. It is the first state park in New York to be named after an LGBT person. The park is free to enter and open to the public. It offers visitors a stunning river view of the Manhattan skyline with lots of space for picnics and relaxing.
Green-Wood Cemetery
Brooklyn
500 25th St
Cemetery
The Green Wood Cemetery is a national historic landmark founded in 1838. Today, the cemetery is an outdoor museum that tells the history and evokes the cultures of Brooklyn and its residents. It is the final resting place of many members of the LGBT community including Fred Ebb, Richard Isay, Paul Jabara and more. During the summer, it is the perfect place to see cherry blossoms in New York.
Washington Square United Methodist Church & Parish House
West Village
135 & 133 West 4th Street
Community Space
https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/washington-square-united-methodist-church-parish-house/
Washington Square United Methodist Church & Parish house was a meeting space for LGBT groups, including the Salsa Soul Sisters, Harvey Milk High School, and the Metropolitan Community Church of New York. The congregation of this former church was led by the pioneering, openly gay Reverend Paul Abels from 1973 to 1984. This church has also hosted important events in LGBT history, including an open community forum about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases which led to the formation of the Gay Men’s Health Project at the Liberation House.
Interested in exploring more of NYC’s LGBT history? Check out NYC LGBT Historic Site Project for more recommendations on sites that shaped American history and culture.