Centennial Reflections: Iconic NYC Landmarks Rich in LGBTQ+ Historical Significance Commemorated in New Publication
In a meticulously crafted exploration, author Marc Zinaman delves into the significant locales of a century-long LGBTQ+ history in New York City, as chronicled in his new book "Queer Happened Here: 100 Years of NYC's Landmark LGBTQ+ Places." As a New York native, Zinaman provides an enlightening journey through notable establishments, ranging from the city's early bathhouses and balls of the 1920s to the thriving, festive Club Cumming of today.
Published at a time when American politics is actively seeking to erase these vital stories, Zinaman's comprehensive work offers a poignant tribute to the past, present, and future of queer culture, priced at $50 by Prestel.
The project's inception came soon before the pandemic, following Zinaman's fascination with documentaries about Studio 54, which sparked curiosity into lesser-known queer spaces. He subsequently began mapping locations and conducting research, amassing close to 1,000 places of importance to the LGBTQ+ community. Many can be found on Zinaman's Instagram account, named after the book, "Queer_Happened_Here," which also features images and narratives of queer individuals.
Zinaman's work features 69 places, categorized by decade, with explanations of cultural developments and historical background offered for each era. Iconic locations such as The Stonewall Inn and the Christopher Street Piers are included, while the book truly shines in showcasing less-familiar, yet equally significant, venues whose legacies have been less acknowledged. Many of these locales, former bathhouses, clandestine clubs, and bars, exuded a unique blend of queer atmosphere and sensuality, though they now show no remnants of their past.
Incorporating a wide array of images, posters, and ephemera, the book features historical gems like a 1957 promotional poster for a drag show at Club 82 and a 1975 advertisement for The Continental Baths. The works of photography and art talents such as JEB (Joan E Biren) are also showcased in the book, which offers an invaluable archive of life in the LGBTQ+ community, with a particular focus on the experiences of lesbians.
Zinaman's account engages readers with research-backed history and interviews from members of the queer community, including Susanne Bartsch, Robbie Leslie, and everyday folks whose stories are integral to the essence of these venues. The depiction of each location, from clubs and bars to park benches, offers a vivid, immersive experience that effortlessly weaves together historical context, vibrant memories, and personal anecdotes.
"Queer Happened Here" does not shy away from the harsher realities that the LGBTQ+ community faced, such as the Women's House of Detention, which imprisoned numerous queer women and trans-masculine individuals for decades. Additionally, the book covers events of boycotting, homophobia, violence, and raids, as well as the tragic impact of the AIDS crisis.
These painful experiences, as well as those celebrating LGBTQ+ excellence and resilience, form a crucial part of the fabric of the LGBTQ+ community. Whenever you walk down Bleecker Street or sit at the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, you are surrounded by layers upon layers of queer history—a history that deserves recognition, acknowledgment, and preservation.
In a political climate where LGBTQ+ rights and culture face threats, projects like Zinaman's hold immense value and serve as vital acts of reclamation. 'With some interviews remaining incomplete due to unexpected losses within the LGBTQ+ community, and the broader political environment making the work I'm doing feel more crucial than ever, backing up all my content in anticipation of potential censorship or erasure has become essential,' Zinaman explains.
Over the course of approximately 300 pages, the spaces highlighted in "Queer Happened Here" stand as symbolic representatives of the people, events, and life experiences that transpired within them, even as some locations ceased to exist and certain stories are intentionally silenced. "Queer Happened Here: 100 Years of NYC's Landmark LGBTQ+ Places" is available now, published by Prestel Verlag and also from Amazon.co.uk.
The exploration of LGBTQ+ history in New York City, as presented in Marc Zinaman's book "Queer Happened Here," extends beyond traditional establishments to encompass a wide spectrum of lifestyle and culture. This includes not only fashion-and-beauty trends and social-media platforms that have been integral to the queer community but also books, art, and entertainment.
Zinaman's work serves as an invaluable archive, offering a glimpse into the lives of queer individuals through various media, making it a must-read for those interested in fashion-and-beauty, books, social-media, entertainment, and of course, LGBTQ+ history.
