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LGBTQ culture in Philadelphia

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Philadelphia Gayborhood street sign on 13th Street near Washington Square West

The development of LGBT culture in Philadelphia can be traced back to the early 20th century. It exists in current times as a dynamic, diverse, and philanthropically active culture with establishments and events held to promote LGBT culture and rights in Philadelphia and beyond.

History

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20th century

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The Philadelphia LGBT community has roots as far back as the 1930s and 1940s. Early gay networks would meet privately at underground house parties and other private venues within Center City, West Philadelphia, and Germantown.[1] In tandem with the substantial post-WWII expansion of American suburbia, which resulted in white-collar families relocating to the suburbs in significant numbers, Center City had plentiful affordable housing and urban anonymity that allowed the LGBT culture to meet hidden from public view.[2]

By the 1950s, a jazz, espresso, and beatnik culture was stirring things up around Rittenhouse Square and in coffee houses on Sansom Street, creating a niche for the city's gay community.

In the mid-20th century, conflicts between homosexual and heterosexual communities were common within Center City neighborhoods. Gays and lesbians were found commonly living around Rittenhouse Square and saw Rittenhouse Square Park as a safety zone for camaraderie. Gay men used the park as a place to find other men. Hippies and pre-Stonewall gays were also part of their own groups there.[3]

In 1962, the LGBT culture developing in Philadelphia eventually inspired the first article published in America that recognized a city's gay community and political scene, which was titled "The Furtive Fraternity" and described political limitations the emerging gay community was confronting, was published in Philadelphia magazine.[2]

Also in 1962, the Janus Society was founded in Philadelphia;[4] it is notable as the publisher of Drum magazine, one of the earliest LGBT-interest publications in the United States and most widely circulated in the 1960s,[5] and for its role in organizing many of the nation's earliest LGBT rights demonstrations.[6] The Janus Society takes its name from the Roman two-faced God Janus of beginnings, endings, and doorways. The organization focused on a policy of militant respectability, a strategy demanding respect by showing the public LGBT individuals conforming to heteronormative standards of dress at protests.[5]

Washington Square West, commercially called Midtown Village, is mainly referred to as the Gayborhood by locals.[1] Since the 1920s, this area has been a mecca for fashion and entertainment. During the 1960s, a transition from high-end stage performances and chorus lines into cheap adult entertainment took place. Musical bars on Camac and Quince Streets hosted gay and lesbian clientele but required a fee be paid to Philadelphia mob connections for law enforcement to look the other way. The preservation of these bars around 13th and Locust Streets, through dealings with the Philadelphia mob, made gay culture appear more closely tied to illegal activity, which drew attention from the authorities.[2]

Dewey's sit-ins

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Main article: Dewey's sit-ins
The historic marker for "Dewey's Sit-In" (dedicated on October 1, 2018) located at 17th and St. James streets in the neighborhood of Rittenhouse Square.[7][8]

On April 25, 1965, over 150 people were denied service at Dewey's, a local coffee shop and diner at 219 South 17th Street in Philadelphia, near Rittenhouse Square. Those denied service were variously described at the time as "homosexuals", "masculine women", "feminine men", and "persons wearing non-conformist clothing". Three teenagers reported by Janus Society and Drum magazine to be two males and one female staged a sit-in, which became known as the first of two Dewey's sit-ins. After restaurant managers contacted police, the three were arrested. In the process of offering legal support for the teens, local activist and president of the Janus Society, Clark Polak, was also arrested.[9] Demonstrations took place outside the establishment over the next five days with 1500 flyers being distributed by the Janus Society and its supporters. Three people staged a second sit-in on May 2, 1965. The police were again called, but refused to make arrests this time. The Janus Society said the protests were successful in preventing further arrests and the action was deemed “the first sit-in of its kind in the history of the United States” by Drum magazine.[9]

In October 2018, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission erected a historic marker to commemorate the sit-in, which was the eighth historic marker to be dedicated towards LGBT rights in the city of Philadelphia. The marker is at 17th and St. James streets in the neighborhood of Rittenhouse Square.[10]

Annual Reminder

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Main article: Annual Reminder

