LGBTQ+ Travelers Are Missing from Route 66 History
Route 66 is celebrating its 100th anniversary with festivals and museum exhibits across America. But writer Alysse Dalessandro noticed that LGBTQ+ travelers are largely missing from the official history.
Route 66 is turning 100 years old this year. Communities along the road are celebrating this big milestone. The road stretches more than 2,400 miles across America. Festivals, museum exhibits, and tributes are happening everywhere.
Route 66 is a very famous road. It is an important part of American history and culture. Many people have traveled it over the past century. It connects Chicago to Santa Monica in California.
But one writer noticed something important. Alysse Dalessandro visited many Route 66 landmarks and museums. She looked carefully at the stories being told. She kept asking herself the same question: where are the LGBTQ+ travelers?
LGBTQ+ people have always traveled across America. They have their own stories about Route 66. But those stories are often not included in official histories. Museums and exhibits do not always show their experiences.
This is a common problem in historical storytelling. Certain groups are left out of the main narrative. LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and women often face this erasure. Their contributions and experiences become invisible.
Traveling as an LGBTQ+ person in America has not always been safe. In the past, it was even more dangerous. There were no legal protections in many states. Finding safe places to sleep or eat was a real challenge. This history deserves to be remembered and honored.
The centennial of Route 66 is a good opportunity. Communities can choose to tell a fuller story. They can include the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ travelers. This would make the history more honest and complete.
Dalessandro's reporting shines a light on this gap. Her work is published in The Advocate. The Advocate is a well-known LGBTQ+ news source. Her observations raise important questions about whose history we choose to celebrate.
As Route 66 marks 100 years, many hope for change. Advocates want LGBTQ+ stories added to museums and exhibits. Representation in history matters. It helps LGBTQ+ people feel seen and valued in American culture.