Walking Tours of Philadelphia Gayborhood
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GAYBORHOOD 1. Equality Pennslyvania 6. Cobblestone streets 11th and Market and 1211 Chestnut Street Camac Street between Spruce and Pine Streets Founded in 1996, Equality Pennsylvania, located in the Mental Health Take a walk on the cobblestone streets in Philadelphia that add Partnerships building, is a network of individuals and organizations whose goal charm to the city and date back to the 1800s. is to achieve equality for LGBT Pennsylvanians through education, policy, and legislation reform. 7. The Church of St. Luke & the Epiphany 330 S. 13th Street 2. 12th Street Gym; Knock; Washington West Project; WALKING This Episcopal Church is home to various LGBTQ-oriented More Than Just Ice Cream groups, including Dignity Philadelphia (for Catholics), ACT-UP, 1128 Walnut Street, 204 S. 12th Street, 225 S. 12th Street, 1201 and the Pinks and Blues (a peer-run support group for sexual and TOURS OF Locust Street, and 1119 Locust Street gender minorities living with mental illness), and was the first home Serving the Philadelphia community for 18 years, 12th Street Gym boasts a of ActionAIDS, now Pennsylvania’s largest HIV/AIDS service PHILADELPHIA primarily LGBTQ clientele, and has a 22-station circuit and over 60 quality organization. group fitness classes a week. Just down the street, unlike the more lively bars near it in Gayborhood, Knock is a restaurant and bar that serves patrons who 8. The AIDS Fund are looking for a more upscale atmosphere to relax in. § The Washington 1315 Spruce Street, #4 West Project, located at 1201 Locust, is a collaborative health-promotion OVERVIEW: effort among ActionAIDS, the Mazzoni Center, SafeGuards, BEBASHI, The AIDS Fund is an organization that supports HIV/AIDS and the GALAEI Project. To get a dining experience above the ordinary, education, prevention, and services in the Delaware Valley by raising This tour encompasses the Washington West sweet-toothed locals go to More Than Just Ice Cream, a delightful, gay- money and promoting awareness about HIV through a wide range of friendly restaurant and ice cream parlor. events, such as monthly GayBINGO and the “Gayborhood,” the heart of the lesbian, gay, annual AIDS Walk Philly to be held this year on Sunday, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community. 3. Philadelphia Fight October 19, 2014. It features nightclubs, sidewalk cafes, theaters 1233 Locust Street and community centers. Some say the LGBTQ 9. William Way Community Center and Philadelphia Fight on the 5th floor of Sanctuary Yoga and Mindfulness is Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts rights movement began in Philadelphia on July a consortium of physicians and people living with HIV who test potential 4, 1965, when outside of Independence Hall, the treatments for HIV/AIDS and provide services to HIV-affected individuals. 1315 Spruce Street and 300 S. Broad Street first “Annual Reminder” (the 50th anniversary of The William Way Community Center is the home to various social, which is being celebrated in July 2015) was held 4. I-Candy; Tavern on Camac; U Bar political, and support groups for the LGBTQ community. Opened in 1997, WilliamWay sponsors many activities such as Buddhist protesting America’s treatment of gays and lesbians. 254 S. 12th Street, 243 S. Camac Street, 1220 Locust Street meditation, intergenerational activities, and discussion groups, and Since then, the LGBTQ community has become I-Candy is a popular nightclub that attracts a younger crowd looking for a also offers a gallery space for artists and a 10,000-plus volume library integrated with the entire city, but this neighborhood night of dancing. On Fridays, the club is open to ages 18 and up. Tavern on and archive. While on the tour, be on the look-out for the Pride remains its most vital scene. Camac has a long history in Gayborhood – it was originally a rowhouse built and Progress mural located on the west wall! As for the Kimmel in the early 1800s and was then converted into a bar known as Maxine’s in Center, this architectural masterpiece is the home of the Philadelphia the 1920s and then Raffles in the 1980s. Hosting an ever-popular piano bar, Orchestra, as well as Philadanco, the famous African American ballet WHY YOU SHOULD RETURN: people come here to hang out and have a good time. While more low-key company. Watch hip hop dancing, hear classical, world, and jazz than some of the other bars found in Gayborhood, U Bar is the place to be music, or attend one of the many free concerts throughout the year. This lively street scene is active year-round, so you if you’re looking for a smaller environment and laid-back atmosphere with should visit often and support the many LGBTQ-run good conversation. 10. Woody’s businesses. The Gayborhood is usually identified as 202 S. 13th Street being located between Chestnut and Pine streets 5. Giovanni’s Room 345 S. 12th Street Since its opening in 1980, Woody’s has remained an iconic gay bar (north and south) and between 9th and Broad streets in Philadelphia that attracts a diverse crowd with its various theme (east and west). Just look for the rainbow stripe on Since 1973, Giovanni’s Room has been the biggest and best source for nights and always lively dance floor. Its “18 To Enter” Wednesday books, periodicals, and information by, for, and about the LGBT and nights are a draw to all college students in Philadelphia. the bottom of the street signs. women’s communities. Though closed for business in May 2014, it is hoped that Giovanni’s Room will re-open under new ownership soon. Take the Market-Frankford El to 13th Street Stop or the Green Line Trolley to Juniper Street stop. Of additional interest: From http://philadelphia.about.com/od/gayandlesbian Gay Bingo: The wildly popular bingo fundraiser takes place almost every month and benefits the AIDS Fund Philadelphia. Equality Forum: This event is one of the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender symposia and festivals held in late spring. LGBT Pride Parade & Festival: Each June, Philadelphians show their pride with a parade through Center City. Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Theatre Festival: This annual event provides a showcase for new plays, musicals, cabaret, and other performances. QFest: Held each July, it is the largest gay film festival on the East Coast. OutFest Weekend: OutFest, the National Coming Out Day Festival, has grown over the past 14 years into the largest such celebration in the world. See www.phillygaycalendar.com and www.aroundphilly.com for more events information. To get back to Penn, take the #21 or #42 bus, or the 1 Green Line from Market Street to 37th and Spruce streets. Tour developed by Penn’s LGBT Center 2 10 3 300 S. Broad Street 4 9 8 5 6 7 GAYBORHOOD.