You might be wondering where to start if you want to learn more about the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people.

There are many other places in the country that have contributed to queer history that are not as well known.

If you want to learn more about the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer community in the US, begin with these seven sites. When key events happened, and where it all went down, you'll get fresh insight into who the main players were.

French Quarter New Orleans Louisiana USA
Dixie's Bar at 701 Bourbon Street  © SuperStock / Alamy Stock Photo

Dixie’s Bar of Music in New Orleans  

In the 50s and 60s, New Orleans had a thriving queer community, and one of the best places to party was the Dixie's Bar. One of the first gay bars in New Orleans was known for drawing in artists and writers from all over the country. In 1962, when the first gay Carnival ball was raided by the police, Miss Dixie took all the cash out of the register and freed everyone out of jail.

The bar was a place where artists could meet up and listen to live music. The painting, which caricatured more than 60 famous musicians from the 1940s, was damaged during the hurricanes. There is a mural at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

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Dr Franklin E Kameny Residence in Washington, D.C.

Gay civil rights were achieved in both the government and medical establishment. The US Civil Service Commission denied federal employment and security clearances to gay people. The American Psychiatric Association definition of homosexuality as a mental illness was one of the reasons for removing homosexuality as a basis for denying security clearances. His home in Washington, DC, has been recognized as a historical residence by the city and is an attraction for those interested in learning more about civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people.

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The Leather Archives and Museum opened in Chicago in 1991 © courtesy of the Leather Archives and Museum

Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago

The Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago was opened in 1991 by Chuck Renslow, who was an openly gay businessman and photographer.

The Leatherbar and A Room of Her Own are two of the queer-friendly exhibitions at the Museum. The archives of Mineshaft, a historic members-only gay leather bar and sex club, can be found at the museum.

The best things to do in Chicago are listed here.

Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in San Francisco

During the HIV/AIDS crisis, this San Francisco parish offered weekly support groups for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer community. The church is a popular place of worship for people who want to be included.

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City Beaches Reopen As New York Heads Towards Phase 3
Queer friendly Jacob Riis Park in the Queens Borough of New York © Bloomberg via Getty Images

Jacob Riis Park in New York City

Riis Beach, also known as Jacob Riis Park, is a popular spot for queer people. Gay people from New York City used to go nude at Riis, which is located on a mile-long section of the Queens peninsula. This area of the beach is one of NYC's popular and diverse LGBTIQ+ public spaces and is a particularly popular go-to during the summer and Pride weekend.

Before you go to New York City, you should be aware of what to expect.

Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde (1934-1992) poses for a photograph in 1983 © Robert Alexander / Getty Images

Audre Lorde’s Residence in New York City

Audre Lorde's house is frequently visited by people who want to learn more about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer culture. Lorde co- founded Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press and spoke at the 1979 National March on Washington for Lesbian while living at this house.

The Audre Lorde Project was built in 1994 to honor Lorde's legacy of speaking out for marginalized groups. There is an "Audre Lorde Way" street sign near Lorde's former home.

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Country's First Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, And Transgender History Museum Opens
Personal possessions of the late San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk are displayed at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender History Museum © Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

GLBT History Museum in San Francisco 

Considered by many to be San Francisco's "queer Smithsonian," the GLBT History Museum maintains an extensive archival collection of materials relating to queer history in the US, with a focus on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer communities of San Francisco and Northern California. There is a museum in the Castro district that shows the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people in the city.

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The first article was published in June of 2020.