Tour Description
Explore Boston through the lens of its LGBTQ+ past on this engaging walking tour. From the hidden histories of the 18th century to the activism and community-building of the 20th and 21st, this tour traces the stories, individuals, spaces, and events that shaped queer life in the city.
We'll visit key sites that speak to instances of persecution, resistance, and celebration. You’ll hear about Bostonians who challenged gender norms, writers and artists who inspired new generations to oppose social mores, and the bars and clubs that served as incubators for Boston’s LGBTQ+ community and the burgeoning Gay Liberation Movement. We'll talk about Boston’s first Pride March, landmark court cases, and the contributions of local leaders whose legacies continue to shape the fight for equality today.
Whether you're a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, this tour offers a deeper, more inclusive understanding of Boston's evolving identity.
Tour Information
Public Tour Calendar
Private Tours
This tour can be booked online as a private tour with at least 2 weeks' advance notice. Make your booking today!
Wisdom Walks
This tour is also available in a slower-paced format designed for small groups of seniors. These tours are two hours long and include time for discussion and reflection. Thanks to support from Boston’s Age Strong Commission, BBF offers a limited number of these adapted tours free of charge to senior groups living in the City of Boston. Learn more about our Wisdom Walks tours or request this as a Wisdom Walks tour using the link below.
Starting Location
Meet your guide in front of the Massachusetts State House steps on Beacon Street, across from Boston Common.
Finding Your Guide: All guides carry an 8×11 sign that says “Boston By Foot Walking Tours.”
Nearest Accessible MBTA Station: Park Street (Red & Green Lines)
Ending Location
This tour ends in the general area of 133 Clarendon Street, by the John Hancock Building.
Nearest Accessible MBTA Stations: Copley (Green Line) and Back Bay (Orange Line & Commuter Rail)
