Much of Harlem's gay history is now a cinch to find, thanks to the work of the terrific five-year-old NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project.
This easy-to-navigate online map–its mission is to highlight important LGBT sites across the the city–features 18 locations in Harlem alone.
Each is color-coded by theme, including cultural organizations, performance venues, and residences.
Use it to find places like the Mt. Morris Baths, once the only gay bathhouse in New York to admit Black men; it closed in 2003 and is now the martial arts studio Sword Class NYC.
Or discover the exact spot where Ali Forney–a homeless, gender nonconforming Black youth–was killed. His murder eventually led to the founding of the Ali Forney Center, a shelter dedicated to helping others like him.
The interactive map includes some surprises such as the Hamilton Grange, founding father Alexander Hamilton’s historic home.
According to the project, young Hamilton wrote "a series of passionate letters" to John Laurens, a fellow soldier.
A sample line: "I wish, my Dear Laurens, it might be in my power, by action rather than words, [to] convince you that I love you. I shall only tell you that 'til you bade us Adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you."
New LGBT sites are continuously being documented and added to the site, so stay tuned.
