Henry Gerber House, Corn Belt Travel Guide

Located at 1710 North Crilly Court in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood, the Henry Gerber House holds immense significance in LGBTQ+ history. It was in this unassuming brick row house, built in 1885, that Henry Gerber established the Society for Human Rights (SHR) in 1924. The SHR was the first chartered organization in the U.S. to advocate for the rights of homosexuals.Inspired by the gay rights movement in Germany during his time in the U.S. Army of Occupation, Gerber sought to create a similar organization in the United States. From this house, Gerber and the SHR published the newsletter "Friendship and Freedom," one of the earliest known gay civil rights publications in the country. The organization's activities were cut short in 1925 when police raided the house and arrested Gerber.Despite its short existence, the Society for Human Rights marked a turning point in the history of homosexuality in the United States. The Henry Gerber House serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by early LGBTQ+ activists and the ongoing fight for equality. While the house remains a private residence and is not typically open for tours, it was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2001 and a National Historic Landmark in 2015. Visitors can view the exterior of the house and reflect on its importance in LGBTQ+ history. The surrounding Old Town neighborhood, with its charming streets and historic architecture, adds to the experience.