The past 10 years have seen a wealth of progress for the local LGBT community, as it gains visibility and influence within Philadelphia and beyond.
Philadelphia’s position as a bastion of LGBT history was solidified in 2005 when the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved the placement of the Gay Pioneers Historical Marker at Sixth and Chestnut streets, which tells of the 1960s Annual Reminder protests.
The Gayborhood also received its own boost with the April 2007 installation of 36 rainbow street signs. The initiative was spearheaded by the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus and supported by the city and, since 2007, an additional 32 signs have been put in place.
Also elevating the city’s place as an LGBT tourist destination, Philadelphia hosted the 2010 U.S. Mr. Gay competition in November, and the city won the bid for the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America’s World Series in August 2011.
Within the city, the LGBT community has also seen extensive growth.
The transgender and ally community came together to organize the first Transgender Health Conference in 2002, which has gained national prominence. LGBT health facility Mazzoni Center expanded its reach in 2008 with the launch of the LGBT Family and Community Medicine primary-care practice.
The community’s financial infrastructure saw a boon with the 2002 launch of LGBT grantmaking agency Sapphire Fund, while the business community launched LGBT chamber of commerce Independence Business Alliance in 2007.
In 2008, Mayor Michael Nutter hired the city’s first director of LGBT affairs, Gloria Casarez, to provide direct outreach to the LGBT community.
The local LGBT sports scene gained momentum with the launch of the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League, Gryphons Rugby and Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association. And the community saw inclusion in mainstream sports with the start of Gay Community Nights at the Philadelphia Phillies, 76ers and Flyers.
— Jen Colletta