To honor LGBT Heritage Month at the library we present this pictorial map of West Hollywood, one of America’s most enlightened cities. Street maps from as recently as the 1970’s ignored the growing power of the gay community in the little city between Beverly Hills and Hollywood. It may have taken to march on Washington in 1979 to loosen the restraints and in 1984 West Hollywood became an incorporated city with openly gay council members.

This 1993 pictorial demonstrates the “We-Ho” we know today, fully “out” and showing a colorful street scene that is famous as the center of Gay night life in L.A. The map shows us 25 gay bars, 26 gay shops, 69 gay friendly restaurants and a fine library along with the excellent One Archives Gallery and museum that celebrates the struggle for acceptance.

West Hollywood: the Community in Action, Community Business Promotions, 1993