GLBT Historical Society Celebrates Castro Exhibit Opening

Filed Under Arts, Exhibits, Gay Events, History | December 15th, 2008 

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (PRNewswire) — On December 18th, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Historical Society will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open its newest exhibit Passionate Struggle: Dynamics of San Francisco’s GLBT History.

The exhibit, located at the corner of 18th and Castro streets in the heart of the City’s main GLBT district, has been open in preview since the release of the MILK film on November 26th, but will formally open on December 18th. “During our previews, thousands of people have come through,” said the exhibit’s Co-Curator Don Romesburg. “My favorite, though, was when Harvey Milk’s gay nephew, Stuart Milk, thanked us for so respectfully and powerfully displaying elements of his uncle’s life and death. Straight couples, families, long-time Castro residents, queer youth groups, tourists, and politicians have all told me how moving the show has been for them. Passionate Struggle speaks volumes to the importance of the GLBT Historical Society and how relatable our community’s history can be to so many people.”

The opening ceremony will feature private tours of the items on display by the exhibit’s curatorial team, speeches by GLBT Historical Society Staff and a ribbon-cutting by San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who helped the Historical Society secure Washington Mutual’s donation of the space and a major grant from Levi Strauss & Co.

The exhibit features artifacts, documents, images, video and audio that illustrate four key themes in GLBT history — People, Places, Politics and Pleasure. Several artifacts from Harvey Milk, the subject of the film MILK, are also on display.

“We’ve wanted to bring some of the key items from our archives to the Castro for so long,” said Paul Boneberg, Executive Director of the GLBT Historical Society. “We’re showcasing our community’s treasures and celebrating the GLBT Historical Society’s vital role at the home for our history.”

Source: The GLBT Historical Society