Arts & Culture
Discover New York's vibrant LGBTQ+ creative scene - from world-renowned museums to underground galleries, Broadway stages to indie theaters
The Creative Heart of Gay NYC
New York City has always been a beacon for LGBTQ+ artists, writers, performers, and cultural innovators. From the historic galleries of Chelsea to the avant-garde spaces of Brooklyn, from Broadway's golden stages to intimate cabaret rooms, the city offers an unparalleled array of queer cultural experiences. Whether you're seeking world-class museum exhibitions, cutting-edge performance art, or community-driven cultural spaces, NYC's LGBTQ+ arts scene provides endless inspiration and connection.
Alice Austen House
Historic home of pioneering lesbian photographer Alice Austen on Staten Island, now a museum celebrating her life and LGBTQ+ history.
Hours: Thu-Sun 11am-5pm
Address: 2 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island
Admission: $8 adults
Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art
The world's only dedicated LGBTQ+ art museum, featuring contemporary and historical works spanning 30,000+ objects.
Hours: Tue-Sun 12-6pm
Address: 26 Wooster St
Admission: Free
Whitney Museum of American Art
Featuring significant LGBTQ+ artists and exhibitions, including works by Keith Haring, David Wojnarowicz, and Felix Gonzalez-Torres.
Hours: Wed-Mon 10:30am-6pm
Address: 99 Gansevoort St
Admission: $25 adults
International Center of Photography
Regularly features exhibitions exploring LGBTQ+ identity, including works by Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Catherine Opie.
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
Address: 79 Essex St
Admission: $16 adults
David Zwirner Gallery
Leading contemporary gallery with multiple locations, regularly showcasing LGBTQ+ artists and queer themes in contemporary art.
Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-6pm
Address: 537 W 20th St (main)
Admission: Free
MoMA - Museum of Modern Art
World-renowned collection including seminal LGBTQ+ artists and regular exhibitions exploring gender, sexuality, and identity.
Hours: Daily 10:30am-5:30pm
Address: 11 W 53rd St
Admission: $25 adults
Brooklyn Museum
Progressive institution with groundbreaking LGBTQ+ exhibitions, including "Nobody Promised You Tomorrow: Art 50 Years After Stonewall."
Hours: Wed-Sun 11am-6pm
Address: 200 Eastern Pkwy
Admission: $16 adults
Cherry Lane Theatre
America's longest continuously running off-Broadway theater, historic venue for numerous groundbreaking LGBTQ+ productions since 1924.
Shows: Year-round programming
Address: 38 Commerce St
Tickets: $40-85
Broadway
The Great White Way features numerous LGBTQ+ themed shows, from classics like "Rent" to current hits celebrating queer stories.
Shows: 8 performances/week
Tickets: $30-300+
LGBTQ+ Hits: Hamilton, Company, Chicago
Dixon Place
Lower East Side performance space dedicated to experimental theater, featuring cutting-edge LGBTQ+ artists and boundary-pushing work.
Shows: Thu-Sun evenings
Address: 161A Chrystie St
Tickets: $15-25
The Public Theater
Legendary venue that premiered "Hair" and "A Chorus Line," continuing to champion LGBTQ+ stories through innovative productions.
Shows: Year-round programming
Address: 425 Lafayette St
Tickets: $20-85
La MaMa E.T.C.
East Village experimental theater company that has nurtured LGBTQ+ artists for over 60 years, presenting radical and innovative work.
Shows: Thu-Sun
Address: 74A E 4th St
Tickets: $18-30
Lincoln Center
World-class performing arts complex featuring LGBTQ+ themes across opera, ballet, and classical music, plus special Pride programming.
Venues: Met Opera, NYC Ballet, Philharmonic
Address: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza
Tickets: $25-400+
Performance Space New York
East Village venue presenting avant-garde performances, with a strong commitment to LGBTQ+ artists and gender-nonconforming performers.
Shows: Thu-Sun
Address: 150 1st Ave
Tickets: $20-35
Bureau of General Services—Queer Division
Independent queer bookstore and cultural center within The LGBT Community Center, featuring the world's largest LGBTQ+ book collection.
