By

Michael
Gay Liberation Monument
31
Oct

Keeping History Alive By Keeping Tours Relevant

Earlier this month, I was invited to speak with a class in NYU’s Tourism & Hospitality program. At first, I hesitated. My academic background isn’t actually in tourism – it’s in education. While there’s overlap between the two fields, I couldn’t help but wonder if my practical experience in LGBTQ+ tourism would resonate with students...
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Rodney Wilson
29
Sep

The Changemaker Behind LGBTQ+ History Month

Today, we recognize October as LGBTQ+ History Month – a time to honor the legacy, resilience, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. But what we don’t always pause to consider is how this month began, or the person whose vision sparked what has now become a global observance. The origins of LGBTQ+ History Month echo...
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Tour
31
Aug

The Best Way to Learn LGBTQ+ History? Talk with Queer Elders

At Christopher Street Tours, LGBTQ+ history is the heart of our work. Our mission is to increase access to LGBTQ+ history by sharing stories and uplifting voices of those who paved the way before us. When I launched Christopher Street Tours in 2018, I spent countless hours in the archives, buried in books and articles....
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Michael On Tour
30
Jul

What Makes Our Tours Special? The People Who Interrupt Them

In 2018, I started giving LGBTQ+ walking tours in NYC. What began as a Facebook post and a free Eventbrite listing eventually turned into Christopher Street Tours. When I first started, it was just me – a solo tour guide with a binder full of photos, sharing stories I’d collected from books, podcasts, and deep...
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Pride Tour
01
Jul

Top 8 Ways to Celebrate Pride in NYC All Year Round

At Christopher Street Tours, we celebrate Pride every day. And while June is filled with exciting celebrations and powerful moments of protest, there are countless ways to honor LGBTQ+ history, culture, and community all year long in New York City (and around the world). Whether you’re a local or planning a visit to the Big...
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Rainbow Tour
29
May

The History of Pride: Told By A Gay Tour Guide

Every year, people from around the world come to New York City to explore LGBTQ+ history with Christopher Street Tours. For many queer folks and allies, NYC is synonymous with Pride – a city often recognized as the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement. So it’s no surprise that when they visit, they want...
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Gay Liberation Now
28
Apr

Gathering Friends: The Power of Small Collectives

When we think about social change, it’s easy to imagine huge organizations and sweeping movements changing the world. But the truth is, so much of the progress we celebrate today started with small groups of people, or collectives, thinking about ways that they can make a difference. There is power in small groups, chosen families,...
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Village Tour
01
Apr

Rediscover Greenwich Village: Our Updated LGBTQ+ History Walking Tour

When I started Christopher Street Tours in 2018, it felt like I was just a singular, passionate, gay tour guide with a binder full of photos and a head full of stories. What began as a one-person operation has since grown into a globally recognized LGBTQ+ walking tour company, welcoming tens of thousands of guests...
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Protest at Stonewall
20
Feb

Stories of Trans Resistance & Liberation

Earlier this month, the National Park Service removed the word “transgender” from the Stonewall National Monument website. Erasing the contributions of trans people from one of the most pivotal sites in LGBTQ+ history is completely unacceptable. Trans people are integral to the history of Stonewall and to the continued fight for LGBTQ+ rights, and to...
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Tour guide outside of Christopher Park
28
Jan

Craig Rodwell: The Importance of Following Your Vision

Recently on tours, I’ve started stopping at a particular photo displayed outside of Christopher Park. The image captures a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history – the first Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day, which occurred on June 28, 1970. This historic event began as an annual protest march and demonstration to commemorate the Stonewall Riots. Over...
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