2022 Historic Place Survey: Raleigh LGBTQIA+ Community

The Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC) is preparing a historic context report to identify places important to LGBTQIA+ culture in Raleigh.

The report will include:

A short history of Raleigh's LGBTQIA+ communities.
A list of significant historic places (both existing and lost).
Recommendations for buildings and sites that are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

To help us identify these places, we need to hear from you! Tell us about all the historic places and stories where LGBTQIA+ people gathered, met, celebrated, loved, and lived in Raleigh.

Many thanks to everyone who participated in our October 2021 survey. We have shared your responses with the project consultant. If you would like to share additional information, we invite you to complete this updated survey with expanded questions which is open through August 31, 2022.

Thank you for your interest in the study! If you would like to share additional information, or if you know of someone that would like to privately share information, please contact the project consultant directly. Contact information is available on the LGBTQIA+ Historic Context Study project webpage.

Please provide any names or addresses of LGBTQIA+ owned, operated, frequented, or friendly gathering spaces (private residences, churches, bars, restaurants, social clubs, community centers, theaters, parks, streets, etc.) in Raleigh.

Closed for Comments

Flex (frequented), Legends (frequented), Ruby Deluxe (frequented), Wicked Witch (frequented), Nash Square (gathering space), all Ashely C. restaurants (owned), LGBT Center of Raleigh (community center).

Reply 6 Agree2 years ago

The Green Monkey

Reply 5 Agree2 years ago

Michelle TopalI will answer all of the questions here, since the info doesn’t fit neatly into the different questions below.

TCW (Triangle Community Works) was the organization formed in the late 80’s/early 90s to start the first LGBTQ Center and programming in the Triangle (eventually...See More

Reply 2 Agree2 years ago

Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park (owned)

Reply 2 Agree2 years ago

willieat the following web address, https://www.ncpedia.org/listening-to-history/wilkerson-annie, and https://www.wral.com/nc-women-s-history-dr-annie-louise-wilkerson-broke-barriers-to-civil-rights-in-modern-medicine/19554287/, one will learn the life of this incredible Lesbian who w...See More

Agree2 years ago

W. HigginsThe Mousetrap bar at Five Points (next to the Rialto), the Rialto (for queer/indie films), the YWCA on Oberlin for womyn’s music concerts, The Sperry Building (Capital Corral owner Art Sperry’s HQ for his ad agency, Sperry & Assoc., also home to The Front Page), White Rabbit ...See More

Reply 1 Agree2 years ago

I believe The Mousetrap (the women's bar-duh) was later just called Glenwood's, it, as well as CC's (Capital Corral- mostly men) were "private clubs".
i also remember a little "book/video store " near CC's. no idea the name, but it must've been in an old bank building because...See More

Agree2 years ago

This location is also where Art Sperry and his business/organization also worked for Jessie Helms and other Congressional Club people who actively worked against Gay People.

Agree2 years ago

Please provide any existing or lost gathering spaces as mentioned above that existed or operated in Raleigh prior to 1990.

Closed for Comments

Harrelson Hall - a circular building at NC State. It has since been torn down. The restrooms there often had cruising.

Reply Agree2 years ago

Mark HerdHoney Bee?
I was a friend in Raleigh with Karl, aka “Raleigh Boy” for 45 years. I have also lived in NYC since 1979. A lot of my friends from that early 70’s time period, most were in college, were living in Boylan Heights around Dupont Circle and Boylan Avenue. The rents back...See More

Reply Agree2 years ago

Tyler Bing-LawsonSt. John's MCC has been a LGBTQIA+ affirming church. They have had multiple locations near Glenwood South, the NC farmer's market, and Moore Square.

Reply Agree2 years ago

The men's bathroom at the old North Hills Mall. Guys would park in the back parking lot, go in the Mall and meet in the bathroom. Finally the Mall just took the door off the bathroom in about 1977.

Reply Agree2 years ago

Please provide any names or addresses of other places, events, or known people in Raleigh that are important to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Closed for Comments

People - Lia Clay Miller (nee Lia Haley Clay) (fashion/editorial photographer), Jacob Tobia (activist and writer)

Reply Agree2 years ago

Please provide any names or addresses of other places, events, or known people in Raleigh that are/were important to the LGBTQIA+ community prior to 1990.

Closed for Comments

Vance HaywoodSt. John’s metropolitan community church. Founded in 1976. The Rev Willie White and his partner Robert Pace (an interacial gay couple) held a bible study for LGBTQ+ people in their studio apartment at 900 W Morgan St. This study formed the church. The churches first owned locati...See More

Reply Agree2 years ago

We are deliberately trying to be more inclusive and reflective of Raleigh's diverse peoples and places. Please provide any places, events, stories, and known people in Raleigh that are/were important to women, communities of color, and non-gender conforming groups within the LGBTQIA+ communities prior to 1990.

Closed for Comments

Please provide any important places, events, or known people in Raleigh that are/were important to LGBTQIA+ culture prior to 1990 that we should research but aren't included in the above questions.

Closed for Comments

Do you know anyone that would be a good potential candidate for an oral history interview on the history of Raleigh's LGBTQIA+ community and places?

Closed for Comments

willieWillie D. Pilkington of Raleigh ... you already have his contact information

Reply 1 Agree2 years ago

Please help us identify places that existed prior to 1990 by dropping a pin and commenting on the map (including a street address is encouraged). If you can't remember the location, post your description of the place and approximate area in the comment box below the map.

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2022 Historic Place Survey: Raleigh LGBTQIA+ Community

2022 Historic Place Survey: Raleigh LGBTQIA+ Community

Question title

Please provide any names or addresses of LGBTQIA+ owned, operated, frequented, or friendly gathering spaces (private residences, churches, bars, restaurants, social clubs, community centers, theaters, parks, streets, etc.) in Raleigh.

Question title

Please provide any existing or lost gathering spaces as mentioned above that existed or operated in Raleigh prior to 1990.

Question title

Please provide any names or addresses of other places, events, or known people in Raleigh that are important to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Question title

Please provide any names or addresses of other places, events, or known people in Raleigh that are/were important to the LGBTQIA+ community prior to 1990.

Question title

Question title

Please provide any important places, events, or known people in Raleigh that are/were important to LGBTQIA+ culture prior to 1990 that we should research but aren't included in the above questions.

Question title

Do you know anyone that would be a good potential candidate for an oral history interview on the history of Raleigh's LGBTQIA+ community and places?

Question title

Please help us identify places that existed prior to 1990 by dropping a pin and commenting on the map (including a street address is encouraged). If you can't remember the location, post your description of the place and approximate area in the comment box below the map.