8. Walt Whitman, 99 Ryerson Street, Brooklyn
Poet Walt Whitman lived with his family in this Brooklyn home. His first poetry collection, Leaves of Grass, was finished and published in 1855. When originally published, several poems regarding homoerotic same-sex love, specifically male-male love, were left out of the book. Later editions included the “Calamus” poems. The collection features many lines of homoerotic passion, like in his poem now dubbed “The Sleepers.” His poetry is incredibly influential and has been featured in recent media like Dead Poets Society and even Breaking Bad. Whitman is one of the best American poets, not only of his time but ever. The Walt Whitman Initiative is fighting to have the Ryerson home landmarked.