SF GLBT Historical Society Museum

Dykes on Bikes zooming by on motorcycles wearing leather jackets. A little boy holding a sign professing his love for his trans parent. Hundreds of thousands of people crowding into San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza. These are but three of the images on display in a new photography exhibition, “50 Years of Pride,” opening online on May 15 on the GLBT Historical Society’s website. The exhibition is presented by the society and the San Francisco Arts Commission Galleries with the support of San Francisco Pride, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. In addition its online incarnation, the exhibition will ultimately […]

Upcoming Online Events Fighting BackLove in the Time of COVID-19: Pandemic Sex Wednesday, May 66:00–7:30 p.m.Online forumFree | $5.00 suggested donation What about sex? The AIDS epidemic transformed the way that members of the LGBTQ community — and indeed people around the globe — discussed and practiced sexual activity. Technology has radically changed the ways that people meet. And now, COVID-19. A panel of sex educators, activists and a historian will consider how we find connection, sex and love in the era of coronavirus, applying lessons learned from HIV/AIDS prevention efforts to help strategize safer-sex options in the present. Some questions […]

Thirty years ago, at the height of the AIDS crisis, the anonymous, San Francisco–based cultural activist collective Boy With Arms Akimbo/Girl With Arms Akimbo took a unique approach to AIDS activism. The group carried out street postering campaigns, media appropriation initiatives and other forms of visual intervention to promote queer pro-sex messages and respond to attacks by anti-sex reactionaries. Deploying posters, stickers and protest signs, Akimbo juxtaposed images of safe-sex acts with representations of political, religious and social leaders noted for their homophobia and AIDS-phobia. Isabelle Alfonsi, a French researcher and gallery owner, consulted the Boy With Arms Akimbo/Girl With Arms […]

We’re so excited about the GLBT Historical Society’s upcoming annual gala, “Reunion: Chosen Family.” Our hostess Juanita MORE! is planning a spectacular evening of great food, wine, celebrity guests and entertainment. Our silent auction will offer exceptional lots including historic LGBTQ photographs and posters, travel packages and fine dining. Atop San Francisco’s newest iconic skyscraper, the Salesforce Tower, the venue offers breathtaking, panoramic views of our city. In addition to the glitz, our gala is really an opportunity to connect with our supporters, and show our deep gratitude to our staff, board and volunteers. It’s a time to reflect on how far we’ve come, […]

One of the GLBT Historical Society’s key goals is to facilitate student access to LGBTQ history. We do this through a multipronged approach, overseeing opportunities for student engagement both at the museum and at the archives. Since the opening of the GLBT Historical Society Museum in 2011, we have offered docent-led tours to students at all levels. Of the nearly 80 museum tours we conducted in 2018, over half were provided to student groups.  Personalizing the HistoricalFor many students, the museum is their first exposure to queer history. Others have heard of well-known figures such as Harvey Milk, but are amazed […]

In 2011 California ratified the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful Education Act, a law that mandates the inclusion of the political, economic and social contributions of people with disabilities and LGBTQ people in educational textbooks and the social studies curricula in California public schools. The legislation was groundbreaking in its own right, but was only a first step. Real change involves updating textbooks and classroom materials, providing teacher support and fighting efforts to water down or undermine the requirements of the statute. Eight years after passage of the FAIR Education Act, History Happens is checking in with two California educators to learn how the […]

Neighborhood EventCastro Art Walk at the GLBT Historical Society Museum Thursday, September 56:00–9:00 p.m.The GLBT Historical Society Museum4127 18th St., San FranciscoFree The GLBT Historical Society Museum is participating in September’s Castro Art Walk, a monthly event in the Castro neighborhood on the first Thursday of the month. Participating merchants extend their business hours to host special events and share artwork with the neighborhood. Drop by the museum during your self-guided tour of the Castro and enjoy our exhibitions at your own pace. Entry is free and the museum will remain open until 9:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. More information […]