LGBT culture in Boston

Boston gay pride march, held annually in June

History

The nation's first openly gay state representative, Elaine Noble, was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1974.[1] Boston is the birthplace to the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD).[2] Due in part to actions in Boston, especially by prominent city government officials, Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.

"Gayborhoods"

In Boston proper, there are several neighborhoods with sizable LGBT populations, with the South End being one of the most notable.[3] Other areas with high LGBT populations include Jones Hill, the Savin Hill and Melville Park areas of Dorchester,[3] and Jamaica Plain.[4]

Bars and entertainment

Boston has a handful of permanent LGBT establishments including Club Café, The Alley, Cathedral Station, Boston Eagle, dbar, Blend (formerly Peggy O'Neil's) and Trophy Room (formerly the Fritz[5][6]). Boston also plays host to several scheduled and rotating event calendars. These include "gay nights" at regularly "straight establishments" hosted by promoters such as Gay Mafia Boston (formerly known as Chris Harris Presents), Jim Murray Events and The Welcoming Committee.

The city's annual Pride Parade is large and well attended with an estimated 25,000 marchers in 2014.[7] In addition to the parade, the Boston Pride Committee schedules a full week of events to celebrate the community's diversity and social progress.

Former Bars

See also: Homosocialization

Noteworthy LGBT organizations

Fenway Health

Founded as the "Fenway Community Health Center" in 1971, Fenway Health has evolved to become a national contributor in the research of health issues particularly concerning the LGBT community.[9] Fenway Health's mission is to "enhance the wellbeing of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and all people in our neighborhoods and beyond through access to the highest quality health care, education, research and advocacy."[10]

The Fenway Institute is a research organization dedicated to "research, training, education, and policy development, focusing on national and international health issues." They focus largely on supporting those with AIDS/HIV health problems.[11]

The Welcoming Committee

The Welcoming Committee is a social outreach organization founded in Boston in 2007[12] that promotes "takeover" events, where the organization advertises "typically straight" events and establishments for the LGBT community to attend. The most frequently occurring events are their monthly Guerrilla Queer Bar (GQB) and Flannel Takeover Company (FTC). They also have takeover trips to casino resorts, ski mountains, and cruises. The Welcoming Committee is expanding to other cities as well, which already include Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

Boston Gay Men's Chorus

The Boston Gay Men's Chorus is a group of vocalists located in Boston, Massachusetts.[13] The group currently has over 200 members and has been directed by Conductor Reuben Reynolds for over 20 years.[14] The group is heard by over 10,000 audience members per season and has performed across the globe.[13] The chorus performs songs from a wide variety of genres and song selections are always "hopeful and optimistic." The chorus has had over 1,600 members during its history and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall, and Jordan Hall.[15]

The History Project

Founded in 1980, The History Project is a Boston-based, volunteer-run community LGBTQ archive.[16] Its archives house over 150 collections from organizations and individuals and more than one million items, making it one of the largest independent LGBTQ archives in the United States. In 1996, The History Project opened an exhibition of pre-Stonewall LGBTQ history at the Boston Public Library, entitled Public Faces/Private Lives. The History Project continues to regularly host events for the public, including its online exhibitions and Out of the Archives presentation series.[17]

References
  1. http://www.metroweekly.com/2007/10/noble-woman/
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-11-23. Retrieved 2014-06-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2014-06-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. http://www.autostraddle.com/queer-girl-city-guide-boston-ma-135800/
  5. https://bosguy.com/2013/10/16/farewell-to-fritz/
  6. https://trophyroomboston.com/
  7. http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/06/14/thousands-march-in-2014-boston-pride-parade/
  8. https://www.facebook.com/ParadiseinCambridge/
  9. http://www.fenwayhealth.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FCHC_abt_about_history
  10. http://www.fenwayhealth.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FCHC_abt_about_home
  11. http://thefenwayinstitute.org/about/
  12. http://thewelcomingcommittee.com/gqb
  13. "About". Boston Gay Men's Chorus. 2018-04-16. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  14. Madonna, Zoe. "Boston Gay Men's Chorus carries hopeful tune to South Africa". The Boston Globe.
  15. "Boston Gay Men's Chorus ED talks up 'one of our most unique musical experiences to date' - Bay Windows". baywindows.com. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  16. "How Boston powered the gay rights movement". Boston Globe. 2013-06-02. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  17. "About". The History Project. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
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