Philly AIDS Thrift Giovanni’s Room – The country’s first and oldest LGBT-focused book store.īarbara Gittings Gay & Lesbian Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia – The “mother of the LGBTQ+ movement,” Barbara Gittings, spent most of her life in Philadelphia and edited the nation’s first lesbian publication. Philadelphia is home to gay pride events as well as numerous historical and culturally significant sites, including: Pride and Progress © 2002 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Ann Northrup, 1315 Spruce Street.