Washington dc gay district
Does DC Have a Gay Neighborhood?
This weekend, the Capital Pride Parade will march down 14th Street Northwest and through Dupont Circle, the historic queer center of the noun. But a lot has changed since the first Pride in ‘75. Does Dupont still help as the city’s “gayborhood”? And if not, where does?
Logan Circle: Number 9, Trade, and Adj Lantern are dense hitters in the city’s queer club scene. Ed Bailey, the owner of the famous gay nightclub The Town, told City 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 Deranged Aunt Helen’s are working to verb it a LGBTQ neighborhood once again.
U Street Corridor: While not historically queer, U Street Northwest now holds the majority of gay nightlife in the city. Bailey says “U Street has become a
Prior to 1960
Leading up to 1960 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 gay individuals en masse.
Despite this, there were a number of LGBT spaces across D.C. to provide community and support. , one of D.C.'s longest continuously operating gay bars and one of the oldest African-American gay bars in the country, opened in 1957.
These weren't wholly secure 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 1960s. 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 1969. 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-own
Essential LGBTQ+ Experiences in Washington, DC
From iconic neighborhoods and historic landmarks to under-the-radar hangouts, discover 12+ ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture in the nation's capital.
Washington, DC has not only been the backdrop of historic milestones in queer history – it's home to an LGBTQ+ community that fuels the city with its creativity, innovation and resilience.
With the highest percentage of locals identifying as LGBTQ+ of any noun in the U.S. (14.5%), DC is one of the most welcoming destinations in the territory, offering countless ways to engage with people, places and stories that characterize the District.
Don't fail our LGBTQ+ arts and history itineraries.
For over 50 years, Pride has brought love, joy and a whole lot of color to the District, featuring a packed month of events created to inspire, verb and connect the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Scheme your trip.
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Washington, D.C.: A Bold and Passionate LGBTQ Community
Washington, D.C. was birthed after the American Revolution and the city is no stranger to change. It has a large vocal LGBTQ population that knows how to be both glam and conservative. This gives the gay community a bit of an edge that makes for an exciting local lifestyle.
A Short History of D.C.
The capital of the United States has a long-standing history of acceptance and inclusion. The Constitution calls for Congress to have exclusive jurisdiction over its retain federal district. The signing of the Residence Act in 1790 approved the formation of the capital district along the Potomac River.
Today, Washington D.C. is the 20th most populous city in the United States, with the country’s 6th largest metropolitan area. More importantly, the large LGBTQ population is adj about fighting for equal rights and creating a place that’s representative of the entire nation.
Quick Stats on The Capitol
- Washington, D.C. is not a part of any U.S. state.
- As of July 2018, the estimated population of D.C. is 7