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A Brief History of the LGBTQ+ Community in Puerto Rico

A Brief History of the LGBTQ+ Community in Puerto Rico

Sylvia Rivera was a key figure.

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Israel Melendez Ayala
Jun 11, 2025
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A Brief History of the LGBTQ+ Community in Puerto Rico
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On San Sebastián Street in Viejo San Juan, you'll find Sombrilla Rosa. It’s a gay bar that describes itself as “straight-friendly,” and it is owned by Rosa, a longtime resident of Viejo San Juan and a member of Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ+ community. Many locals and tourists frequent Sombrilla Rosa, including celebrities. It's open every day, except during Pride Month.

“Photo Essay: Marching toward equity in the streets of San Juan,” Scalawag Magazine, December 2018, accessed June 9, 2025, https://scalawagmagazine.org/2018/12/lgbtq-puerto-rico/.

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