By Bob Morris
It started with a 50-person ensemble from the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus singing “Glory” from the historical drama “Selma” on the atrium staircase. As tears poured from almost all attendees’ eyes, it was clear the exhibition opening was like no other in the San Diego History Center’s past.
So began the 18-month run of the “LGBTQ+ San Diego: Stories of Struggles and Triumphs” exhibition at the San Diego History Center, a collaboration with Lambda Archives of San Diego and curated by noted LGBTQ+ historian and bestselling author Lillian Faderman, Ph.D.
The exhibition invites visitors to share an informative and affecting experience, reflecting on the struggles of persecution and the triumphs of community seeking equality. The exhibition provides a catalyst to raise awareness, promote tolerance, and inspire greater sensitivity in our community. More than 150,000 people have experienced “LGBTQ+ San Diego” and it continues to break attendance records at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park.
IMPACT
“LGBTQ+ San Diego” has become more than an exhibition; it has provided an ideal venue for San Diego students to connect classroom learning with real-world issues of social justice thanks to the San Diego History Center’s Busses for Diversity education program. Busses for Diversity was generously funded with a grant from The Imperial Court de San Diego and AT&T League Employee group with a matching gift from AT&T. The program provides interactive and discussion-based experiences to promote greater understanding and tolerance.
In addition to youth, SDHC has become a venue for diversity training for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Approximately 750 detention deputies have participated in a diversity training program with San Diego Pride and the San Diego History Center. The history center provides a venue for the sheriffs away from their usual workplaces to focus on education and humanizing the stories of LGBTQ+ discrimination to better serve the community.
AWARDS
San Diego has had a very positive response to the exhibition, which is reflected in the many media accolades and awards “LGBTQ+ San Diego” has received, including proclamations from state and local governments.
The history center received the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Award at the 43rd annual Nicky Awards ceremony. The award was presented to the history center by the Hon. Toni Atkins, president pro tempore of the California Senate.
Each year, San Diego Pride seeks community-wide nominations for their Spirit of Stonewall Awards. The San Diego History Center was honored to receive the 2019 Spirit of Stonewall Award for the “LGBTQ+ San Diego” exhibition.
CELEBRATIONS
The history center celebrated many LGBTQ+ milestones, none more significant than the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, for which SDHC welcomed a high-energy enhancement to the exhibit titled “Legendary Drag Queens of San Diego.” Featuring nine of San Diego’s most beloved and enduring drag , he exhibit cast a spotlight on the philanthropic contributions of the drag community and its influence on LGBTQ+ equality.
“LGBTQ+ San Diego” celebrated San Diego Pride 2018 and 2019 with receptions, lectures, and community presentations and San Diego History Center staff and volunteers continued the tradition of marching in the San Diego Pride Parade.
San Diego Rotary Club 33 recognized the San Diego History Center with its 2019 Peace Award for creating the first ever LGBTQ+ exhibit in a Balboa Park museum and fostering peace in our community.
‘LGBTQ+ San Diego’ 2.0
Throughout the course of “LGBTQ+ San Diego,” the exhibition has had a tremendous impact on the San Diego community, as a meeting space, an educational programming venue, and as a host for diversity training. Therefore, the history center is pleased to announce that the exhibition will be refreshed, renovated, restyled, and reborn within the museum, ready to welcome new visitors to experience this vital history, and with a focused intention on use for needed diversity training.
On Jan. 26, 2020, “LGBTQ+ San Diego: Stories of Struggles and Triumphs” as we know it today will close. It will be relocated and reopened on Feb. 3, in its new incarnation.
The San Diego History Center thanks the public for their overwhelmingly positive response to the exhibition. The history center also thanks its corporate sponsors and the individual donors, contributors, and volunteers who have made the exhibition a reality. Lastly, the history center thanks Lambda Archives for their collaboration, and the “LGBTQ+ San Diego” Community Advisory Board co-chaired by former California state Senator the Hon. Christine Kehoe and businessperson and community activist Mr. Robert Gleason. The help and support given has been an incredible gift to the San Diego History Center and our community, and we are proud to continue this impactful work.
—Bob Morris is an advancement consultant at the San Diego History Center.
