Building LGBTQ+ Communities in Germany and the United States: Past, Present, and Future
Year 2: New York City, New York, United States
LGBTQ+ individuals and their communities have been organizing to assert their rights for over a century, especially in Germany and the United States—two countries that were early pioneers and that have currently achieved more equality than many other places. But many challenges still persist, especially as a backlash to greater LGBTQ+ rights has been visible in both countries.
A comparative examination of the history, present, and future of LGBTQ+ rights will generate new understandings, leadership skills, and policy lessons for both countries and many others around the world. This AGI project fosters cross-cultural exchange with participants from diverse backgrounds by sharing personal testimonies, successes and failures, and best practices through week-long study tours in the United States and Germany.
Program Synopsis
Ali Forney Center
Founded in 2002 in memory of Ali Forney, a homeless gender-nonconforming youth who was forced to live on the streets, where they were tragically murdered, the Ali Forney Center was established to support LGBTQ+ youth, addressing a significant gap in services for this community. Originally operating in a 9,000-square-foot facility, the organization has since relocated to a 40,000-square-foot space, serving approximately 2,000 youth annually at maximum capacity year-round. With a dedicated staff of around 280 (including full-time, part-time, and on-call members), the Center operates 24/7.
The Ali Forney Center provides various types of housing for individuals aged 16-24, directing those younger than 16 to the state registry. They provide several housing options to support LGBTQ+ youth. These include a night-by-night stay at the intake center, where youth can use zero-gravity beds; emergency housing for those in immediate danger, typically lasting 3 to 6 months; and transitional housing for up to two years, which requires residents to complete a minimum of thirty-six hours of work, school, or vocational training to maintain their accommodations. All youth in need have access to mental health counseling, medical testing, access to contraceptives, assistance in learning life skills for adulthood independence, and building skills that help in entering the workforce.
The Center boasts an impressive success rate of 80 percent in preventing LGBTQ+ youth from returning to homelessness, significantly higher than the national average of 20 percent among homeless shelters. This success supports youth in achieving stable lives with housing, employment, and independence. This is attributed to the mental health counseling and health care services provided to youth along with requirements to attend schooling or build work experience along with working with career development experts.
Notably, the Center’s social workers do not consider citizenship or immigration status, with 14 percent of care recipients coming from outside the United States and half from outside New York City. Globally recognized for its successful model, the Ali Forney Center now assists other LGBTQ+ homeless youth shelters in establishing and improving their operations, with its practices adopted by seventy-five shelters worldwide.
The Center – New York City
The Center, officially known as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, is a prominent LGBTQ+ community center located in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Founded in 1983, it serves as a vital hub for the LGBTQ+ community, offering a wide range of programs and services designed to support individuals and promote community engagement. The property was originally an abandoned public school where young LGBTQ+ groups squatted, seeking a space to organize. Over time, the property became available for purchase, and The Center’s leadership recognized the importance of building equity and a legal presence for the LGBTQ+ community, proceeding to purchase the site legally. This move allowed The Center to enhance its services and advocate more effectively on behalf of its members. World-renowned artist Keith Haring painted murals in parts of the property. In 2016, the Haring family donated a collection of artwork valued at $1.5 million to The Center, which was later sold at auction for $4 million, helping to fund its initiatives.
The Center provides support services such as mental health counseling, support groups, and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, addressing various issues including coming out, mental health, and substance use. Additionally, it focuses on healthcare challenges through numerous health programs, including sexual health resources and wellness initiatives aimed at promoting overall health within the community. An on-site clinic treats individuals aged 13 and older for addiction, making it the only facility of its kind in New York State. The clinic provides mental health counseling and offers HIV treatment three days a week, along with access to PrEP, a lifesaving STI prevention medication.
Cultural events, art exhibitions, and performances celebrating LGBTQ+ identities and heritage foster community connection and visibility. The Center engages in advocacy work, addressing policy issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community and offering educational programs on LGBTQ+ history and rights.
The Center’s youth program, designed for individuals aged 13 to 23, operates like an after-school program, offering short-term mental health counseling, work readiness programs, and access to computer labs for research and job searches. All services for young people are provided free of charge, ensuring that vital support is accessible to those who need it most.
The Center features an archive that began in the early days of the AIDS epidemic. Many times, dying individuals in the LGBTQ+ community would have no one to leave their possessions to, so items such as books, music, clothing, and photographs were brought to The Center by their friends for preservation. This archive has since grown and features two full-time archivists who work to preserve the lives and stories of members of the community. The archive’s prominence has grown in New York City, and it has become recognized as part of the city’s library system.
