William Penn Annex West in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Gloria Casarez

(1971-2014)

Photographed by N Giovannucci, December 30, 2021

1. Gloria Casarez (1971-2014) Marker

Inscription. Latina lesbian civil rights leader Casarez started her career as an activist fighting for economic justice, welfare rights, and affordable housing. She led the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative, developing nationally recognized programs serving men of color and transgender people. She was appointed Philadelphia's first director of LGBT Affairs. Under her leadership, the city adopted the broadest protections in the nation for LGBT people.

Erected 2021 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Education • Hispanic Americans • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1971.

Location. 39° 57.18′ N, 75° 9.791′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex West. It is at the intersection of John F Kennedy Boulevard (Pennsylvania Route 611) and Broad Street ( Route 611), on the left when traveling west on John F Kennedy Boulevard. Located on the north side of City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 576 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia PA 19107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Christian Bullitt (a few steps from this marker); Alexander Milne Calder

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(a few steps from this marker); Mother Jones (within shouting distance of this marker); Philadelphia City Hall Gates (within shouting distance of this marker); Major General John Fulton Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); Tricentennial Anniversary of German Settlement (within shouting distance of this marker); Philadelphia Fire Department Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); General George McClellan / Major General John Fulton Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ, HIV Activism

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2021, by N Giovannucci of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 931 times since then and 33 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 19, 2021, by N Giovannucci of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings showing its location. And a better close-up photo clearly showing the text. • Can you help?