Lavender Lanes

Baltimore Heritage made history today launching Spring 2012 Baltimore By Foot Tours with Creating the Movement: Baltimore’s Early LGBT History in Charles Village.

Beginning along East 31st Street, the tour stopped on Greenmount Avenue, 32nd Street, Brentwood Avenue, Barclay Street, Abell Avenue, St Paul Street, Charles Street, Calvert Street and 25th Street.

Speakers talked about lesbian and gay history unfolding along the way at the 31st Street Women’s Bookstore, Peoples Free Health Clinic, 43rd District Headquarters of Delegates Maggie McIntosh & Mary Washington, private homes of Jim Becker and of Gail Vivino, Gay Life & Alternative newspaper offices, Diana Press, gay and lesbian community centers and gay pride block parties, festivals & parades.

Richard Oloizia, Lou Hughes and Shirley Parry described movements they helped create, lead and/or participate in after the Stonewall Riots of 1969 - alternative culture, political action, health and social institutions - as they happened in Charles Village & Waverly of the 1970s and 1980s and how they were celebrated in Wyman Park Dell.

Today Baltimore Heritage brought much rich, hidden history to life, connecting it to significant village spaces and residents who came out fighting for civil rights and creating community. Johns Hopkins and Phil Lovett promise more LGBT city history in the future.