Gay neighborhood in washington dc

U Street, a Dwelling to the LGBTQ Community in DC

Situated in the Northwestern part of Washington, D.C. is an area known as the U Street Corridor. It’s sometimes referred to as Cardozo or as the Cardozo/Shaw district, too. This area is a residential and commercial neighborhood that is made up of nine blocks of U Street, starting at NW 9^th and ending at NW 18^th street. It’s bordered on the north by Florida Avenue NW and by S Street NW on the south. The area has gone through a number of major changes over the years, but today it’s considered an ethnically diverse neighborhood that’s place to a thriving LGBTQ community.

U Street’s Beginning

The neighborhood was originally developed in the s. Many of the homes were done in the Victorian style, and most are not considered historic. These row houses were built adv to house a growing population after the U.S. Civil War. During that time, the government was growing fairly quickly, and many more people were needed in the D.C. area than ever before.

During the s, the area became the center of Washington’s African American communit

Prior to

Leading up to the LGBT community faced a number of discriminatory acts from federal and local government. Congress passed a law outlawing sodomy in D.C. Under the Lavender Scare the federal government fired gay individuals en masse.

Despite this, there were a number of LGBT spaces across D.C. to provide community and support. , one of D.C.'s longest continuously operating gay bars and one of the oldest African-American gay bars in the region, opened in

These weren't wholly safe places, however. were both raided by the Metropolitan Police Department's Vice Squad.

The '60s

LGBT activism moved more to the public forefront starting in the s. The Mattachine Society of Washington, which assisted federal employees and residents targeted for their sexuality, was formed. The Washington Blade, America’s oldest LGBT newspaper, began in More clubs, publications, and services catered directly to the LGBT community.

Barracks Row became an important part of the LGBT community. was the 'first gay-owned bar to offer same-sex dancing', essentially breaking the owner ban on da

The value that places like Pitchers possess cannot be overstated. Although LGBTQ Washingtonians are often comfortable living anywhere in the town, there are only a handful of locations in which people can truly, and openly, articulate their queer identity. Indiana Bones is a drag queen based in D.C. Originally from Virginia, Bones was raised in Maryland and has performed in the city for almost four years. For Bones, reflecting on her possess experience coming out in a conservative, Catholic, Latino household, gay bars provide queer people with an inclusive environment that they often lack during their coming out process. “Being here, you get a sigh of relief, you can actually breathe in and be like, ‘Oh my God, I am being myself. I am being adj. I am loving who I am,’” Bones said. The social scene, particularly among gay bars, is heavily diverse. Most establishments, Pitchers included, are not LGBTQ exclusive, and accept straight patronage. KC B. Yoncé, another drag performer and native Washingtonian, recognized the commercialization of the queer nightlife. Although gay bars

Washington, D.C.: A Bold and Passionate LGBTQ Community

Washington, D.C. was birthed after the American Revolution and the city is no stranger to change. It has a large vocal LGBTQ population that knows how to be both glam and conservative. This gives the gay community a bit of an edge that makes for an exciting local lifestyle.

A Short History of D.C.

The capital of the United States has a long-standing history of acceptance and inclusion. The Constitution calls for Congress to have exclusive jurisdiction over its possess federal district. The signing of the Residence Act in approved the formation of the capital district along the Potomac River.

Today, Washington D.C. is the 20^th most populous city in the United States, with the country’s 6^th largest metropolitan area. More importantly, the large LGBTQ population is passionate about fighting for equal rights and creating a place that’s representative of the entire nation.

Quick Stats on The Capitol

Washington, D.C. is not a part of any U.S. state.
As of July , the estimated population of D.C. is ,
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