COMING 2027 TO ARLINGTON, VA
In honor of Dr. Lilli Vincenz, Arlington lesbian activist & therapist.
Lilli was the first lesbian photographed on a Washington, D.C. picket line for LGBT+ rights, and the first to appear on the cover of a national LGBT+ publication, as well as the first to document pivotal points of our history on film in "Gay and Proud.”
Lilli also ran a secret, illegal lesbian bar in her living room in Arlington, VA for the entirety of the 1970's called the "Gay Women's Open House" at great risk to her own safety, but for the betterment and community of the gay and sapphic community in Northern Virginia during that time.
Read more about Lilli here.
Lilli's Bar will be a safe, welcoming, inclusive space for sapphic, lesbian, and gender diverse folx who want to build community, experience queer joy, and celebrate our roots.
Lesbian owned by SC Nealy, Arlington lesbian activist and therapist.
Here's what to expect from us coming up:
- Launch of official logo coming soon
- Launch of our official fundraising website
- Our first pop-up and fundraising event
- Opening day!
We are beginning to collect donations to help us, through grassroot efforts, bring Lilli's to life in Arlington, VA!
You can also support us by following us on social media at @lillis.dmv on Instagram and Facebook!
The first step in opening the perfect bar? Finding the perfect space!
We're on the hunt for a metro-accessible, second generation location with a kitchen to become the home for Lilli's. If you have any leads, please let us know!

SC Nealy (they/she pronouns) is a licensed psychotherapist, author of over 35 books, and local activist for LGBT+ rights in Virginia and the DMV.
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