By Christina Arlt, AICP, McCormick Taylor and Max Dickson, AICP, OLIN
More than 20 million U.S. adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender.[1] LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall uprisings in New York City, a major tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the US. In honor of Pride Month and to recognize the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on the planning profession and in our communities locally and nationally, we’ve compiled a few planning-related articles and resources:
- This May 2023 article by Aaron Greiner explains why we need Queer Urbanism and how heteronormative planning structures can exclude queer people, especially those who are trans and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color). It’s important to involve queer people in all levels of planning, from hiring to project consultation and community engagement. Don’t assume a heteronormative family structure, plan for flexible spaces that people can adapt to their needs and ask queer people what they need to feel comfortable in a space and follow their suggestions.
- This May 2022 article by Tatiana Walk-Morris describes how to Kentucky and Maryland are uncovering and honoring LGBTQ+ history in the built environment through planning efforts. For example, Preservation Maryland led Maryland’s 2020 LGBTQ+ survey, which identified almost 400 sites with ties to non-binary historical figures, elected officials, community groups, gay bars and cafes, advocacy for AIDS treatment and marriage equality, and more.
- Heading out on vacation this summer? If you’re going to Detroit; Ithaca, NY; New Orleans; Philadelphia; Roanoke, VA; or St. Louis, check out these six LGBTQ+ walking tours.
- As part of the past two National Planning Conference’s, the APA LGBTQ and Planning Divisions has collaborated to create walking tours of Philadelphia’s Gayborhood and Minneapolis’ queer history. Check out the interactive StoryMaps!
- Interested in learning more? Join the American Planning Association’s LGBTQ and Planning Division, or follow them on Instagram at @apa_lgbtq.
- Did you know that only Trans Cultural District in the world is in San Francisco? Listen to APA’s podcast series ‘No Small Stories’ to learn more about Compton’s Transgender Cultural District.
- Does your workplace use gender-inclusive language? Learn why equitable planning starts with inclusive language here!
