Seeking Stories of Queer California: A Hidden Histories Online Exhibit

Gay men

Men who self-identify as gay and belong to gay communities. Predominately used to describe men who are exclusively or primarily romantically and/or sexually attracted to other men, though "gay" is sometimes used as an identifier by people of all genders or as a collective term. Seen and unseen, gay men have made significant contributions to society, through activism, advocacy, art, science, and culture. Though gay men are sometimes the face of the queer community, they are far from a monolith. They have unique journeys of self-discovery, navigating societal expectations, stereotypes, and discrimination to be seen and understood.

Collection Information

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

ASU FIDM Museum
Blue Check suit by Gilbert Adrian
Designer Rudi Gernreich in his office
Gown by Gilbert Adrian
Tan Suit Ensemble by James Galanos

California Historical Society
Lesbians and Gay Men the Grand Jury's in Town

California History Section, California State Library
Data Boy, Issue 136: Film
Don't Give Him Anything but Love
Magpie of California

Gerth Archives & Special Collections, California State University Dominguez Hills
Gay Sunshine no. 6
Lavender Godzilla: Voices of the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance

Historical Society of Long Beach
Membership card to the 1350 Club
Painted Rocks by Ray Lowen

The Huntington Library
Don Bachardy, portrait of Stephen Spender
Don Bachardy, portrait of Truman Capote
The Gay Times, interview with Joseph Hansen titled “Simple Lessons”
Joseph Hansen, “Why I wrote Early Graves”
Newspaper clipping from photograph album showing Christopher Isherwood and W.H. Auden
Photo of William Haines at his holiday home
Photo booth photographs of Don Bachardy and Christopher Isherwood
Souvenir featuring Don Bachardy from a party thrown by producer Allan Carr in honor of Truman Capote

LAPL Photograph Collections
Gay Dating Service Head
Gay Fathers Group
Gay Marriage Case

Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences
Charles Pierce and Virginia Grey
Flier advertising A Different Light bookstore's 1989 Gay Writer Series events
Gregg Araki
Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome
Kenneth Anger
My Beautiful Launderette
Poster and Call sheet for Making Love
Rock Hudson
Salome
Tea and Sympathy
The Word is Out

The Outwords Archive
Miguel Criado Oral History

Santa Monica History Museum
Crystal Beach bathhouse
Golden Bull
Mr. Muscle Beach Contest

Self Help Graphics & Art
Butch/Top
Intertwined
Y Que

University of California Riverside Special Collections & University Archives
Cover of manual for "Civil Rights for Lesbians and Gay Men: A Reference Manual for City and County Officials"
Excerpt from Sketchbook 11, Morris Scott Dollens
The World Book of Naders

William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
Portrait of Harrison Post
Portrait of William Andrews Clark

Workman & Temple Family Homestead Museum
Ramon Novarro

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