The Annual Reminders were a series of early pickets organized by LGBTQ organizations, which took place annually on July 4 at Independence Hall beginning in 1965 and were among the earliest LGBT demonstrations in the United States. The events were designed to inform and remind the American people that LGBT people did not enjoy basic civil rights protections. The reminders were held each year until 1969, with the final picket taking place shortly after the June 28 Stonewall riot in New York City, which was considered the flashpoint of the modern gay liberation movement. Reminder organizers decided to discontinue the July 4 pickets. Instead, they organized the Christopher Street Liberation Day demonstration held June 28, 1970, to commemorate the anniversary of the riot.[11] In 2005 a historical marker was placed at 6th and Chestnut Streets to commemorate the Annual Reminders.[12]

Late 20th century

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Philadelphia's first Gay Pride Parade was held in Rittenhouse Square on June 11, 1972, hosted by the Gay Activists Alliance, the Homophile Action League, Radicalesbians and groups from Penn State and Temple University. The route started down Chestnut Street and ended at Independence Park.[13]

In 1973 three Gay Activists Alliance (GAA) members, Tom Wilson Weinberg, Dan Sherbo and Bern Boyle, opened the gay bookstore Giovanni's Room at 232 South Street.[14] It was named after James Baldwin's gay novel Giovanni's Room. The store was closed shortly afterward due to a homophobic landlord. The store changed hands to lesbian activist Pat Hill in 1974 and then to Ed Hermance and Arleen Oshan in 1976.[14] Hermance and Olshan moved the store first to 1426 Spruce Street and then to its final location on 12th and Pine in 1979.[15] It has been called the "center of gay Philly".[15] Philly AIDS Thrift took over the store after the owner retired in 2014 and so the store is now called Philly AIDS Thrift at Giovanni's Room, also known as PAT @ Giovanni's Room.[16][17][18]

This Washington Square West district was selected to undergo gentrification in the mid-1970s and up to one-fifth of the old structures were razed.[2] Shortly after the project began, federal assistance was discontinued and the district's demolished lots sat unoccupied during a long recovery period into the 1990s. Mayor Ed Rendell promoted a new era of gentrification, which helped Washington Square West regain its footing and transform into a healthy, economically viable community by the early 2000s.[2]

However, the lumping together of prostitutes, drug dealers, and homosexuals provoked police raids on gay bars up into the early 1980s. During this time, demonstrations at Independence Hall for gay rights sought to raise the community from an underground and lascivious group into a more unified community and political entity.[2] This same area of the city remains an epicenter for gay culture today.[19]

21st century

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In 2007, 36 rainbow street signs were mounted throughout intersections within 11th and Broad Streets, formally recognizing the Gayborhood as part of Philadelphia culture.[2]

In 2014, gay transgender man Lou Cutler became the first openly transgender man to be crowned Mr. Gay Philadelphia.[20] In 2020, Philly Leather crowned the contest's first non-binary winner, Mx. Philadelphia Leather Diamond Anthony.[21]

In 2018, a historical marker was placed at 17th and St. James streets to commemorate the Dewey's sit-ins.[22]

There are additional neighborhoods in Philadelphia with sizeable and/or growing LGBT populations: East Passyunk Crossing has been dubbed by some as the "New Gayborhood,"[23][24][25] and Mount Airy has a significant number of lesbian households.[26]

Racism accusations

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The Gayborhood had a long history of racism reaching back decades.[27] In the 1970s, queer black men were forced to fill out an application to be considered members of one exclusive gay club. Only men judged to be "hot" were given entry, and often after a significant wait time.[27] Some queer nonprofits in Philly, especially in the wake of the AIDS epidemic, were accused of catering mostly towards queer white men.[27] One popular gay bar in the 1990s had racialized party nights, including an "Oriental Express" and "Congo Night", creating significant protests.[27]

In 2017, a Philadelphia report has suggested that the Gayborhood had a long history of contemporary racism against queer people of color (QPOC), as well as discrimination against women and trans people.[28][29] One video went viral showing an owner of a gay club using a racial slur.[28][30][27] Many QPOC people stated in the report that they faced discriminatory carding policies. Some establishments banned clothing and apparel predominantly worn by QPOC, such as Timberland boots, athletic gear, and hooded sweatshirts in many of the gayborhood establishments.[30][31]

In 2021, after organizing PrideDay in June and OutFest in October for 32 years, Philly Pride Presents abruptly dissolved facing community accusations of mismanagement, racism, and transphobia. To fill in the role, a local group of LGBTQ+ volunteers formed a new group called PHL Pride Collective.[32][33][34][35]

