History was made today in American civil rights with the Supreme Court ruling that legalizes same-sex marriage across all 50 states. The ruling is a major push toward marriage equality in the U.S., but like several historically marginalized communities, one giant obstacle that the LGBTQ community continues to face is cultural preservation and protection, in addition to spreading the awareness of that historical legacy both externally and internally.

You win some and unfortunately lose some in the unpredictable nature of preserving heritage sites, but proactivity is key. One such group is the Rainbow Heritage Network, a developing coalition of over 400 preservationists and gay rights activists who advocate for the protection of LGBTQ heritage sites in the U.S. as one of their primary missions. Reportedly established only this past January, the group is working to gain more traction in their long-term efforts to protect LGBTQ sites on a local, state and federal level.

For starters, Rainbow Heritage has gotten involved with the National Register of Historic Places' LGBTQ Heritage Initiative. Announced last May by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, the ongoing initiative aims to identify places and events associated with the American LGBTQ narrative for inclusion in the National Park Service's parks and programs. Earlier this month, Secretary Jewell announced the Henry Gerber House in Chicago as the nation's second LGBT-related site to be designated as a National Historic Landmark (following the Stonewall Inn in New York City).

Some places that the Rainbow Heritage Network has set their sights on include the Reed Erickson Home in Baton Rouge, the Harry Hay Home in Los Angeles, Bloodroot in Bridgeport, CT, and the Washington D.C.-based Guild Press, to name a few.

h/t Curbed

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