FREE Lecture for #LGBTHistoryMonth

What challenges have we met (and overcome!) in the process of identifying, documenting and interpreting LGBTQ place-based heritage? Project co-director Ken Lustbader joins with Gwen Shockey, John Reddick and Carrie Davis for a discussion about the significance and meaning of LGBTQ sites which — though often overlooked — remain integral to our public history and built environment. Hosted by The J.M. Kaplan Fund.

Reclaiming the Invisible: A Conversation About LGBTQ Heritage for #LGBTHistoryMonth
Tuesday, October 22nd at 6pm
The J.M. Kaplan Fund, 71 W 23rd Street, 9th Floor
FREE; RSVP to [email protected]

This conversation will also spotlight the University of Pennsylvania Press’ current issue of “Change Over Time,” which focuses on LGBTQ heritage.

Photo: The Empire State Building illuminated in celebration of NYC Pride.

LGBT History is Hidden in Plain Sight

… and we’ll show you! October is LGBT History Month and the Project is connecting the present and the past on our social media channels. Follow all month long to learn about the LGBT history embedded within the sites you walk by every day!

IG: @nyclgbtsites          TW: @nyclgbtsites          FB: /nyclgbtsites

Victor’s Cafe, then and now, featuring mural by gay Cuban artist
Arturo Martin Garcia,on the Upper West Side

Origins in Education

LGBT History Month was established in 1994 when a Missouri high school teacher, Rodney Wilson, recognized an omission of LGBT history from the cirriculum, and a general lack of awareness from young people. Together, Wilson, his fellow teachers and community leaders selected October as a month for which to shine a light on the contributions of LGBT indivdiuals to American history. (more)

Why October? Across the country, public schools are in session and can engage with content developed specifically on this subject. And, importantly, existing traditions such as National Coming Out Day (October 11th) occur this month.

The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project is an educational resource for everyone, whether you’re walking the City and curious about its LGBT history, or an educator seeking to bring this important American history into the classroom. We’re proud of our work with the NYC Department of Education and will continue to uncover the invisible history of LGBT people in New York, and to share it with the largest number of people possible!

Let’s Go Exploring

All you need is Instagram to join us on mini-tours of LGBT history this month. Follow us at @nyclgbtsites and watch for capsule collections of LGBT historic sites inspired by our tours on the VAMONDE app.