In 2024, Philly Dyke March returned after 5 years, but faced a scism after a group of black organizers of the separate Philly Dyke Night claimed that the original organizers remained quiet on multiple progressive issues.[36] A separate Philly Dyke March Rebirth was held by queer and trans POC.[36]

Community organizations

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Galaei

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GALAEI fights for access, opportunity, sexual empowerment, and economic justice while fighting systemic oppression, structural racism, discrimination, and white supremacy.[37]

Mazzoni Center

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The Mazzoni Center, established in 1979, is the only healthcare provider in Philadelphia that operates specifically for the LGBT community. The center's array of HIV/AIDS-related and general health services benefit over 30,000 individuals annually. Community programs are open to the public that include focus groups and outreach programs. Other health care services include HIV and STD testing, food and housing options, mental and behavioral health services, and LGBT legal services. The center seeks to break down cultural insensitivity that LGBT individuals may encounter in mainstream healthcare systems by communicating through knowledgeable health care and preventative services counselors.[38]

Philly AIDS Thrift

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Philly AIDS Thrift is a charitable organization founded in 2005. Its goal is to raise money and distribute the proceeds to local organizations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.[39][40]

PHL Pride Collective

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PHL Pride Collective was formed by LGBTQ+ community members in 2021 following the abrupt dissolvement of Philly Pride Presents following accusations of mismanagement, racism, and transphobia.[32][33][34][35] The Collective is working to reimagine Philly Pride to be more community oriented, more revolutionary, and more in the spirit of LGBTQ+ Pride than ever before.

William Way LGBT Community Center

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The William Way LGBT Community Center, founded in 1975, was founded as the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Philadelphia. It maintains an archive of local and regional LGBT information and culture, curates exhibitions, and offers community support.

Bars and entertainment

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A diverse range of gay-friendly businesses and organizations are located within Philadelphia, including bars, nightclubs, performance theaters, shops, health centers, restaurants, and adult theaters.[41] Popular bars and nightclubs include Cockatoo, Level Up Bar and Lounge, Knock Restaurant and Bar, Stir Lounge, Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar,[42] Tavern on Camac, The Bike Stop, UBar, Voyeur, Toast Walnut Bar & Kitchen, and Woody's.[43]

Politics

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Mayor of Philadelphia John Street was elected in 1999 with the help of LGBT activists. Following his election, Street selected over twelve LGBT persons to work on his mayoral transition team.[44]

Media

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The oldest LGBT weekly newspaper is the Philadelphia Gay News, founded in 1976.[45] Its purple vending machines are found in Center City.[46]

