The Gill Foundation — one of the nation’s leading funders of efforts to secure full equality for LGBTQ people — today announced it will match contributions up to $25,000 to protect NYC’s historic Julius’ Bar, which is under threat of closure due to the economic impact of COVID-19. The support is earmarked to support rent and utility costs. The foundation previously made a $20,000 contribution to Julius’ Bar in 2020.
“COVID-19 has devastated businesses big and small, including many in the LGBTQ community,” said Scott Miller and Tim Gill, co-chairs of the Gill Foundation. “It’s critical that we preserve and protect LGBTQ history and the places that have shaped the equality movement. As the oldest continuously operated LGBTQ bar in New York City, Julius’ has served as an important gathering place for LGBTQ advocates, leaders, and everyday people looking for a safe place to be themselves. The famed ‘Sip-In’ at Julius’ in 1966 was instrumental in the long march toward equality and is part of the reason why the bar is on the National Register of Historic Places. We’re honored to give back to an institution that’s given our community so much and hope this contribution will ensure Julius’ continues to be an iconic home to LGBTQ equality for many years to come.”
“Julius’ is proud to be at the center of so much history for the LGBTQ community in NYC and beyond,” said Julius’ Bar owner Helen Buford. “This generous match will help us keep our doors open and allow us to focus on getting our staff back to work so we can continue serving the LGBTQ community. We’re beyond grateful.”
The Gill Foundation has a long record of preserving and protecting LGBTQ history. In June 2020, the foundation made a contribution to help save the iconic Stonewall Inn, which was on the brink of closure due to the pandemic.
In 2014, the Gill Foundation partnered with the National Park Foundation to bring together LGBTQ scholars to identify places and events associated with the story of LGBTQ Americans for inclusion in national parks and programming. The study commissioned chapters that specifically provided broad historical contexts for African American, Latinx, Asian American Pacific Islander, two-spirit, transgender, and bisexual communities.
As part of the partnership with the National Park Foundation, the Gill Foundation was instrumental in getting Stonewall designated as the first LGBTQ National Monument in 2016, and the foundation remains committed to protecting the historic site. The ultimate goal is a permanent exhibition and visitors center near the Stonewall Inn to commemorate its important history.
Since launching the Gill Foundation in 1994 and through other organizations they created or supported, Tim Gill and Scott Miller have given more than $500 million to advance LGBTQ equality.
Additional links and articles:
- https://patch.com/new-york/west-village/foundation-steps-help-iconic-village-gay-bar-stay-afloat
- https://www.lesbianbarproject.com/
- https://www.gofundme.com/f/savequeerspaces
- http://bostonreview.net/gender-sexuality/samuel-clowes-huneke-death-gay-bar