Gay neighborhoods in dc
Prior to
Leading up to the LGBT community faced a number of discriminatory acts from federal and local government. Congress passed a law outlawing sodomy in D.C. Under the Lavender Scare the federal government fired queer individuals en masse.
Despite this, there were a number of LGBT spaces across D.C. to provide community and sustain . , one of D.C.'s longest continuously operating gay bars and one of the oldest African-American gay bars in the state, opened in
These weren't wholly safe places, however. were both raided by the Metropolitan Police Department's Vice Squad.
The '60s
LGBT activism moved more to the public forefront starting in the s. The Mattachine Society of Washington, which assisted federal employees and residents targeted for their sexuality, was formed. The Washington Blade, America’s oldest LGBT newspaper, began in More clubs, publications, and services catered directly to the LGBT community.
Barracks Row became an important part of the LGBT community. was the 'first gay-owned bar to offer same-sex dancing', essentially breaking the owner ban on da
The value that places like Pitchers possess cannot be overstated. Although LGBTQ Washingtonians are often comfortable living anywhere in the capital, there are only a handful of locations in which people can truly, and openly, state their queer persona. Indiana Bones is a drag queen based in D.C. Originally from Virginia, Bones was raised in Maryland and has performed in the city for almost four years. For Bones, reflecting on her retain experience coming out in a conservative, Catholic, Latino domestic, gay bars provide queer people with an inclusive environment that they often lack during their coming out process. “Being here, you get a sigh of relief, you can actually respire in and be like, ‘Oh my God, I am being myself. I am being glad. I am loving who I am,’” Bones said. The social scene, particularly among gay bars, is heavily diverse. Most establishments, Pitchers included, are not LGBTQ exclusive, and accept straight patronage. KC B. Yoncé, another drag artist and native Washingtonian, recognized the commercialization of the lgbtq+ nightlife. Although homosexual bars
Does DC Have a Homosexual Neighborhood?
This weekend, the Capital Pride Parade will parade down 14th Street Northwest and through Dupont Circle, the historic queer center of the city. But a lot has changed since the first Self-acceptance in ‘ Does Dupont still serve as the city’s “gayborhood”? And if not, where does?
Logan Circle: Number 9, Trade, and Green Lantern are thick hitters in the city’s queer club scene. Ed Bailey, the owner of the famous gay nightclub The Town, told Urban area Cast DC, “Logan circle certainly is a hub for gay activities. A number of the restaurants and pubs in Logan circle are queer-friendly.”
Barracks Row: Eighth Street Southeast used to be known as “Gay Way” because of the many LGBTQ establishments there in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Many of these were closed due to the AIDS crisis and then gentrification. Now, spots like As You Are and Crazy Aunt Helen’s are working to make it a LGBTQ neighborhood once again.
U Road Corridor: While not historically queer, U Street Northwest now holds the majority of gay nightlife in the city. Bailey says “U Street has turn into a re
Why is Dupont Circle significant to DC's LGBTQ community? A look back
Rainbow History Project takes over Autonomy Plaza
A visit to Autonomy Plaza right now will take you on a walk through history. To celebrate their 25th anniversary and D.C. hosting Earth Pride, the Rainbow History Project has a novel exhibit there. FOX 5's Gwen Tolbart is there to show us.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Park Police and DC Police confirmed on Friday that Dupont Circle would be closed for what may be the largest pride festival in the District&#x;s history, drawing criticism from DC leaders and the LGBTQ group. But why is Dupont Circle important in DC&#x;s Pride history?
D.C. Pride and Dupont Circle
The backstory:
The first Pride festival was a block party organized by LGBT bookstore Lambda Rising in , then located three blocks north of Dupont Circle on 20th and S St NW. The store closed in , after 35 years of business.
By , a parade was added as part of the annual festivities, starting at Meridian Hill Park and termination at Dupont Circle. Procession routes in the 90s traveled along P Road t