Looking to connect with your sapphic ancestors this March?
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/ COLIN PARK
Lesbian history is precious. Across centuries, lesbians were forced to hide, destroy or distort any indication that they were there. And yet, despite the dangers they faced, these lesbian ancestors left us with a vast, rich and diverse history that we’ve been able to celebrate today.
But there’s only so much you can learn from a history book. If you’re looking to connect with the lesbians of yesteryear this Women’s History Month, why not check out some of these key historical lesbian landmarks?
UK
Queer Britain, London
Discover the UK’s first museum dedicated to LGBTQIA+ lives, experiences and culture. With exhibitions diving into everything from iconic club nights like Club Kali to lesbian magazines, it’s the perfect way to learn something new.
Where? 2 Granary Square, King’s Cross, London N1C 4BH
Shibden Hall
What better way to connect with lesbian history than in the home of Anne Lister? The building once housed the UK’s “first modern lesbian”, who broke all conventions and documented it all in her diaries.
Where? Lister’s Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6XG
The Gateways Club
The Gateways Club was the longest-surviving lesbian club in the entire world. Opening in 1931, it became a hub for lesbian life in the 40s and 50s. While the club is no longer running, you can still visit its iconic building and see the special blue plaque commemorating its legacy.
Where? 239 King’s Road, Chelsea, London SW3 5EJ
Plas Newydd
This Welsh historic house has become a pilgrimage for lesbians for centuries. Why? It once housed the Ladies of Llangollen, Lady Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, for five decades. The pair ran away from Ireland and eloped to Wales, where they were visited by everyone from William Wordsworth to Anne Lister.
Where? Hill Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8AW
US
Hull House
Jane Addams was a powerful activist in the 19th century, focusing on social work and reform. In 1889, she co-founded Hull House, one of America’s most famous settlement houses, to provide services to the local community. Throughout her life, she had numerous significant relationships with other women and activists. You can still visit Hull House today, which has now been turned into a museum.
Where? 800 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Stonewall Monument Visitor Center
The Stonewall Uprising of 1969 is arguably one of the most important moments for LGBTQIA+ globally. It catalysed the first Pride and helped mobilise the LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement. You can learn more about this powerful event and connect with the real stories of people who were there at this visitor centre.
Where? 51 Christopher Street, Manhattan, New York City, 10014
Historic Congressional Cemetery’s “Gay Corner”
Visit the grave of Barbara Gittings at this special cemetery. The cemetery has a special section dedicated to burying LGBTQIA+ activists and community leaders like Kay Tobin Lahusen.
Where? 1801 E Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
Pulse Nightclub
You can still visit the location of Pulse Nightclub to pay your respects to the 49 people killed during a mass shooting in 2016. The rainbow crosswalk commemorating those lost was removed under Trump’s administration. The site is expected to be demolished this year to make space for a permanent memorial.
Where? 1912 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida, U.S
World
Spinnboden Archiv, Germany
This cultural project is Europe’s largest and oldest lesbian archive. In May 1973, a lesbian group in Berlin began collecting logs, flyers, posters and more. Soon, the Spinnboden was born. You can also attend events held there which support and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community.
Where? Anklamer Straße 38, 10115, Berlin
La Gata, Germany
This is the oldest still-running lesbian bar in the world, having opened its doors in 1971. Upon entering, you can be transported back to lesbian culture in the 70s – it even has a jukebox!
Where? Seehofstraße 3, 60594 Frankfurt am Main
Homomonument, Netherlands
This memorial sits in the heart of Amsterdam, commemorating the lesbian and gay men who were killed under the Nazi regime. The memorial comprises three pink triangles.
Where? Westermarkt 1, 1016 DK Amsterdam
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