Stonewall National Monument
The Stonewall National Monument was designated a National Park in 2016 by President Barack Obama to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal event in LGBTQ+ history. The monument includes the two buildings that originally housed the Stonewall Inn, where the uprising began, and Christopher Park across the street, which is home to the Gay Liberation Monument. Created by George Segal, the monument features two affectionate same-sex couples—one male and one female—sculpted in bronze and painted white.
The Visitor Center, located in one of the original Stonewall Inn buildings, shares the history of the uprising. It is operated by Pride Live, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Diana Rodriguez and Ann Marie Gothard, two queer women of color, and is funded entirely through donations. The center presents exhibits documenting the history of the Stonewall Inn, the events of the 1969 uprising, and the long path to its 2016 commemoration. Visitors can also hear testimonies from those who were present during the uprising, emphasizing the critical roles played by intersectional voices, including trans individuals and people of color, in leading the movement. The center’s work highlights the broader context of 1960s civil rights movements, including the struggles for women’s, workers’, Black, and Native American rights.
NYC AIDS Memorial Foundation
As the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic in the United States, New York City has long contemplated establishing a memorial for the victims. Saint Vincent Hospital, known as “ground zero” for the epidemic in the city, closed in 2010, freeing up a valuable parcel of land that reignited discussions among residents about its future use. The hospital played a critical role during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s, providing pioneering care and support for patients when many other facilities were hesitant to engage with those affected.
In response to the hospital’s closure and the ensuing debates over land use, the New York City AIDS Memorial Foundation was established to advocate for and lead the construction of a memorial for the victims of the pandemic on the site of the former hospital. The queer community has faced significant displacement since the 1980s, and gentrification in the West Village generated pushback against the memorial, with some community members advocating for a traditional park or playground. Meanwhile, advocacy groups for the LGBTQ+ community called for the memorial to be politically active in its design.
To generate ideas for the memorial park, the NYC AIDS Memorial initiated a design competition in November 2011, chaired by Michael Arad, designer of the National September 11 Memorial. Studio a+i won the competition with a proposal featuring a large triangular frame structure at Saint Vincent’s Triangle. The memorial includes a central granite water fountain and benches, creating a space for gathering and events. Renowned artist Jenny Holzer arranged for passages from Walt Whitman’s 1855 poem “Song of Myself,” which celebrates themes of hope, unity, and human dignity, to be engraved into the pavement. The memorial is intended as a place of contemplation, providing shelter for reflection and remembrance of the men, women, and children lost to AIDS, while also serving as a gathering space and a reminder of the ongoing work to defeat the disease.
The park was officially dedicated in December 2016 on World AIDS Day. Each year, the foundation organizes fifteen to twenty programs to ensure ongoing engagement with the memorial, including art exhibitions, musical performances, advocacy gatherings, and political dialogues.
The foundation operates with an annual budget of $500,000 to $750,000, primarily allocated to programming. Initially, the design encompassed the entire property, but it was adjusted to include green space. Over time, the memorial has evolved into a site for direct action and protest against government inaction. Notable events include the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 following George Floyd’s murder and ongoing demonstrations against the conflict in Gaza, particularly after the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.
American LGBTQ+ Museum
Studies show that museums are some of the most trusted sources of information in the United States. With a need to showcase the stories and history of the LGBTQ+ community in the United States, the board for a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization was established through donations from individuals and foundations, with a goal to expand historical narratives to include all groups within the LGBTQ+ community. This initiative involves a partnership with the New York Historical Society/Museum to fund and construct a new wing for the American LGBTQ+ Museum, successfully raising $68 million in public funds and $105 million in private contributions.
The vision for the museum encompasses three key components: a core exhibition in New York City, a virtual experience accessible online, and traveling exhibitions that will provide resources and information to community centers and museums across the nation. Current temporary exhibitions include “Queer Justice,” which highlights fifty years of court cases in the LGBTQ+ fight for equality under the law. This exhibition, along with others, will be featured in Washington, DC, for World Pride in 2025.
The American LGBTQ+ Museum’s board anticipates an LGBTQ+ museum in the Smithsonian system in the future. The non-profit organization plans to serve as the national LGBTQ+ museum in New York City, a place with a notably rich LGBTQ+ history, until Congress is successful in developing plans for a national LGBTQ+ museum in Washington, DC. At that point, steps would most likely be taken to integrate artifacts, exhibits, and efforts for LGBTQ+ history preservation into the Smithsonian. To authorize a new Smithsonian Museum, Congress must approve an appropriation of $500 million in federal funds, which must be matched by another $500 million in private donations. Congressman Mark Pocan of Wisconsin first introduced a bill for this LGBTQ+ Smithsonian addition in 2022 and reintroduced it in 2023. The legislation has the support of all nine openly LGBTQ+ members of Congress, along with fifty additional sponsors.
Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art
The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art (LLMA) is the first museum dedicated to showcasing art created by LGBTQ+ artists. Founded in 1969, J. Frederic “Fritz” Lohman and Charles W. Leslie began displaying artwork out of their loft in Lower Manhattan. Displaying homoerotic art at a time when such works were illegal, it was pivotal initiative during the height of the civil rights and queer rights movements. The museum’s collection, which includes 25,000 pieces, is displayed in a gallery in SoHo and partly stored in upstate New York.
During the exchange program’s visit, the work of Andrea Geyer, a German-American artist, was on display. Her art explores the juxtaposition of her childhood forest in Germany with queer advocacy and protest. The museum’s smaller size allows it to be agile in supporting queer artists, especially emerging ones, through programs like its fellowship, which is currently in its seventh cohort. The museum also supports artists of color and fosters connections between artists and the collection, facilitating future exhibits and educational opportunities.
The museum has adapted to new needs post-COVID, building a structure for public programs, and it is exploring the possibility of traveling exhibitions. It faces challenges in increasing accessibility for disabled visitors. The museum’s funding model has evolved over time, focusing on building public trust and strengthening its advisory board. Each year, it typically hosts three to five exhibitions, with about 50 percent of its visitors identifying as LGBTQ+. Many visitors report that the museum helps them connect more deeply with their community and family, particularly after coming out.
Additionally, the Leslie-Lohman Museum partners with both public and private schools in New York City, offering students the chance to engage with art and explore the work of queer artists.
Hetrick-Martin Institute
Founded in 1979 by partners Emery Hetrick and Damian Martin, the Hetrick-Martin Institute was originally called the Institute for the Protection of Lesbian and Gay Youth (IPLGY). Hetrick, a medical director at the drug company Pfizer and a psychiatric specialist, and Martin, who taught speech pathology at New York University, established the institute to advocate for and protect queer youth. The idea for the organization arose after they learned of a young boy who had been thrown out of a shelter for being gay, highlighting the urgent need for support and safe spaces.
Over the years, the institute evolved from primarily an advocacy unit into an organization that offers a variety of community services, including the Harvey Milk High School. After Hetrick and Martin passed away due to AIDS, the organization was renamed in their honor. The Hetrick-Martin Institute also provides essential mental health services specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. With an annual budget of $10 million, the organization relies on a mix of public and private funding, although it has recently faced significant cuts in public support from city and state sources.
The institute operates on a milieu membership model designed to combat social, emotional, and cognitive isolation, helping individuals embrace their identities and fostering transformation and healing. Key components of this model include sex education, academic enrichment, arts and culture programs (including art therapy), job readiness training, and college preparation. Most members are around 16 years old or older, extending into their early 20s. Much of the work is led and supported by interns from local social work colleges. The institute’s mental health counseling is in high demand from community members. Currently, there is a waitlist of about fifty individuals for counseling services even after the organization tripled its staff devoted to this work over the past five years.
The institute is also preparing to launch a host-housing program for individuals aged 18-24. For much of the twentieth century, the organization relied on word of mouth to disseminate information and protect the privacy of its students and staff, but this has shifted with increasing acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities. Today, the organization serves approximately 1,000 members annually through activity services and another 5,000 through additional programs, with 80 percent of recipients identifying as people of color.
The Hetrick-Martin Institute also oversees administration of Harvey Milk High School, a public high school designed for LGBTQ+ students in the New York metropolitan area. Students in the New York area elect to be enrolled into the school for a variety of reasons, and the school’s curricular and extra-curricular services are designed to best serve LGBTQ+ students. Enrollment at Harvey Milk High School allows students from the New York City metropolitan area to transfer and earn their high school diploma, with parental permission required for enrollment. There is no waitlist for the high school; students are admitted immediately.
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church has played a significant role in the history of the United States, with more U.S. presidents having been Episcopalian than from any other Christian denomination. Its governance structure, which emphasizes democratic principles, has also influenced the establishment of U.S. democratic institutions. Founded in 1867, All Saints’ Episcopal Church is part of the global Anglican Communion, which has evolved over the past thirty years to become more inclusive, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights. The church began blessing same-sex unions in 2008 and fully embraced marriage equality in 2011. All Saints’ is also committed to inclusivity, with female and LGBTQ+ identifying priests serving in its clergy.
