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LGBTQ+ in Midtown, History and Today

October 5th, 2022

It is impossible to speak of LGBTQ history and culture in Midtown without mention of the Lavender Heights District. The neighborhood is rich with the history of Sacramento’s vibrant community; and attracts local and regional residents and tourists to the area’s many LGBTQIA+ owned clubs, restaurants, salons, galleries, and retail stores. Lavender Heights is located at the heart of Midtown at 20th and K Streets and is the home of our weekly Midtown Farmers Market.

History of Lavender Heights and Midtown

In 1978, just nine years after the Stonewall Riots, the Lambda Community Fund, now known as the Sacramento LGBT Community Center was originally incorporated as a special assistance program based in Midtown, Sacramento. 

In 1984, Gay activist Rev. Jerry Sloan of Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) successfully sued Rev. Jerry Falwell in 1984 for televised comments Falwell made against MCC, Sloan used a portion of the money awarded to him to later open the first physical iteration of the SAC Center, Lambda Community Center.

In 1985, Faces Nightclub was the first gay club in Sacramento when it opened its doors at 20th and K Street. “When I opened it, it was where everyone who was gay could go, that was 33 years ago,” Faces owner Terry Sidie said, in an interview with ABC10 in 2017. The establishment of Faces paved the way for other LGBTQIA+ businesses to open in the immediate area, which earned its name Lavender Heights.

1986, the Lambda Community Center opened to serve the broader cross-section of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Programs served LGBTQ+ people to lead self-sufficient, healthy, well-adjusted lives, and provided advocacy for issues of importance within the community.

In 1998, the Lavender Library was founded by eight community members as a research and information institution for queer people in Sacramento and continues operation today on 21st Street.

In 2001, the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce was founded to unify and support LGBTQ businesses, as well as to foster a more equitable business climate.

In 2015, Sacramento City Council member Steve Hansen, Sacramento’s first openly LGBTQ+ council member, invited the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce to be part of a community coalition to pursue official city designation of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood of Midtown Sacramento historically known as Lavender Heights. The name Lavender Heights name became official in 2015, an achievement memorialized by the unveiling of the rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of 20th and K Street.

 The rainbow crosswalks were designed as a celebration of the region’s LGBT community and are similar to those in other U.S. cities, including Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and West Hollywood. This project was a collaborative effort of the Midtown Association, the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, and Councilmember Steve Hansen. The crosswalks are maintained and supported by the Midtown Association, which is committed to ensuring Midtown remains a thriving center for culture, creativity, and vibrancy.

In 2017, a documentary was released about a woman who founded the Sacramento LGBT Community Center (then called the Lambda Community Center) after bringing a successful lawsuit against a reverend. Titled “Legends of Courage: The Rosemary Metrailer Story” highlights actions leading up to the legal action against the Rev. Jerry Falwell, which led to the founding of the Center by Metrailer in 1984. 

In 2019, the Sacramento LGBT Community Center moved into its forever home at 1015 20th street, in the heart of the Lavender Heights district. The Center continues to offer peer support groups for a variety of marginalized populations, community resource referrals to meet individual basic needs, education, and training to improve the competency of businesses and organizations to LGBTQ+ issues, numerous artistic expressions, and cultural activities that build community, and volunteer opportunities that empower individuals to give back.

In 2021, Midtown Association partnered with WEAVE Inc., The Sacramento LGBT Community Center, The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, Faces Nightclub, and Outword Magazine to launch PRIDE, Pronouns & Progress: Gender Inclusion Training, a new grant program and series of workshops for interested Midtown and Central City businesses. The free, hour-long inclusivity training sessions for grant recipients will be led by WEAVE in a virtual format to focus on three primary topics: educating interested businesses about gender identities, gender rights in the workplace and beyond, and the importance of pronouns that go well beyond he/him/his and she/her/hers to include gender-neutral or inclusive pronouns. 

In February 2022, as part of a partnership between Midtown Association and the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, 10 vibrant new banners are now proudly displayed on 20th Street between J and K Streets — including in front of the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. The colorful banners were specially designed to demonstrate and celebrate #MidtownLove, acceptance, and inclusion in the heart of Lavender Heights. In addition to the banners on 20th Street, the new eye-catching and whimsical “Love is in our roots” rainbow vegetable art wraps were installed on utility boxes on 21st Street.

 

In 2022, new resources for LGBTQ people continue to emerge in the Lavender Heights district, most recently with the opening of the Lavender Courtyard in July 2022 to provide compassionate and affordable housing to LGBTQ seniors.

Today, Lavender Heights is home to weekly farmers markets and seasonal block parties and serves as the hub for Pride events to celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture and community. Amenities such as the rainbow crosswalks and public art further declare the neighborhood as a space for people to take pride in being unapologetically themselves.

Lavender Heights Events

Lavender Heights is full of weekly, seasonal, and annual events:

 

Midtown Farmers Market – Every Saturday Year-round

Shop from 5 blocks of local farmers, artisans, and vendors from the Lavender District. Midtown Farmers Market is open every Saturday year-round. Learn More

 

Makeup & Mimosas Drag Brunch – Every Sunday at Badlands

Sundays are a Drag! Sip on mimosas and watch extravagant performances from local Drag Queens every Sunday at Badlands. Learn More

 

Drag Queen Bingo – First Thursday of the month at Mango’s

Drag Queen Bingo is a monthly charity fundraising event located hosted at Mango’s Sacramento. Come play bingo every first Thursday and enjoy comedic performances by Drag Host-with-the-most, DoMe Moore. Learn More

 

THIS916 Block Party – May through October

THIS916’s seasonal block party series brings 20th Street between J and K Streets to life with local and renowned musical artists. Learn More

 

Sacramento Rainbow Festival – Labor Day Weekend

Sacramento Rainbow Festival is a huge street celebration of Pride that takes over the intersection of 20th & K Streets. This festival brings top notch live entertainment and local vendors together for a celebration of Sacramento’s LGBTQIA+ community to raise public awareness and funds for LGBTQIA+ charitable organizations. Learn More

 

Find more events

 

LGBTQIA+ Resources

Sacramento LGBT Community Center: The Sacramento LGBT Community Center creates events, programs, and pathways to services that help lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people feel welcome, needed, and safe. The Center’s website provides several links to community resources including Advocacy, Arts and Culture, Community, Social, Health & Wellness, and more.

Rainbow Chamber: The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber has a member directory of LGBTQ-owned and ally-owned businesses in Sacramento. If you are looking to support these businesses that give back to our community check out the directory!

Visit Sacramento: Visit Sacramento has featured LGBTQ+ friendly itineraries, blogs, and more for visitors and residents alike.

One Community Health: One Community Health is a non-profit health care provider serving the needs of the Sacramento Community. The center is a proven leader in LGBTQ health issues, including HIV and AIDS health issues, and is regarded as a safe space for LGBTQ community members to receive healthcare.

Outword Magazine: Outward Magazine is the leading LGBTQ magazine for Central and Northern California. For over 25 years, they have been producing content for queer locals that includes local queer news, events, and highlights of community members.

 

Come see Lavender Heights for yourself and tag @exploremidtown on social media! Make sure to also check out our LGBTQIA+ Business Guide and support LGBTQIA+ owned businesses in Midtown!