Spring 2008 Newsletter

Recent BiGLATA Events

Queer History: A Behind-the-Scenes Visit to the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco, CA

BiGLATA hosted a visit to the internationally renowned GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco on February 10, 2008. Founded in 1985, the Historical Society has been dubbed the "Queer Smithsonian" by the San Francisco Chronicle. The visit included a tour of the museum and an inspiring behind-the-scenes look into the society's archives, which are normally closed to the public.

The tour was introduced to the Historical Society's ongoing recovery of the history of GLBT people in the Bay Area and beyond. The group had a chance to see artifacts, photographs and manuscripts never before displayed, and heard the stories they tell about the amazing lives of our queer forbears.

In addition, the group viewed the current shows in the society's galleries:

"Out Ranks: GLBT Military Service From World War II to the Iraq War." The nation's first historical exhibit about the lives of GLBT men and women in the U.S. military -- and about the ways queer veterans fought for justice, peace and social change.

"Lautrec in Leather: Chuck Arnett and the San Francisco Leather Scene." The first-ever retrospective of San Francisco artist Chuck Arnett (1928-1988), whose paintings and graphics capture the erotic dynamism of the emerging leather and SM scene in starting in the early 1960s.

The mission of the GLBT Historical Society is to increase public understanding, appreciation, and affirmation of the history and culture of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other sexual minority individuals and communities. For more information, call 415.777.5455 or visit http://www.glbthistory.org/.

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