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NYC's 5 Best LGBT Art Exhibits And Cultural Events

The LGBT community is a growing cultural group in New York City. Events and exhibitions throughout town provide opportunity for supporters to discover more about the community. Want to read a novel written by or about lesbians, view art created by a prominent gay artist or join in parties, dining or other cultural events? If so, then check out the list of community events and cultural exhibitions below.
Lesbian Herstory Archives
(credit: Lesbian Herstory Archives/Facebook)

Lesbian Herstory Archives
484 14th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 768-DYKE
lesbianherstoryarchives.org

The aim of the LHA is "to preserve and document the lives of all lesbians." Over 11,000 books, 12,000 photographs, 600 videos, 1300 periodical titles and thousands of miscellanea are all maintained in this Brooklyn townhouse. Items such as T-shirts, board games, rainbow flags, roller skates, novels, L.O.V.E. videotapes, posters, valentine's cards and much more can be found here. The archives are available for anyone to enjoy by reading a book, browsing the collection or researching history. Hours vary and no reservation is required to stop by. Requests for research are always welcomed as this collection is meant to educate any willing to learn. Exhibits often feature different parts of the collection, and part of the photo collection is now available online.

Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art
(credit: Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art)

Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art
26 Wooster St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 431-2609
leslielohman.org

The mission of the LLM is to "locate, rescue, and preserve works of gay art that are endangered because of societal sexual prejudice." Accordingly, the museum owns a collection of over 3,500 works of art from paintings to sculpture and photography to drawing. A rolling schedule of exhibitions can be found on the website, featuring such topics as "Queer Art and the Church," portraiture, biographical videos, youth photography and more.

Related: The 8 Best Art Galleries In NYC

The Center
(credit: gaycenter.org)

The Center
208 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011
(212) 620-7310
gaycenter.org

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center hosts events throughout the year that provide advice, advocacy events and arts and community programs. Theater shows, film screenings, book discussions, dance classes, bike trips, parties and more are all programs run by The Center. Housed in the former Food and Maritime Trades High School, The Center has been around for over 25 years. Programs include those geared toward LGBT families, individuals struggling with HIV/AIDS, youth and survivors of anti-gay violence or substance abuse.

Art Gallery Sign

New York Gallery Tours
(212) 946-1548
nygallerytours.com

Among the company's many tours offered in the downtown area is a gay and lesbian gallery tour given once a month. Tour director Rafael Risemberg, a former gay studies professor, identifies gay artists and galleries to introduce to interested parties of any orientation. Sculpture, digital art, photography and paintings are some of the mediums seen on the tour. Occasionally, tours may even feature a talk with an artist. Try this or any of the other gallery tours offered by the organization, either public or private.

Related: NYC's 6 Best Walking Tours

Pride Flag
(credit: Thinkstock)

Bronx Community Pride Center
975 Kelly St, 2nd floor
Bronx, NY 10459
(718) 292-4368
bronxpride.org

This center provides services for both youth and adults in the LGBT community. Hip-hop dance classes, youth photography, African drumming, yoga, health programming, sexuality education and other programs are available here. The BCPC has been in existence for over 15 years. This center is "committed to organizing, serving and empowering members of the LGBT communities to enjoy and realize their full potential and receive the support and services they need to thrive."

Check out CBS Local's Guide to Celebrating NYC Pride

Jennifer Eberhart is currently an art history/museum studies graduate student at The City College in New York. She is an avid art enthusiast, and visits as many museums and galleries as she can in her free time. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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