June marks one year since the Stonewall Inn was designated an individual New York City landmark within the historic district of Greenwich Village. While the Stonewall Riots were a dramatic historical moment for the LGBT community, the movement did not start or end there. There were many smaller events and locations that gave exposure to the LGBT community in spaces used to socialize, make art, and mobilize.
Each of the buildings included in this list is a designated individual landmark and are protected as historic spaces by virtue of being located in an historic district. Historic designation reports do note an area’s distinction in LGBT history, particularly if the district was designated after the LGBT movement became prominent. The designation of the Stonewall Inn was particularly notable from a social and historical perspective, since it was generally acknowledged that the site was not architecturally or aesthetically distinguished – a clear gesture to landmark the history behind the building.
In honor of Pride Month, we highlight ten notable LGBT landmarks and sites in New York City:
1. Julius’
Julius’ bar, a few blocks away from the Stonewall Inn, identifies itself as the oldest gay bar in New York, though it hasn’t always been a haven for gay people. In 1966 activists staged a “sip-in” to protest harassment from bartenders and their refusal to serve homosexuals. The protest effectively established gay bars in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo recommended Julius’ be added to the State and National Register for Historic Places this year. Julius’ historic significance is not mentioned in the Greenwich Village Historic District designation, which was adopted a few months before the Stonewall Riots.