Pride month is a time of love, acceptance, and celebration and in New York City there are a few new spectacular additions to the events this year that are well worth your time. For those looking to learn more about the city’s vibrant LGBTQ history should check out these spots.
Named after the impactful Stonewall riots that occurred in the 1960s, the Stonewall Inn opened in the 1990s. The inn stands as a historic LGBTQ NYC landmark, known for its hopping bar and spirited pride celebrations. This year, a visitor’s center is opening in the building next door, a project spearheaded by the Chief Executive of Pride Live, Diana Rodriguez. “My hope is that people come in and learn more about Stonewall,” Rodriguez told The New York Times. “And then, at the end of their time here, they feel compelled to take action.” The National Park Service rangers working at the Stonewall Monument will recieve a home base in addition to offering background information on Stonewall’s history for visitors thanks to the more than $3 million Rodriguez raised for the visitor’s center project. The center will not only offer insights about Stonewall but also serve as a welcoming space for visitors seeking knowledge about its past but who aren’t interested in the bar atmosphere.
Another LGBTQ historic site, albeit further away from the city on Staten Island, is The Alice Austen House Museum. The house, originally built in 1690, was the home of documentary filmmaker Alice Austen, who lived there for more than thirty years with her partner Gertrude Tate. Austen was known for her groundbreaking photos of the city at the turn of the 20th century and her photographs of her and Tate’s unconventional friend group. The property was her studio until her death in 1952, when it was converted into a museum. “I felt like it was incredibly important for the house to have a lesbian leading the interpretation,” said Victoria Munro, the museum’s director, who has been spearheading the effort to bring to light Austen’s contributions to LGBTQ history. The museum currently has more than 7,000 of Austen’s works on display, as well as photographer Saskia Scheffer’s depictions of a 1994 protest against the museum for refusing to acknowledge Austen’s sexuality.
The Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Brooklyn is not a historic site, but it does honor one of New York City’s prominent LGBTQ figures and has made history as being the first New York State park to be named after an openly LGBTQ person. Johnson is an icon of transgender activism who passed away in 1992. Her legacy lives on through the vibrant art displays and signs with information about transgender history and awareness throughout the park. “The renaming opened the door to reimagine the park,” said Leslie Wright, the state parks regional director for New York City. The Marsha P. Johnson State Park is set to host several events during Pride Month and is home to the open-air food festival Smorgasburg on Saturdays.
Pride Month is more than just parades and celebrations, it is also a time to learn about LGBTQ history to gain awareness about the ongoing push for equality and representation for all. These hot city locations are both educational and fun, making them perfect for a summer weekend activity.
