LGBT Tour at Congressional Cemetery

Historic Congressional Cemetery, currently led by gay President Paul K. Williams, is believed to be the world’s only cemetery with a LGBT section. Although earlier LGBT burials are located in HCC, the gay corner began in 1988 when Vietnam Veteran and gay rights advocate Leonard Matlovich decided to be interred at HCC. His decision incited a generation of LGBT activists to choose the cemetery as their final resting place.

In addition, the cemetery’s policy of encouraging interesting, unique, and poignant headstones and inscriptions has led to efforts to educate future LGBT individuals of the struggles their forebears experienced. HCC is an active cemetery with many members of the LGBT community currently buying plots.

Join us for a free tour, led by HCC docent Jeffrey Rollins, of the LGBT graves at Congressional Cemetery. The tour will be given on June 1st and 8th, both starting at at 12:00 pm (registration is required as space is limited). Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. The tour will last about an hour and will meet inside the front gate at Historic Congressional Cemetery.