Historic Wash West: Gayborhood Walkabout

1315 Spruce St,Philadelphia PA 19107

30 April, 2022

Description

Celebrate the storied history of Wash West's Gayborhood! This tour of Philly’s Gayborhood, given by William Way archivist Bob Skiba, will examine how Center City’s mid-20th century "gay ghetto” became a 21st century inclusive and welcoming neighborhood. We’ll talk about the “Spruce Street Boys” and Philadelphia’s pivotal role in the 60s Homophile Movement. We’ll look for signs of the “Lurid Locust” Street of the 70s and the booming 80s club culture along Walnut and Chestnut Streets. Finally we’ll explore the hidden alleys and side streets of today’s Gayborhood looking for signs of bars, bookstores and queer urban spaces. Walk will end on Camac Street between Spruce and Locust streets. For more conversation, we can end with a drink at a Gayborhood watering hole. Ticket sales benefit the Washington Square ain date Sunday, May 1st at 11am.