Saturday, May 4, 2019 – 3pm

WALK LEADER: Bob Skiba, Archivist of the William Way LGBT Community Center
MEETING PLACE: Lobby of the William Way Community Center (1315 Spruce St)
Free. All are welcome. Rain or shine.

This tour of Philly’s Gayborhood will examine how Center City’s mid-20th century “gay ghetto” became a 21st century inclusive and welcoming neighborhood. We’ll talk about the “Spruce Street Boys” and Philadelphia’s pivotal role in the 60s Homophile Movement. We’ll look for signs of the “Lurid Locust” Street of the 70s and the booming 80s club culture along Walnut and Chestnut Streets. Finally we’ll explore the hidden alleys and side streets of today’s Gayborhood looking for signs of bars, bookstores and queer urban spaces. Walk will end on Camac Street between Spruce and Locust streets. For more conversation, we can end with a drink at a Gayborhood watering hole.

Walk notes:

  • Accessibility considerations: An easy, relaxed paced walk in a three block radius.
  • Dogs welcome.
  • Approximate duration: 2 hours

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