NYC Marathon Named A 'Safe Space' By Iconic Gay Bar Stonewall Inn

WEST VILLAGE, NY — The TCS New York City Marathon happening on Sunday has been named a "Safe Space" for its inclusion efforts among the LGBTQ+ community by the historic Stonewall Inn in the West Village.

It is the first sporting event ever to be declared a Safe Space, according to marathon organizers.

This year's race will be the first time that the New York City Marathon — or any Abbott World Marathon — will give out prize money to non-binary runners. New York Road Runners (NYRR), who organizes the race, introduced non-binary time qualifying standards in June 2021.

Stonewall Inn at 53 Christopher St. will hold an event with the NYC Marathon organizers on Friday in honor of the Safe Space certification.

The following people will be in attendance.

• Nikki Hiltz: 2019 Pan American Games champion, six-time NCAA Division I All-American, nonbinary transgender advocate
• Stacy Lentz: Co-owner of The Stonewall Inn, CEO & Co-founder of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, LGBTQ+ community activist
• Kurt Kelly: Co-owner of The Stonewall Inn, Co-founder of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative
• Kerin Hempel: CEO, NYRR
• Erica Edwards-O’Neal: SVP, Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, NYRR
• Ted Metellus: Race Director, TCS New York City Marathon
• Gilbert Gaona: President, Front Runners New York

"The Stonewall Inn is the original safe space for the LGBTQ+ community," reads a news release from the New York Road Runners.

Read More: NYC Marathon 2022 Guide: Course Map, How To Watch, Road Closures