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Seeking Stories of Queer California: A Hidden Histories Online ExhibitMain MenuIntroductionGalleriesA guide to each of the online galleries in this digital exhibit, grouped by topic or theme.ArtsAsian & AAPI LGBTQ+ peopleBisexual PeopleBlack LGBTQ+ PeopleDefying ExpectationsGay menHIV/AIDSLatino/a/x LGBTQ+ peopleLesbiansLGBTQ+ ActivismLGBTQ+ DiscriminationLGBTQ+ Life in CaliforniaMarriage and FamiliesPoliticsPrideReligion and SpiritualityTransgender People
Communities
1media/oedipus golden bull.jpg2024-04-22T15:06:00-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0449877gallery2024-04-30T11:34:21-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0LGBTQ+ 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 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
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:
1media/lookingforlesbians.jpgmedia/ONE bookshelves.jpg2024-04-11T11:36:57-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Seeking Stories in Queer CaliforniaBeth McDonald11book_splash15150512024-04-26T14:57:45-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
This page has tags:
1media/lookingforlesbians.jpg2024-04-25T15:55:49-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0GalleriesBeth McDonald7A guide to each of the online galleries in this digital exhibit, grouped by topic or theme.structured_gallery2024-04-29T18:53:09-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
Contents of this tag:
1media/Crowd at GCS 1971_thumb.jpg2024-04-29T15:07:17-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Crowd at Gay Community Services Center, 19713media/Crowd at GCS 1971.jpgplain2024-04-29T15:18:36-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/HSLB_Object_Membership_1350_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T13:00:11-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Membership card to the 1350 Club, 19812Historical Society of Long Beach Collection. The 1350 Club was a gay bar in Long Beach.media/HSLB_Object_Membership_1350.jpgplain2024-04-18T13:00:29-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Studio-One_Backlot_rocco_couple_dancing_thumb.jpg2024-04-29T13:20:10-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Couple dancing at Studio One, undated2media/Studio-One_Backlot_rocco_couple_dancing.jpgplain2024-04-29T13:20:31-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/LAPLPhoto_00041651_thumb.jpg2024-04-17T16:35:30-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Gay Dating Service Head, 19822Michael Haering, Herald Examiner Collection/Los Angeles Public Library. Seated at his desk on August 17, 1982, is David, who runs a gay dating service.media/LAPLPhoto_00041651.jpgplain2024-04-17T16:36:36-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Golden Bull_1_resized_thumb.jpg2024-04-19T15:39:10-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0The Golden Bull, 20232Opened in 1949, the Golden Bull restaurant has played host to the likes of Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Christopher Isherwood. A haunt for Hollywood elite and the Canyon’s bohemian coterie, the Golden Bull also welcomed openly gay clientele from an early date.media/Golden Bull_1_resized.jpgplain2024-04-19T15:41:08-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/LGBT Center sign_thumb.jpg2024-04-29T15:44:03-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0LGBT Center sign - Sin comunidad, no hay liberación, undated2The text is the Spanish translation of a quote by Audre Lorde. In English, it says "Without Community, there is No Liberation."media/LGBT Center sign.jpgplain2024-04-29T15:44:16-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Women applauding graduate_thumb.jpg2024-04-29T16:00:16-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Marie Cartier graduation celebration, 20102Women applauding Marie Cartier at a party celebrating her graduating from Claremont College with a PhD in theology. Hot Java coffeehouse was transformed into a gay women's bar from the 1950s. The Front row: Marie Cartier in cap and gown and Carolyn Weathers in rhinestone glasses. Middle row: unknown, Jayne Doolittle-Swanson in striped shirt and Jeanne Cordova in hat. Back row, mostly obscured, Pat Lamis in hat, unknown woman with hands in air. May 22, 2010.media/Women applauding graduate.jpgplain2024-04-29T16:05:30-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/HSLB_Object_GoldRecord_Etheridge_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T12:49:23-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Gold record for "Melissa Etheridge" album by Melissa Etheridge, 19882Historical Society of Long Beach Collection. Given by Melissa Etheridge to Ellen Ward, whose bar The Que Sera was an important LGBTQ+ friendly space that gave Etheridge a standing weekly gig.media/HSLB_Object_GoldRecord_Etheridge.jpgplain2024-04-18T12:50:13-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Supreme Court photo 1994_thumb.jpg2024-04-29T15:56:03-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Robert Arthur, Ivy Bottini, Quentin Crisp, Morris Kight, and Patricia Nell Warren, 19942The "Supreme Court Photo" with Robert Arthur, Ivy Bottini, Quentin Crisp, Morris Kight, and Patricia Nell Warren taken at home of Victor Burner. 1994.media/Supreme Court photo 1994.jpgplain2024-04-29T16:08:10-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/SMHM_Crystal Beach_thumb.jpg2024-04-19T16:36:51-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Bathers on Crystal Beach, 19201Fred Basten Collection, 170.2.67. Located in the strip between Ocean Park and Hollister Avenue, Crystal Beach was a well-known gay-friendly beach during the post-war period. Many gay bars and taverns lined the oceanfront, and the Crystal Beach and Rendezvous Ballroom bathhouses (the latter visible in the background of this photo) were well-known cruising spots.media/SMHM_Crystal Beach.jpgplain2024-04-19T16:36:51-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/capd_Prodigal_001_thumb.jpg2024-04-16T12:42:23-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0The Prodigal, Vol. II, No. 20, May 21, 19711Circulating Periodicals collectionmedia/capd_Prodigal_001.jpgplain2024-04-16T12:42:24-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/HSLB_Publication_TheCenterNews1986_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T13:05:08-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0The Center News, 19861Historical Society of Long Beach Collection. The Center is a non-profit organization in Long Beach that provides resources to the LGBTQ+ community. These publications represent different times and topics, showing a long expanse of time.media/HSLB_Publication_TheCenterNews1986.jpgplain2024-04-18T13:05:08-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Main Street 170.2.58_resized_thumb.jpg2024-04-19T16:38:24-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Main Street, Santa Monica, undated1170.2.58 Santa Monica History Museum, Fred Basten Collection. