‘We want to tell their stories’: Congressional Cemetery offers LGBTQ+ history tour

People from across the globe are visiting the nation s capital for WorldPride and while the greater part are here to celebrate at parades parties festivals and concerts various are making a pilgrimage to E Street in Southeast D C That s where Congressional Cemetery is located It is the final resting spot of Mayor Marion Barry journalist Cokie Roberts and former FBI Director J Edgar Hoover It s also thought to be one of the only cemeteries in the world to have an LGBTQ section Selected of the founders of the modern gay rights movement are buried in what is called the gay corner at the cemetery that was first established in During Pride Month the cemetery gives LGBTQ history tours WTOP spoke with Anthony AJ Orlikoff Congressional Cemetery s interim executive director after an afternoon tour Monday Related stories WorldPride DC Here s what happening this week to end the celebration with a bang At the Pride Parade these restaurants and bars offer the best views themed specials A year in the making DC s plan to keep WorldPride celebrations safe We have had so plenty of people coming here to experience gay legacy Orlikoff reported It s about these advocates who really change things in America And we just want people to know their stories During the tour Orlikoff shared stories about Leonard Matlovich and Barbara Gittings who lived in the D C area and people from as far away as Germany France and Puerto Rico Congressional Cemetery has a map with all those interned in the gay corner for self guided tours Source