All of us who have been lucky enough to reach a certain age become aware of the increasing attention that must be paid to maintenance and upkeep. Some of us preservation-minded folks choose to do more, perhaps even a little nip and tuck.

The GLBT History Museum is in need of just this sort of love. Since we opened the doors early in 2011, we've attracted nearly 100,000 visitors to our exhibitions and programs. But there's one downside to all that popularity: Our entry area, front desk and museum store are looking more and more tattered.

What's the other challenge we've noticed now that we're a familiar face in the Castro? Many who live, work, shop or play in the neighborhood walk right by the museum every day without giving us a second glance. With a sassy new look from the street, we'll attract many more visitors to discover the diverse stories of our queer past.

So what's the solution? Today we're launching our Spring Museum Makeover campaign, a 45-day crowdfunding drive not only to spruce up the GLBT History Museum, but also to maximize its potential as a storefront launching pad for community education and engagement in LGBTQ history.

Reaching a Wide Audience

While we continue to develop our longterm plans for the New Museum of LGBTQ History and Culture through our Vision2020 campaign, we know that we also need to focus on ensuring we reach a wide audience in the meantime. That's why your support for our existing storefront museum is crucial today, particularly in the current political climate.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 by May 15. We'll use the funds to give the front of the museum a facelift, including installation of a large video wall visible from the street to display round-the-clock educational exhibits. We also plan to remodel the reception area, shop and Main Gallery entry to make the space more inviting to visitors and more conducive to public presentations.

As you all know, we're facing uncertain times with government funding on the federal level. But we can't let such obstacles stop us from learning about and sharing the stories of the LGBTQ past. The strength and the inspiration we draw from owning our own history is an invaluable resource in the toolkit that LGBTQ people and our friends need to survive the challenging times in which we find ourselves.

Lots of Wonderful Perks

Every dollar you contribute to the Spring Museum Makeover will help us reach our goal, and we have a lot of wonderful perks to show our gratitude. If you're already a member, I thank you. And I ask you to consider taking this opportunity to upgrade your annual membership to another level through the spring campaign. Whether your a member or not, donations large and small are welcome. Please click here now (and please share the link with your friends).