Philadelphia is known around the globe as the birthplace of independence and American democracy, but the city basts a long gay rights history, too. Some of the nation's first gay rights protests - before the landmark Stonewall Riots in New York City - took place in front of Philadelphia's Independence Hall during the "Annual Reminders" held each July 4th from 1965 to 1969.

In 1975, Pennsylvania, under Governor Milton Shapp, was the first state to create an official governmental commission to look into the issues facing sexual minorities. In 1982, Philadelphia became one of the first cities in the country to pass an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. And Philadelphia's 1997 domestic partners law was the first in the country to provide a tax break for gay and lesbian couples.

Today, Philadelphia's gay community is active and influential in business, political and social circles. The community is represented both in state and city government. Special events for the gay community are plentiful throughout the year, and a long list of gay and lesbian athletic, social, cultural, religious and service organizations have active memberships.

Philadelphia's gay media provide a voice within and for the community. The Philadelphia Gay News is one of the oldest and most respected gay newspapers in the United States and can be found in purple newspaper boxes on many downtown street corners. And the city's two long-running gay and lesbian programs, Amazon Country and Q'zine, appear on public radio's WXPN 88.5 FM.

Visit Marc Stein's interview by Jeannine DeLombard about his recent book, The City of Sisterly and Brotherly Loves: The Making of Lesbian and Gay Communities in Greater Philadelphia, 1945-1976. Also, Marc Stein talks about his view of Philadelphia's gay and lesbian history by J.Cooper Robb.