When the Founding Fathers established Washington, DC, as a federal territory in 1790, the fledgling government criminalized homosexuality as the British had. A desire for uniformity and a “normalcy” defined by American officials resulted in numerous repressions and segregations through ensuing centuries, targeting those who did not fit into a traditional family structure. The strictness of gender roles and gender identities in the United States, combined with a genuine fear of “divergent” sexual behaviors resulted in a myriad of negative interactions between the general public, the police state, and the emerging LGBTQ+ community.

As the seat of federal power, it is no surprise that Washington, DC, has been a major focal point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and resistance. From protests to lift the ban on gay and lesbian federal workers to those legalizing same-sex marriage, DC has a strong history of activism and community. According to the Williams Institute, DC is currently the gayest city in America with the most LGBTQ+ identifying individuals per capita. DC’s long-standing LGBTQ+ community deserves recognition for making the city a safe space.

This tour is a collection of sites located in the District that have been historically significant to the city’s LBGTQ+ community. Not every site is a designated landmark, yet each location is historically significant. Additionally, some sites are designated, but the official documentation does not include LGBTQ+ history.

Like other marginalized communities with histories of oppression, the LGBTQ+ community’s history is scattered and incomplete, and there are ongoing research efforts to continue adding sites to this digital collection. Due to the criminalization of homosexuality, many archival materials used to create historical accounts are missing (e.g., journals, photographs, and public records).

However, the DC Preservation League is committed to continuing its efforts to document the histories of communities currently underrepresented on the DC Inventory of Historic Sites. If you have information on a site you believe to be historically significant, please contact DCPL’s Community Outreach & Grants Manager, Zachary Burt (zach@dcpreservation.org).

For additional information related to this tour, please see the Historic Context Statement for Washington’s LGBTQ Resources, which can be found here: https://dcpreservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Washington-LGBTQ-Historic-Context-Statement.pdf