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

Gay Rights Demonstrations

July 4, 1965-1969

Photographed by Richard Dworkin, September 29, 2009

1. Gay Rights Demonstrations Marker

Inscription. Annual public demonstrations for gay and lesbian equality were held at Independence Hall. These peaceful protests and New York's Stonewall riots in 1969 & Pride Parade in 1970 transformed a small national campaign into a civil rights movement.

Erected 2005 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1965.

Location. 39° 56.964′ N, 75° 9.047′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is at the intersection of 6th Street and Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling south on 6th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Chestnut St, Philadelphia PA 19106, 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

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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: Evolution of Old Glory (here, next to this marker); Independence Hall Office (a few steps from this marker); Richard M. Hoe (within shouting distance of this marker); Signers Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Congress Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Birth of the U.S. Army (within shouting distance of this marker); In This Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Declaration Chamber (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . The second largest minority.
This video was directed and edited by Dr. Lillie Vincenz and may be streamed from the Library of Congress site:

Documentary short film featuring one of the early gay rights demonstration marches, the fourth Annual Reminder Day (Reminder Day picket), held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia,
Photographed by Richard Dworkin, September 29, 2009

2. Gay Rights Demonstrations Marker
Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1968. In voiceover, gay and lesbian demonstrators, including activist Frank Kameny, share their experiences of prejudice and discrimination and advocate for their civil rights.

(Submitted on November 4, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ, 🏳️‍🌈

Photographed by Richard Dworkin, September 29, 2009

3. Gay Rights Demonstrations Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2009, by Richard Dworkin of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 2,754 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 27, 2009, by Richard Dworkin of New York, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.