Barbara Gittings (1932-2007)
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Known as the mother of the LGBT civil rights movement, Gittings, who lived here, edited The Ladder, the first wide-spread lesbian journal. She led initiatives to promote LGBT literature in libraries and to remove homosexuality's classification as a mental illness.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
From this Philadelphia address, Barbara Gittings helped build the modern movement for gay and lesbian rights in the decades after World War II. She edited The Ladder, an early and widely circulated lesbian magazine, and pushed libraries to stock LGBT literature. Her most consequential campaign helped persuade the American Psychiatric Association to stop classifying homosexuality as a mental illness in 1973.
Why it matters
Gittings is remembered as a founding figure of LGBT civil rights, whose organizing changed how medicine, libraries, and the wider public regarded gay Americans.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bridgette Mayer1.2 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- African American Museum in Philadelphia1.3 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Congress Hall1.3 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell Center1.4 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Independence Hall1.4 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Visitor Center1.4 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- One Liberty Observation Deck0.5 mi away
- The Universal Sphere0.5 mi away
- Reading Terminal0.9 mi away
- Rocky Steps1.1 mi away
- Chinatown Friendship Gate1.1 mi away · 10th and Arch Street
- Italian market1.2 mi away · Christian Street
Food & drink
- Munchie’s Cafe1.2 mi away · 728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philly Pretzel Factory1.2 mi away
- Burger King1.2 mi away
- Fat Salmon1.2 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily1.2 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Garden1.2 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City0.6 mi away · 237 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - Center City0.6 mi away · 219 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Holiday Inn Express0.7 mi away · 1305-11 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fairfield Inn & Suites0.7 mi away · 261 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Residence Inn Philadelphia Center City0.8 mi away · 1 East Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA
- The Notary Hotel0.8 mi away · 21 North Juniper Street, Philadelphia
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Related people
- · Barbara Gittings
Themes & tags
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