Seeking Stories of Queer California: A Hidden Histories Online Exhibit Main Menu Introduction Galleries A guide to each of the online galleries in this digital exhibit, grouped by topic or theme. Arts Asian & AAPI LGBTQ+ people Bisexual People Black LGBTQ+ People Defying Expectations Gay men HIV/AIDS Latino/a/x LGBTQ+ people Lesbians LGBTQ+ Activism LGBTQ+ Discrimination LGBTQ+ Life in California Marriage and Families Politics Pride Religion and Spirituality Transgender People

Communities

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LGBTQ+ communities come in many forms: social networks, support groups, advocacy organizations, and cultural events. The creation of third spaces, whether by assimilating an existing space or creating a new one, was an act of defiance, a way to be seen and accepted, and a method for survival. Queer communities and spaces can be focused on a single group or embrace people from all backgrounds and experiences, but all provide avenues for connection, support, and advocacy, enabling members to uplift each other, challenge societal norms, and create positive change.

Collection Information

For more information on the materials in this gallery, see their holding institutions.

California Historical Society
Hey Young Lesbians Flyer

California History Section, California State Library
Beverly Cinema Club broadside
Contact: A Directory of Gay, Homosexual, and Lesbian Feminist Organizations and Resources
Fun Map of Palm Springs and San Diego
Outcast bar poster
The Prodigal newsletter
Stud bar poster

Historical Society of Long Beach
The Center News
Details matchbook
First Ladies Memorial Dance Marathon button
Melissa Etheridge Gold Album
Membership card to the 1350 Club

The Huntington Library
Letter to Gloria Molina

LAPL Photograph Collections
Gay Dating Service Head

Santa Monica History Museum
Bathers on Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach Bathhouse
Ginger Rogers Beach
The Golden Bull
Highways Bar
Main Street, Santa Monica
ShoreBar, formerly the S.S. Friendship

This page has paths:

  1. Seeking Stories in Queer California Beth McDonald

This page has tags:

  1. Galleries Beth McDonald

Contents of this tag:

  1. Crowd at Gay Community Services Center, 1971
  2. Oedipus Motorcycle Club members outside The Golden Bull Steakhouse in Santa Monica, 1991
  3. Couple dancing at Studio One, undated
  4. The Golden Bull, 2023
  5. Gay Dating Service Head, 1982
  6. LGBT Center sign - Sin comunidad, no hay liberación, undated
  7. Marie Cartier graduation celebration, 2010
  8. Robert Arthur, Ivy Bottini, Quentin Crisp, Morris Kight, and Patricia Nell Warren, 1994
  9. Gold record for "Melissa Etheridge" album by Melissa Etheridge, 1988
  10. Membership card to the 1350 Club, 1981
  11. Outcast, circa 1978
  12. A letter from the California Lavender Smokefree Network sent to Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, March 31, 1995
  13. ShoreBar, formerly the S.S. Friendship, 2023
  14. Poster for the Stud Bar, circa 1978
  15. Highways Bar, 2023
  16. Hey Young Lesbians, undated
  17. First Ladies Memorial Dance Marathon button, 1978
  18. Crystal Beach Bathhouse, 1943
  19. The Beverly Cinema Club broadside, circa 1972
  20. Matchbook from Details: a place to Dine and Dance, undated
  21. Ginger Rogers Beach, 1941
  22. Contact: A Directory of Gay, Homosexual, and Lesbian Feminist Organizations and Resources, 1977
  23. Bathers on Crystal Beach, 1920
  24. Fun Map Palm Springs/San Diego, 1991
  25. Main Street, Santa Monica, undated
  26. The Prodigal, Vol. II, No. 20, May 21, 1971
  27. The Center News, 1986