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Main Street played host to several gay and lesbian bars, including The Pink Elephant Saloon (1973-1985) located at 2810 Main, Bar Sinister (1978-1981) located at 2709 Main, and Pier XII (1969-1976) located at 2722 Main.media/Main Street 170.2.58_resized.jpgplain2024-04-19T16:38:24-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/cavm_lgbtq_posters_outcast_24_thumb.jpg2024-04-16T12:52:28-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Outcast, circa 19781Ray N. Kilgore LGBTQ ephemera collectionmedia/cavm_lgbtq_posters_outcast_24.jpgplain2024-04-16T12:52:28-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Huntington13_mssMolina_b0239_f11_001_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T15:11:24-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0A letter from the California Lavender Smokefree Network sent to Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, March 31, 19951Box 239, Folder 9, Gloria Molina Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California Additional description: Molina, who famously favored the color purple, wrote “What is Lavender?” on the letter. Alma Martínez, her chief of staff, attached a note, responding, “I believe it’s a gay/lesbian solidarity color. Learn something new every day.”media/Huntington13_mssMolina_b0239_f11_001.jpgplain2024-04-18T15:11:24-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/cavm_lgbtq_posters_stud_thumb.jpg2024-04-16T13:16:15-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Poster for the Stud Bar, circa 19781LGBTQ posters collectionmedia/cavm_lgbtq_posters_stud.jpgplain2024-04-16T13:16:15-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/SS Friendship_resized_thumb.jpg2024-04-19T15:40:51-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0ShoreBar, formerly the S.S. Friendship, 20231After Prohibition was repealed, Doc Law turned his drugstore-slash-speakeasy into the S.S. Friendship bar in 1938. A unique example of mimetic architecture, the Friendship was a popular gay hangout for decades, and was the model for the gay bar in Christopher Isherwood's novel A Single Man.media/SS Friendship_resized.jpgplain2024-04-19T15:40:51-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/CHS_Hey Young Lesbians_thumb.jpg2024-04-12T16:39:16-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Hey Young Lesbians, undated1California social, protest, and counterculture movement ephemera collection, SOC MOV EPH; Box 1, Folder 13; California Historical Society.media/CHS_Hey Young Lesbians.jpgplain2024-04-12T16:39:16-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/HSLB_Button_DanceMarathon_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T12:30:29-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0First Ladies Memorial Dance Marathon button, 19781Button Collections, Historical Society of Long Beach Collectionmedia/HSLB_Button_DanceMarathon.jpgplain2024-04-18T12:30:29-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/highways_2_resized_thumb.jpg2024-04-19T15:42:17-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Highways Bar, 20231Highways opened in 1989, quickly becoming known for radical work. In the 1990s, Highways highlighted the devastating effects of the AIDS pandemic. It is home to the second-oldest AIDS memorial in the US and continues to showcase performance art that celebrates queer stories and sex positivity.media/highways_2_resized.jpgplain2024-04-19T15:42:17-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/cams_kilgore_b006_f002_beverly_cinema_thumb.jpg2024-04-15T12:40:49-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0The Beverly Cinema Club broadside, circa 19721Ray N. Kilgore LGBTQ ephemera collectionmedia/cams_kilgore_b006_f002_beverly_cinema.jpgplain2024-04-15T12:40:50-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/HSLB_Object_BarsMatches_Details_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T12:42:55-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Matchbook from Details: a place to Dine and Dance, undated1Historical Society of Long Beach Collection. Photographed for the Coming Out exhibition, part of a much larger artifact collection.media/HSLB_Object_BarsMatches_Details.jpgplain2024-04-18T12:42:55-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Crystal Pier 3.2.3130_resized_thumb.jpg2024-04-19T16:19:01-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Crystal Beach Bathhouse, 19431Located on the Crystal Beach Pier, the Crystal Beach Bathhouse was regarded as a cruising spot for the gay community. It was demolished in 1949.media/Crystal Pier 3.2.3130_resized.jpgplain2024-04-19T16:19:01-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/cabk_contact_Rocco_thumb.jpg2024-04-15T15:20:08-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Contact: A Directory of Gay, Homosexual, and Lesbian Feminist Organizations and Resources, 19771The 7th Imperial Court de Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. Periodicals collectionmedia/cabk_contact_Rocco.jpgplain2024-04-15T15:20:10-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/SMHM Beebe 3.2.5334_thumb.jpg2024-04-19T16:23:50-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Ginger Rogers Beach, 19411Bill Beebe Collection, 3.2.5334 and 3.2.5335. The stretch of Will Rogers State Beach at the bottom of West Channel road is fondly known as “Ginger Rogers Beach” among the LGBTQ+ community. It has been a gay beach hangout since the 1940s.media/SMHM Beebe 3.2.5334.jpgplain2024-04-19T16:23:51-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0