Six New Historic Sites Published

Capping off October’s LGBT History Month, we’ve added six new sites to our map! This group includes our first Asian-American historic site, another Latino site, and more representation in Queens and Staten Island. There are still lots more diverse sites in our queue that we’re actively researching and photographing so be sure to check back or sign up for our newsletter to stay updated.

The latest additions to our website include:

• Kitty Genovese Residence, Queens: From 1963 to 1964, Kitty Genovese lived here with her girlfriend Mary Ann Zielonko, though they were known to most people as roommates. In March 1964, a sensationalized and largely untrue news article about Genovese’s murder captivated the public and made her a symbol of bystander apathy. (see the full entry)
• “Desi Dhamaka” Protests at Madison Square Park, Manhattan: For several years in the 1990s, the South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association (SALGA) led “Desi Dhamaka” protests in Madison Square Park in response to being banned from participating in the annual India Day Parade. SALGA and its allies also handed out flyers and provided information sessions for the Desi LGBT community in the park. (see the full entry)
• Louis Sullivan & the Bayard-Condict Building, Manhattan: This elegant loft building is the only New York City design of Chicago master architect Louis Sullivan. Evidence suggests the likelihood that Sullivan was a gay man. (see the full entry)
• Jimmy Zappalorti Lane, Staten Island: On January 22, 1990, Vietnam War veteran Jimmy Zappalorti was murdered near his home on the South Shore of Staten Island because he was gay. The highly publicized murder became the borough’s first officially-designated gay hate crime and helped lead to New York State’s first hate crimes bill, which passed in 2000. (see the full entry)
• Empire State Building, Manhattan: After a multi-year campaign led by GLAAD, the Empire State Building commemorated LGBT Pride for the first time in 1990 by lighting its famed tower in lavender, a tradition it continues today with rainbow lighting. In subsequent years it has also been lit in association with World AIDS Day and Spirit Day, an initiative that brings attention to the bullying, and related suicides, of LGBT youth. (see the full entry)
• Asociación de Arte Latinoamericano (ADAL), Manhattan: For nearly 40 years, gay artistic director Max Ferrá led INTAR, a Latino theater company first known as Asociación de Arte Latinoamericano (ADAL) when it was located in this building from 1966 to 1971. Under Ferrá, who was also a co-founder, the company became a major force in developing Hispanic-American theater talent, including original works by several notable LGBT playwrights. (see the full entry)