Events

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The city hosts many LGBT-related events including Equality Forum, Blue Ball, the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference, Pride Parade, and OutFest.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Gavin, Karrie. "Philadelphia's Gay Scene: Gay History and Culture in Philadelphia". Philadelphia.About.com. Archived from the original on 2017-03-13. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Skiba, Bob (12 February 2014). "The Roots of the Gayborhood, The Eve of a Milestone". hiddencityphiladephia.org. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  3. ^ Nickels, Thom (September–October 2003). "Philadelphia Stories". The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide; Boston. 10 (5): 25. ProQuest 198663026.
  4. ^ "Philly's LGBT history: A primer on the city's legacy of pride - On top of Philly news". Billypenn.com. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  5. ^ a b Encyclopedia of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history in America. Stein, Marc. New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons/Thomson/Gale. 2004. ISBN 0684312611. OCLC 52819577.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. ^ Loughery, John (1998). The Other Side of Silence – Men's Lives and Gay Identities: A Twentieth-Century History. New York, Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0-8050-3896-5, p. 270
  7. ^ "Dewey's Sit-In Historic Marker | Equality Forum".
  8. ^ Mariner, Cosmos (June 25, 2019). "Dewey's Sit-in". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Marc Stein: Dewey's Sit-in, Philadelphia, April 25, 1965". OutHistory. April 20, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  10. ^ "New Historic Marker in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square Honors Early LGBT Sit-In at Dewey's". October 1, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  11. ^ "NYC Pride March". NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project.
  12. ^ Martinac, Paula. "Annual Reminder Marker". National Trust for Historic Preservation. Archived from the original on August 1, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  13. ^ Skiba, Bob (2018-06-08). "Gay Pride in Philadelphia, 1972-2018". Philadelphia Gay News. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
  14. ^ a b "Giovanni's Room records, circa 1975–1991" (PDF). John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives. July 19, 2019.
  15. ^ a b Gillespie, Tyler (21 May 2014). "The Last Day at Giovanni's Room, America's Oldest Gay Bookstore". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  16. ^ Connie Wu (July 25, 2014). "Nation's Oldest LGBT Bookstore Rescued from Closing". OutTraveler.
  17. ^ "Oldest US Gay Bookstore to Reopen in Philadelphia - ABC News". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  18. ^ "EPGN". epgn.com. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  19. ^ "Welcome to the Gayborhood" (PDF). CenterCityPhila.org. Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus and Philadelphia magazine. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  20. ^ "Lou Cutler Wins Mr. Gay Philadelphia 2014". Philly Mag. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
  21. ^ "History – Philly Leather". www.leathercontest.com. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  22. ^ "New Historic Marker in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square Honors Early LGBT Sit-In at Dewey's". Cision. October 1, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  23. ^ Colletta, Jen. Philadelphia Gay News, "Out on The Avenue: East Passyunk sees growth through LGBT businesses, residents". Accessed 12 October 2009.
  24. ^ Remo, Jessica. Philadelphia Magazine "Trends: Go South, Young Homo Archived 2010-06-08 at the Wayback Machine". Accessed 12 October 2009.
  25. ^ Smith, Sandy. "Filling Our QOTA in the "Gayborhood South"". Philly Gay Calendar. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  26. ^ "The Philadelphia LGBT Community Assessment Final Report, October 27, 2006" (PDF). Archived from the original on November 23, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^ a b c d e Zipkin, Michele (2020-10-27). "Racism runs deep in Philadelphia's Gayborhood". Philadelphia Gay News. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  28. ^ a b "Gayborhood Racism Is Long-Standing, Philadelphia Report Says". NBC News. 2017-01-23. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  29. ^ Lozano, Alicia Victoria (2017-01-23). "Philly Finds Racism, Discrimination Rampant in Gayborhood". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  30. ^ a b "Slur in video exposes racial rifts in iconic gay enclave". NBC News. 2016-10-14. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  31. ^ Drake, Robert (7 October 2016). "Don't trick yourself into thinking Gayborhood racism is new". WHYY. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  32. ^ a b Crimmins, Peter (23 June 2021). "Philly Pride is canceled. What will go on in its place?". WHYY. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  33. ^ a b Zipkin, Michele (2021-07-14). "Black and Brown LGBTQ organizers start to formulate a new Philly Pride". Philadelphia Gay News. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  34. ^ a b Winberg, Michaela (21 July 2021). "Reinventing Philly's Pride Parade: What happens next?". Billy Penn. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  35. ^ a b Winberg, Michaela (9 August 2021). "Philly Pride parade nonprofit owed thousands to the city when it imploded, and left vendors out to dry". Billy Penn. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  36. ^ a b Compendio, Chris (31 May 2024). "Philly Dyke March is back for Pride Month, but a schism spawned a new event with a similar purpose and name". PhillyVoice. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  37. ^ "GALAEI". Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  38. ^ "Mazzoni Center: History & Mission". MazzoniCenter.org. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  39. ^ "About Us". Philly AIDS Thrift. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  40. ^ "AIDS Service Providers". Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  41. ^ "Philly Gay Calendar". phillygaycalendar.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  42. ^ "Tabu to replace Icandy, the Gayborhood bar where owner used racial slur". inquirer.com. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  43. ^ "Bars and Nightlife in Philadelphia's Gayborhood". VisitPhilly.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  44. ^ Haider-Markel, Donald P. Gay and Lesbian Americans and Political Participation: A Reference Handbook (Political participation in America). ABC-CLIO, January 1, 2002. ISBN 1576072568, 9781576072561. p. 145.
  45. ^ "OVERVIEW -- CIRCULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-06-21. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  46. ^ "How PGN got its vending boxes | Philadelphia Gay News". epgn.com. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-10.

^ Nickels, Thom Gay and Lesbian Philadelphia, Arcadia Publishing, 2002

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