Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love” and birthplace of American democracy, is adding an inclusive destination to the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding next year: the Philly Pride Visitors Center, one of the country’s first LGBTQ+ visitor centers.
“We don’t just welcome diversity, we celebrate it,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation. “Philadelphia is a city that shows up for everyone.”
The new LGBTQ+ destination will open early next year in the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ neighborhood in Midtown Village. The 2026 Semiquincentennial is expected to draw record tourism to the “Cradle of Liberty.”
As well as being the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia has a storied history in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. The city’s Independence Hall was one of the first venues to see public demonstrations for gay rights, while the country’s first LGBTQ+ sit-in took place in 1965 at the infamous Dewey’s restaurant, where “avowed homosexuals” weren’t welcome.
“The Philly Pride Visitor Center reflects our commitment to inclusive tourism and to making sure every traveler feels seen, welcomed, and celebrated,” said Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia. “This new center gives visitors and residents a place to connect with Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ history, discover affirming businesses, and see how this city helped shape a national movement. It is both a resource hub and a testament to Philadelphia’s role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights.”
Plans for the Pride-themed center include services like itinerary planning, attraction ticketing, and travel information, with a special focus on LGBTQ+-affirming destinations, businesses, and cultural institutions. The gift shop will offer a curated selection of souvenirs from LGBTQ+ artists, designers, and businesses.
Historical content will be curated by Mark Segal, founder of Philadelphia Gay News, with the goal of presenting an authentic representation of the city’s LGBTQ+ legacy based on input from the community.
“Philadelphia has always been a trailblazer in LGBTQ+ history, from the first Reminder Day marches in 1965 (four years before Stonewall) to the Dewey’s sit-in, where LGBTQ+ youth stood up to a restaurant’s refusal to serve them,” Segal said. “Our city helped launch the fight for representation in media, shaped national policy, and created safe, visible spaces for our community.”
With the new visitor center’s founding, “Philadelphia proudly honors that legacy.”
Said CEO Lovell: “Our hope is that the Philly Pride Visitor Center becomes a place where LGBTQ+ visitors feel like they belong from the moment they arrive.”
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/10/philadelphia-will-open-historic-pride-visitors-center-to-mark-250th-anniversary-of-the-united-states/
