New map highlights NYC landmarks related to LGBTQ+ history
Image courtesy of the National Parks Conservation Association on Flickr
In celebration of Pride Month, the Landmarks Preservation Commission last week released an interactive story map that highlights important landmarks in New York City known for their significance within the LGBTQ+ community’s cultural and civil rights movement. The project highlights seven individual landmarks throughout the city, including James Baldwin’s Upper West Side apartment and the Stonewall Inn, one of the most important sites associated with LGBTQ+ history in the United States. The story map focuses solely on individual landmarks designated primarily for their LGBTQ+ significance, not just sites that have ties to individuals and groups.
All screenshots courtesy of the Landmarks Preservation Commission
Other landmarks featured on the map include the Gay Activists Alliance Firehouse in SoHo, the Women’s Liberation Center in Chelsea, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in the West Village. Also included is the Staten Island home of African-American writer and civil rights activist, Audre Lorde.
Each landmark is accompanied by both a current and historical photograph, as well as a summary of its significance and a link to the site’s landmark designation report.
The commission has released other story maps to highlight LGBTQ+ history in New York, including the “Taking Pride” story map, which was released in 2015 and focuses on landmarks of Greenwich Village.
Six of the seven sites found on the story map were designated as landmarks by the LPC in 2019 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. The Stonewall Inn was officially designated as an individual landmark in 2015, becoming the first city site designated based only on its LGBTQ+ history.
“LGBTQ+ history is New York City’s history, and we cannot truly appreciate where we are if we don’t know where we’ve been,” Mayor Eric Adams said.
“These landmarks are meaningful sites in our collective story. As we celebrate Pride Month, I am excited that this new, interactive resource will allow all New Yorkers to recognize the LGBTQ+ community’s tremendous contributions to our city.”
In February 2021, the LPC released a similar type of interactive story map for landmarks and historic districts in NYC relate to Black history and culture. Like the map highlighting sites relevant to Black history and culture, this map will continue to be updated as more sites are designated as landmarks.
“New York City’s diversity is its greatest strength, and in recent years LPC has been working to identify and designate sites that reflect the City’s rich history, including its LGBTQ+ history, so that we are telling the full story of all New Yorkers,” Sarah Caroll, LPC Chair, said.
Caroll continued: “The designated landmarks highlighted in this story map underscore New York City’s significant role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, and I hope it brings greater awareness to this important history. As the Commission continues to recognize and designate sites that reflect the city’s LGBTQ+ history, they will be added to this story map.”
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