GLBT Historical Society Celebrates GLBT History Month

(www.glbthistory.org/passionate_struggle/index.html).

• With Passionate Struggle ending October 18, this is one last chance for people to explore and interact with some of the most revered artefacts of GLBT history. Exhibits at the Historical Society’s Downtown Office to close in October include LINEAGE: Matchmaking in the Archive and The Fabric of Our Lives: Lesbian Quilting Project, Women’s Textiles and Tees.

• Our Castro site is located at 499 Castro Street at the corner of 18th Street and is open Wednesday-Saturday, 12-8pm and Sundays, 12-6pm (except holidays). Our downtown office and archive is at 657 Mission Street, Suite 300, between New Montgomery and Third Street. Exhibit hours there are Tuesday through Saturday, 1-5 pm.
• Passionate Struggle traces elements of the GLBT communities’ affinities and differences. It takes visitors from the bedrooms and back rooms to the bookstores and bars, from Harvey Milk‘s victories to transgender sex workers’ riots, from social movements to secret fantasies.
• Items in the exhibit all come from the GLBT Historical Society’s world-reknown archive, and include Sylvester’s pink and silver pantsuit from the 1979 Castro Street Fair, displayed on a life-size mannequin; the original hand-drawn plans of the giant Maestrapeace mural now enfolding the Women’s Building; the sewing machine of Gilbert Baker, who in 1978 stitched the very first rainbow flag; and one of most talked about artefacts, the suit and shoes Supervisor Harvey Milk wore when he was assassinated.
• Passionate Struggle opened in November 2008 and has become the GLBT Historical Society’s most visited and talked-about exhibit ever. Castro visitors, residents, and merchants have appreciated how the Historical Society’s prominent presence adds a much needed cultural anchor and economic driver to the neighbourhood that will be difficult to match. The exhibit attracted over 2,000 visitors a month from more than 40 countries.
• At the Passionate Struggle exhibit visitors will be able to support the GLBT Historical Society. In addition to stand-alone memberships starting at $30, free memberships will be included with ticket purchase to Unmasked: The GLBT Historical Society’s first-annual Halloween Gala on October 29 in the beautiful beaux arts Green Room of the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center.

About GLBT History Month and the GLBT Historical Society

• GLBT History Month is endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association, and other national organizations. In 2006, Equality Forum assumed responsibility for GLBT History Month.
• The GLBT Historical Society maintains one of the preeminent archives of GLBT historic materials in the world.

Supporting Quotes

• “For nearly a quarter century, our institution has been zealously collecting and lovingly preserving queer historical materials from the memorable to the sometimes seemingly mundane,” said Paul Boneberg, Executive Director GLBT Historical Society. “The month of October is extremely important to the GLBT community as we celebrate our own GLBT History Month and National Coming Out Day on October 11. It’s only fitting that the GLBT Historical Society can help to honour our past and inspire the future with free admission for everyone.”
• “Passionate Struggle was a defining exhibit for the GLBT Historical Society over the past year and it has contributed more than we ever could have imagined to our community,” said San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty. “From the national accolades to simple messages of ‘thanks’ from visitors, the impact of a GLBT history museum in the heart of the Castro was great. As the Passionate Struggle exhibit comes to a close, I look forward to working with the GLBTHS on future opportunities and congratulate them on a very successful run.”

Supporting Resources

• GLBT Historical Society (www.glbthistory.org)
• Passionate Struggle Exhibit (http://www.glbthistory.org/passionate_struggle/index.html)
• Memberships (https://www.kintera.org/AutoGen/Simple/Donor.asp?ievent=273930&en=dkLXK7OIIgLSJ0PILdLWK7NHLiJVKcNUKjIXJdMUIdLXJlP6E)
• Gala Tickets (https://www.kintera.org/AutoGen/Register/ECReg.asp?ievent=317848&en=6nJJLMNgH9LEJFMgE6KIIMMfGbLHKRNAIgJJIWNxFiKMKTOoE8INJ4L)