From historic gay bars to queer churches, celebrate these LGBTQ+ businesses and landmarks in the South.
NYC ’s Stonewall , The Black Cat in Los Angeles , the humanity ’s first officialtransgender district in San Francisco — these are the pillar of LGBTQ+ history that most recognize . But a fiddling further to the south , penis of the queer community have been making waves and bear on for societal advancement for generations as well . Many people might not know that the South is abode to some of theoldest brave bars in the countryand the largest LGBTQ+ museum in the US , but these site are crucial reminders of how far we ’ve come and all the work that ’s left to do .
So on your next stumble to the southern part of the country , add some LGBTQ+ account to your path . Historic fagot spaces in the South start the gamut — from out - and - proud fetishware bars in Atlanta to churches that are devoted to process LGBTQ+ patron in Dallas — and are must - visit spot to understand just how queer the neighborhood can be .
Atlanta Eagle
Atlanta , GeorgiaThis legendary leather bar wasofficially declareda watershed in 2020 , becoming the first queer space in the Southeast with a historical appellation . Then another wave of COVID collision . The Atlanta Eagle has long been a gathering place for exploring leather polish and other fetishware in a rough - around - the - border dive bar atmosphere . So local eagerly await for a reopening announcement after the pandemic - fueled closure . Instead , after two eld , the Atlanta Eagle announce it ’d be proceed to a raw space in the Midtown locality . The bar has transported its inclusive and pose - back vibe to its new digs , and it remains a safe space for Atlanta ’s LGBTQ+ community to come together without judgement . It has the same bumpin ’ dance floor , puff performances , and karaoke nights that made the spot a local favorite for decades . Oh , and of course there ’s a unbendable swath of bear outfitted in harnesses , straps , and all things leather that also trace a gang . — Liz Provencher
Cafe Lafitte in Exile
New Orleans , LouisianaOpen since 1933 , Cafe Lafitte in Exile is the old unendingly work queer legal profession in the US ( or so it says , a few other bars make the same title ) . irrespective of whether it ’s in the number one spot , this 90 - twelvemonth - one-time tearing gob is steeped in history and has hosted the likes of Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote over its several decade run . The iconic measure is located in a turning point pile off New Orleans ’ Bourbon Street and has dwell its comfortable , two - story spot since 1953 . Prior to that , it was house in Lafitte ’s Blacksmith Shop , a weathered 18th - century landmark just a few business firm down , where it was just named Cafe Lafitte — the “ in Exile ” suffix came later when it was impel to move down the street . These day , the historic bar is open 24/7 , receive LGBTQ+ reveler to the laid - back first floor , where you’re able to dart pool and hang out , and the 2nd account , with cheerful music and a balcony where you’re able to let your pilus down until curfew . — Thuc Doan Nguyen
Cathedral of Hope
Dallas , TexasThe queer community and religious organisation rarely make headlines for their adoring relationship with one another — particularly in Texas , where lawmakers laugh at the constitutional construct of separation of church service and state . Yet the largest LGBTQ+-welcoming fold in the commonwealth is in Dallas . Cathedral of Hope , establish in the Oak Lawn neck of the woods in 1970 , shine as an example of toleration and love in the Christian organized religion . A congregation of the United Church of Christ , Cathedral of Hope proudly welcomes worshippers of all races , heathenish background , ages , sexual orientation , and gender identities to celebrate the spirit of faith in both English and Spanish . Another high spot : the architecturally magnificent Interfaith Peace Chapel , contrive by honour - get ahead gay designer Philip Johnson . The hallowed space leave the backcloth for many of the church building ’s small group , as well as hymeneals , memorial service , and other special events . — Steven Lindsey
Oilcan Harry’s
Austin , TexasIn the other nineties , Austin did n’t have a weird repute . As Texas ’s capital , it was anything but offbeat . And it did n’t loudly embrace its LGBTQ+ folk quite yet . So Fourth Street became a place where the then - humble - sized queer community could gather , and where cake like Oilcan Harry ’s offer a safe shelter for them to mix and mingle . Over time the tearing hole evolve , outlast its neighbors thanks to an inclusive ethos . While many gay bars host drag shows , Oilcan Harry ’s invests the most in the art form . That ’s why it ’s where stars are born — and whereRuPaul ’s Drag Racealumni know they must stop on tour . After 33 years of jubilee and joy , Oilcan Harry ’s will temporarily move while Fourth Street is remodeled as part of Austin ’s whip - fast growth . But this is n’t the ending for the metropolis ’s longest - run gay bar . It will retrovert , under a new letting , in the exact same blot , where queens , faggot , and ally can gather once again . — James Wong
Seahorse Inn
Port Aransas , TXBeachside hotels dot a tenacious sandy spit of body politic in between Corpus Christi Bay and the Gulf of Mexico . Among them was the Seahorse Inn ( nowBelles Sea Inn ) , which preside atop a sand dune in Port Aransas for decades . The dress shop hotel was build by Jack Cobb in 1956 , and through the ’ 90s this smartly designed place , with its mid - century aesthetic , served as a hidden retreat for mass to relax — in more ways than one . It was a place where those who lived on the fringe came to be themselves . braw men and charwoman , Democrats , and allies would have party that went from the hotel to the beach , where some would sunbathe in the nude . As much as this getaway was create for recreation and leisure , it doubled as a hotspot for activism and art , political science and pride , campaigns and community — it all intertwined at the Seahorse Inn once upon a sentence . Today , you could still savor in the original architecture and hear storey of yore from the current owners who plan to bring back the retro pool saloon and other minute from the inn ’s copious past . — Rosin Saez
World AIDS Museum
Fort Lauderdale , FloridaAs Florida ’s wraith of redness seems to deepen by the twenty-four hours , LGBTQ+ havens in the state become even more important . None more so than Wilton Manors , a surprisingly funny mecca , and its neighboring city of Fort Lauderdale . Wilton manor one of the most welcoming , open - minded communities in the nation . It was the first municipality in Florida to elect an entirely LGBTQ+ commission and is domicile to innumerable Pride Month celebrations , poof - owned businesses , and historic sites . Most notably , the metropolis is close to the universe ’s foremost museum dedicate to queer history , include the World AIDS Museum . It ’s the first - ever institution dedicated to the account of the HIV / AIDS epidemic and aims to extenuate the die hard stain by share first - person accounts and on-going educational programming . The museum regularly update its exhibitions , but highlighting admit an educational smell at the history of AIDS and a 55 - ton AIDS Memorial Quilt , constructed of more than 48,000 tribute panels to those who have passed . It ’s so massive that it is seldom exhibit in its entirety . — LP
Photos courtesy of Oilcan Harry’s, Atlanta Eagle, and Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Photo by Zack Smith
Photo courtesy of Oilcan Harry’s
