March 2016

 

In This Issue

From the Executive Director   

Upcoming Events  

Visit Us 

x
DONATE -- Keep GLBT History Alive! VOLUNTEER -- Many Ways to Get Involved
Queens Feminists to Feministas
Opening This Week: A Vibrant Look at Powerful Women of Color  
x
We're incredibly excited to announce the opening of a  new exhibit of rare posters at the GLBT History Museum, March 4. "Feminists to Feministas: Women of Color in Prints and Posters" contains 29 works of print art from the 1970s to the 1990s that visually trace the power of lesbians, bisexuals, and transwomen of color who rallied for sexual freedom and economic justice in the fight against racism, sexism, and imperialism. The exhibit runs through July 4 at the GLBT History Museum.

Join us for the opening celebration
Friday, March 4, 7 pm-9 pm ($5 suggested donation) 

The distinctly political images presented in "Feminists to Feministas" defy conventional standards of femininity, speak out against legislative abuses that disproportionately affect communities of color, and celebrate the health, beauty, and creativity of queer African American, Latina, and Asian Pacific Islander women. Come feel the power of Audre Lorde, Kitty Tsui, and Pepper from BurLEZk, as is the activism of lesbians and gays against intervention in Central America. See the dyke version of the seductive Calvin Klein underwear advertisements of the 1990s!
 
"The GLBT Historical Society's poster collection represents a remarkable time capsule of our communities' history," says co-curator Lisbet Tellefsen. "The collection is vast in both depth and scope and visually chronicles much of our history: from arts & culture to sex, politics and beyond. I look forward to mining this rich collection for years to come and am excited to offer this small glimpse into the collection with our initial exhibit, 'Feminists to Feministas.'

Adds co-curator Amy Sueyoshi, "So invisible are queer women of color in gay scenes of the Castro, in marriage equality, and in the countless shows that are cropping up with queer characters. Yet so tirelessly do queer women of color work for justice, scrubbing on their hands and knees until their knuckles become raw. I wanted to put together a show that underscored the tremendous cultural and political work that they do without recognition or reward. To them - to us - I dedicate this exhibition."

Read more about the exhibit here, and join the Facebook invitation for the party here


Board From Our New Executive Director 
GLBT Historical Society at a Crossroads
x

 
Executive director Terry Beswick. Photo by Gareth Gooch. 
When I walk through the GLBT Historical Society archives or the museum, I never fail to be moved by the enormity of our community's experiences and the astounding breadth of our individual stories. I'm thrilled, as the Historical Society's new executive director, to play a role in not only collecting and memorializing these rich and varied stories, but in keeping these stories alive and bringing them to new audiences.

This is a responsibility I take very seriously, and I think you should, too.

How can we best preserve, interpret, and present our countless stories of human struggle and triumph? How can we best share these powerful stories with LGBTQ people - and with people who know nothing of our history and culture?

In the coming weeks and months, I will be asking many of you these questions, and also sharing my vision for the organization's future - including the development of a new world-class LGBT cultural museum and archives in San Francisco.

But in the meantime, today the GLBT Historical Society is at a crossroads. While our museum and archives programs continue to produce wonderful work - and we attract packed houses to our exhibit openings, events and forums - community support through memberships and donations has dropped significantly over the last year. Our archives are currently being displaced by skyrocketing rents, and our financial reserve has been erased.

The GLBT Historical Society needs your support today.

I am optimistic for the future of the GLBT Historical Society. But without community support, that future is just a dream. Please consider making a contribution now a www.glbthistory.org. Memberships start at just $30 per year.

I look forward to working with you all. Please send me your thoughts and ideas at terry@glbthistory.org or call me at 415-777-5455, ext. 5#.

Terry Beswick is the new executive director of the Historical Society. Read his
recent op-ed in The Advocate here.
Upcomingevents Upcoming Events

Author Julia Serano
Author Talk
The Last Decade of Transgender Activism    
Thursday, March 10, 7 pm-9 pm
GLBT History Museum
4127 18th St., SF.
$5 suggested donation

In 2007, when bisexual transgender activist and professional biologist Julia Serano first published Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity, there was little-to-no mainstream coverage of trans lives or the issues that impact trans communities.

In this provocative manifesto, she revealed the ways in which fear, suspicion, and dismissiveness toward femininity shape our societal attitudes toward trans women, and gender and sexuality as a whole. To celebrate the release of the second edition of Whipping Girl, Serano will read from the new preface, and talk about the many changes and evolution of both trans people's circumstances and transgender activism since the early 2000s, followed by a Q&A and discussion.

Read more about this event here, and join the Facebook invite here

VisitVisit Us

Curious about our vast queer past?

Like and follow us on Facebook
Subscribe to our YouTube channel



Follow us on Twitter

Exhibitions & Programs

The GLBT History Museum
4127 18th St., San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-1107
Monday & Wednesday-Saturday: 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon-5:00 p.m.
Closed Tuesday.

Special Holiday Hours
Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve: 11:00 a.m-3:00 p.m.
Christmas Day & New Year's Day: Closed 

Archives & Reading Room

The GLBT Historical Society
657 Mission St., Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-5455