However, challenges remain within the Episcopal Church, particularly around the representation of women and LGBTQ+ individuals in leadership roles. Despite progress, there is still a gender imbalance in church leadership at the broader diocesan and national levels. Additionally, much of the church’s language and theology remain rooted in traditional gender binaries, presenting barriers to those who identify outside of these categories.
In line with its commitment to social justice, All Saints’ is connected to local organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community in New York City. When a similar Episcopal parish in Queens closed, its building was donated to the Ali Forney Center, a nonprofit dedicated to serving homeless LGBTQ+ youth. This act is part of the wider Episcopal Church’s efforts to address homelessness, underscoring the denomination’s ongoing commitment to both LGBTQ+ rights and social service.
Steven Paulikas, the church’s rector, was a participant in the first year of the AGI project “Building LGBTQ+ Communities in Germany and the United States.” He shared his work in church leadership as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and discussed faith-based support for LGBTQ+ individuals with the participants. This meeting also allowed for an exchange between two project cohorts, further strengthening the networks of transatlantic dialogue on LGBTQ+ issues.
City Councilmember Chi Ossé
Chi Ossé is a member of the New York City Council representing the 36th District. The City Council of New York consists of fifty-one representatives overseeing a $110 billion annual budget. He serves a constituency of approximately 170,000 New Yorkers. Ossé has focused much of his work on land use and expanding access to affordable housing, aiming to address the city’s growing housing crisis. He began his political career by founding “Warriors in the Garden,” an advocacy organization created in response to the city government’s inaction on housing issues.
A member of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, Ossé integrates his identity and passion for LGBTQ+ advocacy into his work, particularly by addressing LGBTQ+ homelessness. His efforts also include pushing for stronger protections for human rights in New York City law and expanding healthcare access, especially for communities disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS, including LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.
Navigating the political landscape in New York, Ossé has encountered challenges in working with the administration under New York City mayor Eric Adams, particularly when proposing policy changes that challenge more centrist Democratic approaches but aim to better support New Yorkers in a current climate of housing insufficiency. Ossé has found success in using social media to communicate directly with constituents. This approach was instrumental in mobilizing public support against recent rent guideline hikes that resulted in a 16 percent increase. Ossé’s use of social media helped inform and rally New Yorkers, advocacy that resulted in limits on future rent increases in the city.
Lesbian Herstory Archives
Founded in the early 1970s by Joan Nessel in her Manhattan apartment, the Lesbian Herstory Archives was established in response to the absence of a historical narrative that centered the stories of lesbians—not simply about them, but by them. At a time when gay academic units were emerging, there was a need for a repository to document the lived experiences, struggles, and contributions of lesbians in a world often dominated by male-centered narratives. The archives began with a small collection of photographs, journal entries, and personal artifacts, with gatherings at people’s homes helping to build a more complete picture of lesbian history.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the rise of small feminist presses and political activism contributed to the growth of this archive, which aimed to capture the rich history of lesbian activism, including early voter registration efforts dating back to the 1930s and 1940s—well before the Stonewall riots of 1969. In 1993, the archives moved to a larger space in Brooklyn, where they continue to thrive as a volunteer-run institution dedicated to preserving and sharing lesbian herstory.
Celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year, the Lesbian Herstory Archives is the first archive to use “lesbian” in its name and remains a nonprofit, independent organization that will not be sold or bought by private or governmental entities. It is a unique space in the United States, as most LGBTQ+ archives focus predominantly on gay male histories. The Archives owns its building, with the main hallway often used for queer art exhibitions, providing a venue for queer artists who might otherwise lack representation in mainstream spaces.
From its inception, the Lesbian Herstory Archives has served as a place for both academic and film research, and it has fostered an international exchange with a lesbian archive in Berlin, Spinnboden. The archives are organized in a way that de-emphasizes patriarchal lineage, with materials filed by first name rather than surname. Key figures in the archive’s history include renowned poet and activist Audre Lorde, whose contributions remain in the collection, as well as a wide range of voices that continue to shape the legacy of the archives.
At the Lesbian Herstory Archives, the definition of “lesbian” is inclusive, welcoming anyone whose work or story is relevant to the archive’s mission. The Archives also collects voice memos and audio recordings, expanding its reach beyond traditional written history to encompass a broader, more inclusive understanding of lesbian life and culture.
This program is generously funded by the Transatlantik-Programm der Bundesrepublik Deutschland aus Mitteln des European Recovery Program (ERP) des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz(BMWK) (Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany with Funds through the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry for Economics and Climate Action (BMWK)), the AGI Harry & Helen Gray Humanities Program and funds from The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF).
