An apparent little known fact. In 1971 the world's first public Queer Community center opened on an upper loft floor above the music club "Folk City". This in Greenwich Village in lower Manhattan.
I was a Queer youngster in my late teen early twenties then, and used to visit it often.
As I recall it only lasted perhaps a year to 18 months. It had a rough ride. Local churches petitioned the City to close it. Which they eventually did via the usual. Inspections taxes, and strong arming the landlord.
After it was shut down there were various attempts at other centers through the years. Some of radical political bend some just party, and sex havens, and some were idealistic hippie sorts.
The most successful conservative, and stroller pusher friendly being the current one established in the 1990's.
...swell.
The first known Queer Center was however the "Folk City" space. It was early enough back to still have the aura of the Hippie ethnic in a sincere way. We loved it. I still miss it.
Sounds wonderful. Of course they shut it down. Wish I’d been there.
ReplyDeleteHippie is an ethnicity? How do I join up?
Z
Ya clicks ya heels three times, and you're in!
ReplyDelete