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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
Communities
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
Men in drag, circa 1900s, image (front) and inscription (back)
1
media/Homestead_EDITED men in drag and inscription_thumb.jpg
2024-04-17T16:21:49-07:00
Beth McDonald
0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
44987
1
A cabinet card photograph of two men dressed as women with an inscription on the back "To Daddy, His first wife. Los Angeles. Calif." ca 1900s.
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2024-04-17T16:21:49-07:00
Beth McDonald
0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
This page has tags:
1
media/Crossdressing women 1.jpg
2024-04-24T20:38:55-07:00
Beth McDonald
0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
LGBTQ+ Life in California
Beth McDonald
9
gallery
2024-04-30T15:25:01-07:00
Beth McDonald
0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
Contents of this tag:
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media/Crossdressing women 1_thumb.jpg
2024-04-29T15:01:29-07:00
Two cross-dressing women, undated
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2024-04-29T15:04:59-07:00
1
media/Crowd at GCS 1971_thumb.jpg
2024-04-29T15:07:17-07:00
Crowd at Gay Community Services Center, 1971
3
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2024-04-29T15:18:36-07:00
1
media/Crossdressing women 2_thumb.jpg
2024-04-29T15:03:50-07:00
Two cross-dressing women, undated
3
plain
2024-04-29T15:04:37-07:00
1
media/CSPG_28808_thumb.jpg
2024-04-17T12:38:52-07:00
Prop 8 What Should We Amend Next?, 2008
2
Gay/Straight Alliance
The oposter features a historic black and white photograph of a young black girl standing at a water fountain next to a tree. On the tree is a sign that reads "colored". Pink text over the photo reads "Prop 8 What should we amend next?"
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2024-04-17T12:39:24-07:00
1
media/CSUDH_Two Gentlemanly Figures_thumb.png
2024-04-25T10:24:38-07:00
Having A Drink on Catalina Island, undated
2
A black and white photograph of two feminine figures in suits and hats on Santa Catalina Island. One figure is pouring a beverage into a cup in the other figure's hand.
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2024-04-25T10:25:09-07:00
1
media/CSUDH_Finocchios_thumb.png
2024-04-25T10:10:47-07:00
Finocchio's: House of the Fabulous Female Impressonators, undated
2
A postcard of Finocchio's, that was a nightclub and bar in San Francisco. It shows five female impersonators standing in the back and five sitting in the front. The steps are a black and white checkered pattern and the background appears to be the stage. From left to right, starting in the back, a performer is wearing a bright pink robe with light pink feather lining, a silver patterned dress, silver shoes, and bright pink long earrings. Next the performer is wearing a pink and gold robe with a high collar, a pink dress, and a pink wig. The center performer is wearing a bright pink dress with a black belt. Next the performer is wearing a black and silver waistcoat with bright pink harem pants. At the end of the back row is a performer in a dark purple robe and dress, with peacock feathers and a peacock feather headdress. The five women in the front row are seated, all in similar 1920s flapper dancer outfits in different colors. From left to right, the first two women are turned slightly to the left and are in light purple outfits with pink feather headbands. In the center, facing forward, she is in a yellow dress with a green feather headband. Next, turned slightly to the right, she is in a dark purple dress and a dark purple feathered headband. Lastly, also turned to the right, she is in an orange dress and has an orange feathered headband.
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2024-04-25T10:27:08-07:00
1
media/WAClark_vestibule_ceiling_thumb.jpg
2024-04-19T15:20:47-07:00
Clark Library vestibule ceiling, 1925
1
Allyn Cox, Clark Library vestibule ceiling, 1925, photographed by Reed Hutchinson, 2015; UCLA William Andrews Clark Memorial Library. Caption: According to Clark Library oral history, the male nudes featured across the library’s vestibule ceiling all have the face of Harrison Post, William Andrews Clark, Jr.’s lover.
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2024-04-19T15:20:48-07:00
1
media/CSPG_19530_thumb.jpg
2024-04-17T13:08:41-07:00
March on Irvine for Lesbian and Gay Rights, 1990
1
Orange County Visibility League
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2024-04-17T13:08:41-07:00
1
media/Muscle Beach 3.2.3920_resized_thumb.jpg
2024-04-19T15:43:36-07:00
Mr. Muscle Beach Contest, 1950
1
Bill Beebe Collection, 3.2.3920. At its original location in Santa Monica, Muscle Beach was a gathering place for fitness gurus and bodybuilding enthusiasts. In the 1940s and 1950s, it was also a cruising spot for gay men and women, and the advent of physique photography with Muscle Beach models often featured homoerotic portraits.
