Hell’s Kitchen, once a vibrant centerpiece of New York City’s nightlife, has transformed into one of the largest LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in the world.
Home to an array of bars and nightclubs, this lively area hides layers of queer history that stretch back over a century.
In his new book, *Queer Happened Here*, Marc Zinaman sheds light on the untold stories of LGBTQ+ spaces throughout Manhattan from the 1920s to today.
Zinaman, a writer and queer historian, hails from New York City and believes that much of the city’s queer history is often overlooked or forgotten.
“Growing up on the Upper West Side, I wasn’t taught queer history, and I later discovered many queer spaces were just around the block from me,” he shared in an interview.
Inspired by documentaries that touched on the famous Studio 54 and other lesser-known nightlife spots, Zinaman began tracking the various queer venues across the city.
What started as a personal project blossomed into a public Instagram account where he has cataloged over 1,000 LGBTQ+ locations, many of which are now lost to time.
This extensive list includes iconic venues like the 9th Avenue Saloon, originally known as Town and Country in the 1970s, and more contemporary spaces such as Therapy, which operated from 2003 to 2020.
Zinaman also highlights Flaming Saddles, where he conducted the interview, as a symbol of a new era in themed bar culture.
Even more intriguing are the stories of past venues such as The Sanctuary, a gay discotheque on W43rd Street that existed for a brief period in the late 1960s and early 70s, and Edelweiss, a nightclub that became a hub for trans women in the 90s.
As gentrification forced many LGBTQ+ individuals from their traditional spaces in the West Village and Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen emerged as an attractive alternative for the community in the early 2000s.
Alongside the dance floors, the neighborhood became a refuge for many queer individuals, particularly people of color.
This area also fostered a community for queer intellectuals, including exiled Cuban writer Reynaldo Arenas and trans activist Lee G Brewster.
Since creating his Instagram account in 2021, Zinaman’s perspective on queer spaces has evolved.
He discovered the extent to which people sought one another out despite the risks of being outed or facing attacks from homophobes.
“It impressed me to find that people would seek community and connection seven nights a week,” he noted, emphasizing the enduring spirit of freedom and love within the community.
While some venues, like the Stonewall Inn and Julius’ Bar, have gained extensive documentation, many others remain in obscurity.
The stories of countless queer spaces might only survive through archival LGBTQ periodicals or photographs that Zinaman has painstakingly researched, as well as firsthand accounts from those who were part of those vibrant scenes.
This drove him to engage with queer elders, interviewing them to preserve their rich experiences.
“I really relished the opportunity to talk to them,” Zinaman expressed, reflecting on his own lack of queer role models growing up.
He understands that the nightlife scene is ever-changing, with bars and clubs closing and reopening at a rapid pace; this transition has only intensified during the COVID pandemic, where many spaces failed to recover.
Zinaman’s book, while only a glimpse into his extensive research, is organized chronologically, detailing queer history from the post-World War I prohibition era to the rise of dating apps and the reclamation of the term ‘queer.’
As he uncovers these stories, he aims to honor the legacy and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community in New York City and to ensure these histories are not forgotten.
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