Over the years the main floor of San Diego City Hall has hosted varying exhibits from many diverse communities, but for the first time in San Diego’s history, it will host an exhibit depicting the history of the GLBT community. San Diego City Hall, located at 202 C Street will host this exhibit from July 13 to July 24. This inaugural exhibit: A Celebration of San Diego LGBT History, in honor of GLBT Pride Month, is presented by the Lambda Archives of San Diego and the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. In addition the exhibit is sponsored by the San Diego GLBT Pride, the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA), Imperial Court, the City of San Diego Human Relations, the Human Rights Campaign/San Diego, and the GLBT Center. The exhibit will feature approximately 1100 square feet of historical GLBT community treasures and will also feature a GLBT national and local timeline starting in the 1970s to the present. This will be the first time a GLBT exhibit, sponsored by Lambda Archives and the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast of San Diego, has graced San Diego City Hall.

City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez is the brainchild of the exhibit. He states, “It is long overdue that the GLBT community, like other San Diego communities, showcases our city’s diversity, as well as educates those who visit City Hall. It’s time to celebrate the history and contributions GLBT citizens have made to our city.” Support for the exhibit was given by City Councilman Todd Gloria, “I am proud that City Hall will honor the history of the GLBT community by hosting an exhibition of Lambda Archives of San Diego. By highlighting the extensive range of role models who were instrumental in strengthening our community and all of San Diego, the Lambda Archives and the Harvey Milk Diversity Committee facilitates understanding, education and appreciation among all of our neighbors with this exhibit.” said Gloria.

The exhibit will display varying features of the GLBT community over the years with a timeline beginning in 1970 to the present day. Other displays will include GLBT related performers, sports culture, military, marriage and faith, HIV/AIDS, civil rights, diversity, youth, the origins of Pride, politics, and community leadership. The display cases will house t-shirts and buttons from other eras, found locally and nationally. A collage of at least 50 different pictures including local GLBT celebrities and public figures such as Rupaul, Greg Louganis, Adam Lambert, Harvey Milk (stationed in San Diego during his time in the military), Pride leaders (Empress and the Imperial Court), metropolitan community leaders, and women’s organization leaders. There will also be a massive 60 people poster of local and national state leaders. In addition there will be a listing of GLBT businesses and bars that have proven to be a prominent staple in the community, as well as mannequins that will model unique and fun clothing.

Professional archivists and members of the Board of the Lambda Archives Kelly Revak and Patrick Salveagierra worked hard on this exhibit. Other professionals involved included nationally known top designer Mick Metzger, who donated his time and expertise for the sole reason that San Diego could see its first GLBT exhibit displayed in City Hall. “The City of San Diego has been amazing in working with the GLBT community as well as with the City Hall store that was cleared for this event. I’m sure we can all agree that we highly appreciate the work and effort that these amazing groups do for San Diego and the GLBT community.” stated Metzger.

The exhibit will be opened with a special ribbon cutting ceremony at City Hall on July 13th. The Exhibit Committee is being headed by Commissioner Ramirez and Lambda Archives President Frank Nobiletti, who stated “This historic exhibit is one that we invite and welcome all San Diegans to view and learn about their GLBT friends and neighbors, especially young students.” Preliminary designs for the upcoming exhibit have been produced and will give community members and the City of San Diego a taste of what is to come. For more information on the exhibit, call 619-502-0747 or 619-692-1967.