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2024-04-19T15:43:36-07:00
1
media/CSUDH_lgbtq_001_thumb.jpg
2024-04-17T14:20:27-07:00
Mother Vol. 1, no. 1, June 1971
1
LGBTQ Publications Collection
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2024-04-17T14:20:27-07:00
1
media/SMHM Beebe 3.2.5334_thumb.jpg
2024-04-19T16:23:50-07:00
Ginger Rogers Beach, 1941
1
Bill 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.
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2024-04-19T16:23:51-07:00
1
media/cabk_contact_Rocco_thumb.jpg
2024-04-15T15:20:08-07:00
Contact: A Directory of Gay, Homosexual, and Lesbian Feminist Organizations and Resources, 1977
1
The 7th Imperial Court de Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. Periodicals collection
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2024-04-15T15:20:10-07:00
1
media/Homestead_EDITED men in drag and inscription_thumb.jpg
2024-04-17T16:21:49-07:00
Men in drag, circa 1900s, image (front) and inscription (back)
1
A cabinet card photograph of two men dressed as women with an inscription on the back "To Daddy, His first wife. Los Angeles. Calif." ca 1900s.
plain
2024-04-17T16:21:49-07:00
1
media/SMHM_Crystal Beach_thumb.jpg
2024-04-19T16:36:51-07:00
Bathers on Crystal Beach, 1920
1
Fred 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.
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2024-04-19T16:36:51-07:00
1
media/cavf_lgbtq_maps_0001_thumb.jpg
2024-04-15T15:29:49-07:00
Fun Map Palm Springs/San Diego, 1991
1
Vertical Files: Gay and Lesbian
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2024-04-15T15:29:50-07:00
1
media/Homestead_Couple kissing_thumb.jpg
2024-04-17T16:24:24-07:00
Two women embracing and kissing, 1923
1
A photograph of two women embracing and kissing each other, dated December 6, 1923.
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2024-04-17T16:24:24-07:00
1
media/Main Street 170.2.58_resized_thumb.jpg
2024-04-19T16:38:24-07:00
Main Street, Santa Monica, undated
1
170.2.58 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.
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2024-04-19T16:38:24-07:00
1
media/camp_LACounty_2000_gay_lesbian_LA_history_thumb.jpg
2024-04-15T17:01:08-07:00
Gay & Lesbian L.A. history map, 2000
1
Maps collection
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2024-04-15T17:01:08-07:00
1
media/Huntington13_mssMolina_b0239_f11_001_thumb.jpg
2024-04-18T15:11:24-07:00
A letter from the California Lavender Smokefree Network sent to Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, March 31, 1995
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Box 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.”
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2024-04-18T15:11:24-07:00
1
media/cams_kilgore_b006_f002_gay_usa_thumb.jpg
2024-04-16T12:36:27-07:00
Gay U.S.A. '76 broadside, 1976
1
Ray N. Kilgore LGBTQ ephemera collection
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2024-04-16T12:36:27-07:00
1
media/WAClark_Bx_12_f_9_WACjr_portrait_thumb.jpg
2024-04-19T15:17:39-07:00
Portrait of William Andrews Clark, Jr., 1925
1
Murillo Studios, Portrait of William Andrews Clark, Jr., 1925; Pre-1934 Clark Institutional Archives, Box 12/Folder 9, UCLA William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
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2024-04-19T15:17:40-07:00
1
media/capd_Prodigal_001_thumb.jpg
2024-04-16T12:42:23-07:00
The Prodigal, Vol. II, No. 20, May 21, 1971
1
Circulating Periodicals collection
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2024-04-16T12:42:24-07:00
1
media/WAClark_Bx_11_Fld_5_H_Post_Portrait_thumb.jpg
2024-04-19T15:19:20-07:00
Portrait of Harrison Post, 1920
1
: Consuelo Kanaga, Portrait of Harrison Post, 1920; Pre-1934 Clark Institutional Archives, Box 11/Folder 5, UCLA William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
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2024-04-19T15:19:20-07:00
1
media/River Club bar drag show August 1982.jpg
2024-04-25T11:25:09-07:00
Beth McDonald
0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
Defying Expectations
Beth McDonald
4
gallery
2024-04-30T11:40:08-07:00
Beth McDonald
0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
Contents of this tag:
1
media/Crossdressing women 2_thumb.jpg
2024-04-29T15:03:50-07:00
Two cross-dressing women, undated
3
plain
2024-04-29T15:04:37-07:00
1
media/Crossdressing women 1_thumb.jpg
2024-04-29T15:01:29-07:00
Two cross-dressing women, undated
3
plain
2024-04-29T15:04:59-07:00
1
media/CSUDH_Two Gentlemanly Figures_thumb.png
2024-04-25T10:24:38-07:00
Having A Drink on Catalina Island, undated
2
A black and white photograph of two feminine figures in suits and hats on Santa Catalina Island. One figure is pouring a beverage into a cup in the other figure's hand.
