The American LGBTQ+ Museum made significant strides towards its long-anticipated opening with a second groundbreaking ceremony held on December 3 in the auditorium of the New-York Historical Society. This event marked a pivotal moment in the museum’s development, which aims to chronicle the diverse experiences and histories of LGBTQ+ communities across America.
Key figures in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and representatives from both the American LGBTQ+ Museum and the New-York Historical Society participated in the ceremony, featuring remarks from American LGBTQ+ Museum executive director Ben Garcia, board chair Richard Burns, and New York Historical president and CEO Louise Mirrer, among others. The event also included a poignant gesture: the donation of a brick from the original facade of the Stonewall Inn, symbolising a connection to important figures in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, such as Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. Garcia stated, “Our intention is to plant that brick in the walls of this new museum as a connection to the spirit of Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, and the countless others who stood up for LGBTQ rights.”
The significance of this groundbreaking follows an initial ceremony in September 2021, where various luminaries, including tennis icon Billie Jean King and Broadway star André De Shields, gathered to commemorate the museum’s inception. The latest ceremony represents the official commencement of construction on this pioneering cultural institution, which will occupy the fourth floor of the New York Historical’s forthcoming Tang Wing for Democracy, an expansion designed to encompass 70,000 square feet.
The programme on December 3 was kickstarted by journalist and trans activist Raquel Willis, who inspired attendees with a mantra affirming personal worth and cultural pride. “I am worthy/ My history is rich/ My culture is mine/ My future is boundless,” Willis urged those present, setting a tone of empowerment and solidarity in the face of contemporary challenges.
Burns, reflecting on his early activism, expressed the museum’s importance, stating, “This museum must be the cultural arm of our movement for queer liberation.” He acknowledged the supportive acknowledgments from public officials, including New York Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul, which he noted have enabled New York to reach this milestone ahead of other American cities.
In his remarks, Garcia contrasted New York City’s welcoming environment with the challenges of establishing similar institutions elsewhere, such as his home state of Ohio. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities presented to him by New York City.
Notable attendees at the ceremony included Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Attorney General Letitia James, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, and Brooklyn Councilmember Crystal Hudson. Additionally, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the nation’s first openly gay cabinet member, shared a pre-recorded message, highlighting the museum’s significance for collective LGBTQ+ legacy and progress.
Set to open its doors in 2027, the museum will feature around 5,000 square feet of gallery space dedicated to a mix of fixed and temporary exhibits. These exhibitions are designed to cover various subjects relevant to LGBTQ+ history and activism in New York City and beyond. Garcia articulated the museum’s mission, saying, “Situating us at the heart of American history shows us the importance of queer history as part of that story.”
The American LGBTQ+ Museum seeks to “preserve, investigate, and celebrate” the narratives of the LGBTQ+ community while also engaging in educational programming across the country, setting a foundation for a vibrant cultural future even before the bricks are laid.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/american-lgbtq-museum-breaks-ground-in-uws – Corroborates the groundbreaking ceremony of the American LGBTQ+ Museum on December 3, 2024, and the involvement of key figures like Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul.
- https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/american-lgbtq-museum-breaks-ground-in-uws – Details the donation of a brick from the original facade of the Stonewall Inn and its significance in connecting to important figures in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
- https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-governor-hochul-delivers-remarks-american-lgbtq-museum – Provides Governor Kathy Hochul’s remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony, highlighting the importance of the museum and New York’s role in the LGBTQ+ movement.
- https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-governor-hochul-delivers-remarks-american-lgbtq-museum – Mentions the attendance and support of various public officials, including Governor Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, at the ceremony.
- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/livestream-building-pride-american-lgbtq-museum-groundbreaking-tickets-1087209676409 – Confirms the date and time of the groundbreaking ceremony and its partnership with the New York Historical Society.
- https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/american-lgbtq-museum-breaks-ground-in-uws – Describes the museum’s mission to chronicle the diverse experiences and histories of LGBTQ+ communities across America and its planned opening in 2027.
- https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/american-lgbtq-museum-breaks-ground-in-uws – Details the museum’s physical space, including 70,000 square feet of space, classrooms, galleries, and a storage facility for the Patricia D. Kingenstein Library.
- https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-governor-hochul-delivers-remarks-american-lgbtq-museum – Highlights the significance of New York as the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ movement and the museum’s role in celebrating this history.
- https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/american-lgbtq-museum-breaks-ground-in-uws – Mentions the participation of notable attendees, including U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who shared a pre-recorded message.
- https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-governor-hochul-delivers-remarks-american-lgbtq-museum – Includes remarks from Governor Hochul emphasizing the importance of acceptance and love in the context of LGBTQ+ rights.
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