Hidden Histories: Discovering Los Angeles' LGBTQ+ Collections Main Menu Hidden Histories: Discovering Los Angeles' LGBTQ+ Collections Welcome to Hidden Histories! Discovering Los Angeles' LGBTQ+ Collections! What is Hidden Histories? A partnership between ONE Archives at USC and L.A. as Subject, Hidden Histories' goal is to create a centralized resource of LGBTQ+ archival material for researchers and community members. Participating Institutions L.A. as Subject member institutions from across Southern California have joined with ONE and LAAS to collaborate on this project. Topical Guide Collections from participating institutions organized based on the subject or topic of the materials.

Santa Monica Public Library

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

Topics and themes represented in the collections held by the Santa Monica Public Library include gay men, lesbians, LGBTQ+ activism, and politics.

Featured Collections

Abdo (Judy) photo album collection*
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 and Gay Alliance collection*
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 California Historical Society's LGTBQ+ collections and holdings, including citation and copyright information, please contact Kathy Lo. 

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

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