The exhibition disrupts the popularly held belief that the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement began with the Stonewall Riots in 1969 New York. While this pushback to police violence was vital, DC’s LGBTQ+ history of resistance actually predates the Stonewall Riots. Rainbow History Project recognizes this picket, four years before the Stonewall Riots, where 10 members of the Mattachine Society of Washington marched with signs in front of the White House–as the start of DC’s rich queer history.
Step into decades of LGBTQ+ history with RHP’s ten bold and immersive Era Cubes. Spanning from 1965 to today, each cube brings a defining era of DC.’s movement to life — packed with striking archival photos, rare historical insights, and vivid portraits of Community Pioneers who led the charge for visibility, justice, and change. Feel the power of words that sparked revolution. Each era features a Quote Wall showcasing unforgettable statements from activists, artists, and leaders who shaped DC’s Gay history.
Set between the White House and the Capitol, this powerful exhibit is more than a history lesson — it’s a living reminder that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over. As attacks on equality persist nationwide, this exhibit stands as a bold declaration: We’ve been fighting for six decades — and we’ll keep fighting for sixty more.
