Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Historic LGBTQ Site

By Mark Hilton, July 14, 2019

1. Historic LGBTQ Site Marker

Inscription. Oldest continuous LGBTQ gathering place in Kentucky, and among the oldest in the U.S. LGBTQ patrons discreetly congregated here as early as 1939. In 1963 The Gilded Cage bar opened, run by gay men John Hill and Estel Wilson. Patrons enjoyed same sex dancing and drag shows.
Sponsored by Just Fund Education Project, Inc. &
Faulkner-Morgan Archive.
(Reverse)
Renamed The Living Room in 1967. In 1970, site of Marjorie Jones and Tracey Knight wedding, the first lesbian couple in the U.S. to sue for a marriage license. Renamed Johnny Angels in 1978. Site of 1985 sodomy charge against Jeffery Wasson. The case overturned Kentucky’s sodomy law, which helped decriminalize homosexuality in the U.S.

Erected 2018 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2539.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list.

Location. 38° 2.661′ N, 84° 29.692′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 421) and

Historic LGBTQ Site Marker (reverse) image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, July 14, 2019

2. Historic LGBTQ Site Marker (reverse)

Esplanade, on the left when traveling west on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 224 East Main Street, Lexington KY 40507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fairness Ordinance (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Jeffery Wasson (about 400 feet away); Main Street Christian Church (about 500 feet away); Beck House (about 600 feet away); Lewis And Clark In Kentucky (about 800 feet away); Phoenix Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rotary Club of Lexington / Phoenix Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Strength in Numbers / Forcing a Change (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Additional keywords. LGBT LGBTQ

View of marker at 224 Main Street (Brown building on left). image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, July 14, 2019

3. View of marker at 224 Main Street (Brown building on left).

Historic LGBTQ Site (immediate left side) and marker. image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, July 14, 2019

4. Historic LGBTQ Site (immediate left side) and marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.