Dewey's Sit-in
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Activists led one of the nation's first LGBT sit-ins here in 1965 after homosexuals were denied service at Dewey's restaurant. Inspired by African American lunch counter sit-ins, this event prompted Dewey's to stop its discriminatory policy, an early victory for LGBT rights.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1965, years before the Stonewall uprising, activists staged one of the nation's first LGBT sit-ins at Dewey's, a Philadelphia restaurant that had refused to serve gay and gender-nonconforming customers. Directly inspired by the African American lunch-counter sit-ins of the civil rights movement, the demonstrators occupied the counter until Dewey's backed down and dropped its discriminatory policy. It was a small, early, and largely forgotten victory in the long struggle for equal treatment.
Why it matters
Dewey's Sit-in shows that organized LGBT resistance in America predates Stonewall and drew directly on the tactics of the Black freedom struggle, linking two civil rights movements at a Philadelphia lunch counter.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bridgette Mayer0.9 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- African American Museum in Philadelphia1.0 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Congress Hall1.0 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell Center1.0 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Independence Hall1.0 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Visitor Center1.0 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- One Liberty Observation Deck0.2 mi away
- The Universal Sphere0.4 mi away
- Reading Terminal0.6 mi away
- Chinatown Friendship Gate0.8 mi away · 10th and Arch Street
- Italian market0.9 mi away · Christian Street
- Liberty Bell1.0 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Food & drink
- Munchie’s Cafe0.8 mi away · 728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philly Pretzel Factory0.8 mi away
- Burger King0.8 mi away
- Fat Salmon0.8 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.8 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Garden0.8 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - Center City0.3 mi away · 219 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City0.3 mi away · 237 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Holiday Inn Express0.4 mi away · 1305-11 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fairfield Inn & Suites0.4 mi away · 261 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Residence Inn Philadelphia Center City0.4 mi away · 1 East Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Alexander Inn0.5 mi away · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
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Related events
- · Dewey's Sit-in of 1965
Themes & tags
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