LGBTQIA History
LGBTQIA+ History & Culture
Explore Hawaiʻi's unique traditions of gender and sexual diversity and inclusion, from an ancient monument honoring dual gender healers to the birthplace of marriage equality.
From the gender fluidity and acceptance of all forms of intimacy between genders within the Hawaiian culture, to those who then were suppressed by missionaries for their sexual nonconformity, to the queer experiences had by immigrants in the plantations be they Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Puerto Rican or other ethnicities; to the māhū entertainers who blazed the trail toward respect through their brave acts of defiance and visibility, to the gay physicians who fought HIV/AIDS with evidence based public health campaigns; to advocates and jurists who demanded more by fighting for marriage equality in a world that had yet to imagine it; these are just a sampling of the stories that continue to be gathered, restored, and shared through all forms of expression – through song, hula and dance, written and spoken word, immersive digital experiences and exhibitions, educational resources, public are installations, and monuments.
Historical Points of Interest
Kapaemahu
These stones are a storied place – a monument to four extraordinary beings of dual male and female spirit who brought the healing arts to Hawaiʻi long ago. They are heroes, and this site is a reminder of Hawaiʻi's long history of healing and inclusion. Please be respectful during your visit, bringing only your good intentions and leaving the site as you found it. The best way to honor the stones is through the gift of song, chant and prayer and by sharing their story.
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Hawaiʻi Queer History Trail
Explore some of the key sites in Hawaiʻi's queer history. From an ancient monument honoring gender-fluid healers to the birthplace of the same-sex marriage movement, these are landmarks of the ongoing voyages of our diverse LGBTQ+ Māhū communities.
There are currently eight sites on the map, with more to come soon. The tour is available on Bloomberg Connects, an arts and culture app you can download to your smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
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The Glade
The Glade Show Club was a celebrated nightclub located at 152 N. Hotel Street in the red light district of Honolulu’s Chinatown. It was popular with locals, tourists, and military personnel for its "Boys Will Be Girls Revue," which featured extravagantly dressed “female impersonators,” similar to the drag shows of today. While considered risqué by continental USA standards, the show was included in tourist excursions.
Today, the Glade and its former site remind us of the māhū entertainers whose fearless queer visibility blazed the trail toward dignity and respect for the generations to come.
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