Over 50 years ago, a watershed moment occurred in NYC for the gay community. Police raids on gay bars were routine in the 1960s, officers quickly lost control of the situation at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich neighborhood of Lower Manhattan on June 28, 1969. The Stonewall uprising was a milestone in the quest for LGBTQ+ civil rights and provided momentum for a movement.
A year later, to mark the anniversary, marches started in NYC, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. Now promoted by cities as tourist events, bringing in millions of visitors to popular gay pride events, which has spread around the world to many more cities. The Stonewall National Monument was established at the site in 2016. Stonewall National Monument is a 7.7-acre U.S. national monument in the West Village neighborhood of Greenwich Village in Lower Manhattan located in Christopher Park.
The West Village has a long history with NYC’s gay community and hosts, Henrietta Hudson, thriving for over 30 years a long-running lesbian hangout for drinks, shooting pool & dancing. In the 90’s many people moved to the Chelsea neighborhood as a cheaper alternative to the Greenwich Village neighborhood. As a result of the movement, house prices in Chelsea have increased dramatically to rival the West Village area of Greenwich Village. It has become a focal point of the social scene. The Christopher Street area of the West Village continues to be a cultural center for the LGBTQ community.
Young people are attracted to the urban gay meccas for whatever personal reasons but the cost of pricey real estate is not always conducive to their budgets. The expansion to Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen is a natural expansion for couples in the city. Connecting with an LGBTQ friendly realtor that knows the in’s and out’s of neighborhoods can’t be understated.
People want to feel safe where they live and “strength in numbers” mentality applies to the LGBTQ community, as well as other minorities. Popular locations Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen have built up community with business owners, for nightlife, restaurants and other businesses that cater to the LGBTQ community. Popular gay bars in the area include REBAR, Gym Sportsbar, Eagle NYC ‘leather and denim’, Barracuda, Elmo bar and restaurant as well as many others. Rise on 9th offers a modern, brick-lined gay bar for cocktails & entertainment from drag shows to karaoke nights. VERS on 9th serves craft cocktails, elevated bar snacks, brunch on Sat. and Sun. afternoons and unique entertainment in a beautifully designed space in the gayborhood of Hell’s Kitchen.
A very high percentage of NYC residents rent their homes and the cost is approx. three times the national average. Many people looks to condos as a less expensive alternative to the prices for a home.
Many well known organizations are hosted in Chelsea including GLAAD, GLSEN, SAGE “helping older LGBTQ+ people live healthier and happier lives since 1978”. As well as, LGBT health organizations, resources and services. NY state has discrimination protections in housing, credit, education, employment, public accommodation, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.
