A bar since 1864, Julius' was thrust into the forefront of the gay rights movement in 1966 three years before the Stonewall riots when activists staged.
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Taking inspiration from the “Sit Ins” in the South of America during the civil rights movement, the “Sip-In” was a way for gay rights activists to make themselves heard.
Village Preservation; the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project; the owner of Julius’ Bar, located at 159 West 10th Street; special guest, Broadway star John Cameron Mitchell; LGBT activist and 1966 “Sip-In” participant, Randy Wicker; and others gathered for the unveiling of a plaque to acknowledge Julius’ significance to LGBT activism and history.
On April 21, 1966, four members of the Mattachine Society, an early queer rights organization decided to challenge regulations adopted by bars to deny service to patrons who were seen as “disorderly” a vague definition that New York City police used to refer to same-sex flirting, kissing or even touching.