Hours: Daily 9am-11pm
Address: 208 W 13th St, Room 210
Events: Author readings, book clubs
New York Public Library
Extensive LGBTQ+ collections, including the International Gay Information Center records and regular programming celebrating queer literature.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
Address: 5th Ave & 42nd St
Access: Free with library card
The Strand Bookstore
Legendary independent bookstore with extensive LGBTQ+ section, hosting regular author events and maintaining a strong queer literary focus.
Hours: Daily 9:30am-10:30pm
Address: 828 Broadway
Special: Rare book room
Housing Works Bookstore
SoHo bookstore and café supporting HIV/AIDS services, with strong LGBTQ+ programming and a beautiful historic space for literary events.
Hours: Daily 10am-9pm
Address: 126 Crosby St
Café: Coffee and light meals
Lambda Literary
National organization celebrating LGBTQ+ literature, hosting the annual Lambda Literary Awards and year-round programming in NYC.
Events: Year-round readings
Awards: Annual ceremony
Focus: LGBTQ+ authors & themes
Word Bookstore
Brooklyn independent bookstore with strong community focus, regularly hosting LGBTQ+ authors and maintaining inclusive programming.
Hours: Daily 10am-10pm
Address: 126 Franklin St, Brooklyn
Events: Regular author series
The Stonewall Inn
Birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and the first National Monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and history.
Hours: Daily 2pm-4am
Address: 53 Christopher St
Status: Still operating bar
LGBT Community Center
Historic 1893 building serving as NYC's LGBTQ+ community hub since 1983, housing multiple cultural and social organizations.
Hours: Daily 9am-11pm
Address: 208 W 13th St
Services: Programs, events, resources
NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project
Comprehensive mapping and documentation of 150+ LGBTQ+ historic sites across all five boroughs, with self-guided tour options.
Access: Online map and app
Tours: Multiple themed routes
Cost: Free
Christopher Street
Historic street at the heart of the gay rights movement, home to Stonewall and numerous other significant LGBTQ+ landmarks.
Landmarks: Stonewall, Oscar Wilde Memorial
Length: 6 blocks of history
Best Time: Daytime for historical tour
Brooklyn Community Pride Center
Full-service LGBTQ+ community center offering cultural programming, art exhibitions, and community events in Park Slope.
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-10pm
Address: 1360 Fulton St, Brooklyn
Services: Programs, events, support
Queens Pride House
Community center serving Queens' diverse LGBTQ+ population with cultural programming, support services, and celebration of multicultural queer identity.
Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-8pm
Address: 76-11 37th Ave, Queens
Languages: Multiple languages spoken
SAGE Center
Dedicated to LGBTQ+ seniors, offering cultural programming, social services, and community building for older adults across the city.
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Main: 305 7th Ave, 15th Floor
Age: 50+ LGBTQ+ adults
Stonewall Community Development Corporation
Community-driven organization creating affordable housing and cultural spaces for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, with focus on arts programming.
Focus: Affordable housing & arts
Programs: Community-driven
Service: All NYC boroughs
Hetrick-Martin Institute
Supporting LGBTQ+ youth with educational programs, arts initiatives, and safe spaces, including the Harvey Milk High School.
Ages: 13-24 LGBTQ+ youth
Address: 2 Astor Pl
Programs: Education, arts, support
Queer|Art
Supporting LGBTQ+ artists through mentorship, exhibitions, and community building, with programs connecting emerging and established artists.
Focus: LGBTQ+ artists
Programs: Year-round mentorship
Events: Regular exhibitions
Your Cultural Calendar
Annual Events
- • Pride Arts Festival: June
- • Queer Art Book Fair: September
- • NewFest Film Festival: October
- • OutWrite Literary Festival: November
Getting Tickets
- • Museums: Book online for discounts
- • Theater: TodayTix for same-day deals
- • Community Events: Often free/donation
- • Special Exhibitions: Advance booking recommended
Cultural Districts
- • SoHo/NoLita: Galleries & museums
- • Chelsea: Gallery district
- • Greenwich Village: Historic sites
- • Brooklyn: Emerging arts scene
Stay Culturally Connected
NYC's LGBTQ+ arts scene is constantly evolving with new exhibitions, performances, and cultural events. Stay informed about the latest shows, gallery openings, and community celebrations.