Hidden Histories: Discovering Los Angeles' LGBTQ+ Collections

Santa Monica Public Library

Founded in 1890, the Santa Monica Public Library provides resources, services, and a place to encourage the community to read, connect, relax, and learn.

LGBTQ+ topics and themes represented in the collections held by the Santa Monica Public Library include LGBTQ+ activism and Politics.

Featured Collections

Abdo (Judy) photo album collection, 1960-1997*
A long time activist, Judy Abdo’s career in public service paralleled many of the major events in Santa Monica’s progressive political movement, including rent control, anti-AIDS discrimination ordinance, environmental issues, and early childhood education. In 1988, Abdo became the first openly lesbian elected to Santa Monica’s city leadership, serving on the city council from 1988 to 1996, including two terms as mayor.
WAVES Santa Monica Lesbian & Gay Alliance collection, 1987-1991*
WAVES Santa Monica Lesbian and Gay Alliance was founded in 1987 by and for the LGBTQA+ community. Donated from WAVES members Judy Abdo and Steve Taravella, this collection includes meeting minutes, newsletters, photographs, brochures, and flyers. The materials illustrate the many accomplishments of the organization.

*online materials available

Contact the Santa Monica Public Library

For more information about the Santa Monica Public Library's LGTBQ+ collections and holdings, including citation and copyright information, please contact Kathy Lo. 

✉ Email: kathy.lo@santamonica.gov
☎ Call: 310-458-8687
The Santa Monica Public Library is an L.A. as Subject member. For more information about L.A. as Subject, visit their website here.

This page has paths:

This page has tags:

This page references: