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History

All about History on Advocate.com

All about the Mattachine Society, the first enduring U.S. gay rights group

photo gallery Polaroids spanning from 1964 to 1991 documenting Houston male throuple John Jay Hollenburger Arthur Slaughter Gary Grether aka JAG and their social circle

These three gay men began dating in 1970. Here are 50 Polaroid photos from their lives

A collection of over 9,700 Polaroid photos capturing the lives of a historic throuple has been unearthed.

photos from lgbtq friendly US neighborhoods

6 historic gayborhoods you should visit in 2026 that are still thriving

These LGBTQ+ neighborhoods have rich histories — and they're just as vibrant today as they have been in the past.

vintage photo exhibit RENEGADES San Francisco the 1990s original photography by CHLOE SHERMAN

19 photos from 1990s San Francisco show the roots of butch and femme culture

Chloe Sherman's RENEGADES San Francisco: the 1990s showcases the unique history of queer women.

Demonstrators at the Black Cat anniversary rally in 2017

How a police raid sparked L.A.'s Black Cat protests — which predated Stonewall and birthed The Advocate

Angelenos rose up against police brutality at a gay bar in Los Angeles's Silver Lake neighborhood.

Minnesota trans rights protest 2025

How this Minnesota city redefined LGBTQ+ rights 50 years ago

On December 30, 1975, Minneapolis became the first city to adopt this trans-inclusive policy.

An ACT UP protest in New York City

AIDS activist group ACT UP changed the world. Here's why its work still matters today

The direct action group ACT UP was key to the fight against AIDS at the epidemic's height, and its legacy informs present-day activism.

The best LGBTQ+ sites and artifacts to see before you die

The 20+ best LGBTQ+ historic sites and artifacts to add to your bucket list

We recommend Michelangelo's David, the original Pride flag, Stonewall, Dorothy's ruby slippers, and more.

Karla Drenner

Lesbian Georgia legislator, first LGBTQ+ person elected in the South, is still showing up 25 years later

State Rep. Karla Drenner, who was once told she “wasn’t worthy of being known,” reflects on 25 years of being “the first” and why she’s still serving in an interview with The Advocate.

East Wing White House Eleanor Roosevelt at the United Nations

Donald Trump's East Wing demolition trashes First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's queer legacy

Eleanor Roosevelt, who was likely queer, held the first press conference by a first lady in the East Wing, and the wing became a base for her activism.

Roger Casement Chevalier dEon

Playing for both teams: 6 LGBTQ+ spies from history

From the world wars and Red Scare to the fight for Irish independence, here are some queer spies worth knowing.

Grand Marshal Miss Major rides in the 2024 NYC LGBTQIA Pride March

Stonewall vet Miss Major Griffin-Gracy 'surrounded by love' as she enters hospice care

Miss Major has entered hospice care, but "is comfortable and surrounded by love," her partner says.