‘On The Queer Waterfront’ is the first exhibition ever devoted to the LGBT history of Brooklyn, and it all came about after the curator noticed a lack of information on the topic in the borough.

Curator Hugh Ryan felt there had to be more information on Brooklyn's LGBT history after a disappointing trip to a library. So, he did his own research.

Ryan managed to write a book on the topic, then came up with an idea for the exhibit. Its purpose is celebration and education.

"I know for me personally, I see a few artifacts that are from areas where I've lived in New York, worked in New York and I think that connection that while these places may look different today, they really do have a history," says Jesse Ayala, of Brooklyn Heights.

Brooklyn's LGBT history can be traced back as far as the 1850s with famous poet Walt Whitman.

The exhibit will be on display at the Brooklyn Historical Society until Aug. 4.