Giovanni's Room
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Founded in 1973, the bookstore served as a refuge and cultural center at the onset of the modern lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil-rights movement. The store provided resources to those working to gain legal rights for LGBT people.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
When Giovanni's Room opened in Philadelphia in 1973, being openly gay could still cost a person their job, home, or safety. The bookstore became far more than a place to buy books — it was a gathering spot, a source of hard-to-find resources, and a refuge for a community just beginning to organize. As one of the nation's oldest LGBT bookstores, it stood at the dawn of the modern movement for gay and lesbian civil rights.
Why it matters
Giovanni's Room shows how bookstores and cultural spaces anchored the early LGBT rights movement, giving a marginalized community the connection and information it needed to fight for legal equality.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bridgette Mayer0.5 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Congress Hall0.6 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Hall0.7 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell Center0.7 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Philosophical Hall0.7 mi away · PA
- Old City Hall0.7 mi away · Philadelphia
Attractions
- Italian market0.5 mi away · Christian Street
- Reading Terminal0.6 mi away
- One Liberty Observation Deck0.6 mi away
- Chinatown Friendship Gate0.7 mi away · 10th and Arch Street
- Liberty Bell0.7 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.7 mi away
Food & drink
- Talula's Garden0.4 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.4 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.5 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.5 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.5 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Munchie’s Cafe0.5 mi away · 728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Alexander Innnearby · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
- Fairfield Inn & Suites0.1 mi away · 261 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City0.3 mi away · 237 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - Center City0.3 mi away · 219 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Holiday Inn Express0.3 mi away · 1305-11 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Morris House Hotel0.4 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related events
- · LGBT civil-rights movement
Themes & tags
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