plain
2024-04-25T10:25:09-07:00
1
media/CSUDH_Finocchios_thumb.png
2024-04-25T10:10:47-07:00
Finocchio's: House of the Fabulous Female Impressonators, undated
2
A postcard of Finocchio's, that was a nightclub and bar in San Francisco. It shows five female impersonators standing in the back and five sitting in the front. The steps are a black and white checkered pattern and the background appears to be the stage. From left to right, starting in the back, a performer is wearing a bright pink robe with light pink feather lining, a silver patterned dress, silver shoes, and bright pink long earrings. Next the performer is wearing a pink and gold robe with a high collar, a pink dress, and a pink wig. The center performer is wearing a bright pink dress with a black belt. Next the performer is wearing a black and silver waistcoat with bright pink harem pants. At the end of the back row is a performer in a dark purple robe and dress, with peacock feathers and a peacock feather headdress. The five women in the front row are seated, all in similar 1920s flapper dancer outfits in different colors. From left to right, the first two women are turned slightly to the left and are in light purple outfits with pink feather headbands. In the center, facing forward, she is in a yellow dress with a green feather headband. Next, turned slightly to the right, she is in a dark purple dress and a dark purple feathered headband. Lastly, also turned to the right, she is in an orange dress and has an orange feathered headband.
plain
2024-04-25T10:27:08-07:00
1
media/River Club bar drag show August 1982_thumb.jpg
2024-04-29T13:06:31-07:00
River Club bar drag show, August 1982
2
plain
2024-04-29T13:06:56-07:00
1
media/MHL_70192683-70192684_Garbo-impersonator_thumb.jpg
2024-04-12T14:26:09-07:00
Greta Garbo impersonator, undated
2
Two photographs of a Greta Garbo impersonator, one with his dresser and one in profile. Neither person is identified. Collection: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production and biography photographs.
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2024-04-12T14:53:01-07:00
1
media/StudioOne_Backlot_pierce_ann-margaret c1977_thumb.jpg
2024-04-29T15:53:54-07:00
Ann Margaret and Charles Pierce at Studio One, circa 1977
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2024-04-29T15:54:14-07:00
1
media/Homestead_EDITED men in drag and inscription_thumb.jpg
2024-04-17T16:21:49-07:00
Men in drag, circa 1900s, image (front) and inscription (back)
1
A cabinet card photograph of two men dressed as women with an inscription on the back "To Daddy, His first wife. Los Angeles. Calif." ca 1900s.
plain
2024-04-17T16:21:49-07:00
1
media/HSLB_Object_ImperialCrown_thumb.JPG
2024-04-18T12:52:28-07:00
Dorothy Bigmouth Imperial Crown, undated
1
Daryl Laris/Dorothy Bigmouth Collection. Part of a larger collection from one of the first Imperial Court queens and gay rights activist, Daryl Laris also known as Dorothy Bigmouth. The collection includes documents, photographs, and memorabilia.
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2024-04-18T12:52:28-07:00
1
media/outwords_Strachan_David_profile_thumb.png
2024-04-11T15:15:26-07:00
David Strachan Outwords profile
1
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2024-04-11T15:15:27-07:00
1
media/MHL_70194621-70194622_Adrian-Thompson_thumb.jpg
2024-04-12T14:51:01-07:00
Adrian Thompson, undated
1
Two portraits of Adrian Thompson. In the left hand photograph, Thompson is in drag, in the right hand he is wearing a suit. Collection: Mack Sennett papers.
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2024-04-12T14:51:02-07:00
1
media/MHL_72355832-72355831-72355829_Charles-Pierce_thumb.jpg
2024-04-12T16:11:20-07:00
Charles Pierce and Virginia Grey
1
Envelope addressed to Virginia Grey from Charles Pierce with stamp of a milk carton featuring Pierce as Bette Davis, postmarked September 30, 1996. Letter from Charles Pierce to Virginia Grey, dated September 30, 1996. photograph of Virginia Grey backstage at one of Charles Pierce's shows, circa 1984. Collection: Virginia Grey papers.
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2024-04-12T16:11:20-07:00
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media/CSPG_Drag March_thumb.jpg
2024-04-17T11:59:19-07:00
Drag March, 2023
1
A pair of posters for "A Demonstration Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
Two posters side by side. Both posters have bright pink backgrounds with the words "Drag March" repeated in black text except for one repeat in yellow. Over the text on one poster is a hand holding a stiletto heel, over the text in the other is a smiling drag queen. The copy at the bottom of both posters reads "A demonstration against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Sunday, April 9, West Hollywood park"
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2024-04-17T11:59:19-07:00