Lambda Archives of San Diego
Formation1987
FounderJess Jessop
Type501(c)(3) nonprofit
Location
  • 4545 Park Blvd., Suite 104, San Diego, California 92116
Coordinates32°44′41.61″N 117°09′45.08″W / 32.7448917°N 117.1625222°W / 32.7448917; -117.1625222
Websitehttp://www.lambdaarchives.org
Formerly called
Lesbian and Gay Archives of San Diego

Lambda Archives of San Diego is a community-powered archives located in San Diego, California. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and share the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in San Diego, Northern Baja California, and the Imperial County region. Lambda Archives preserves varied items such as ephemera, manuscripts, event memorabilia, photographs, textiles, and much more. As of 2019, the collections include approximately 100,000 photographs; about 13,000 of those are digitized.[1]

In 1987, Jess Jessop incorporated the "Lesbian and Gay Archives of San Diego", which would eventually be renamed Lambda Archives of San Diego. The archives started with materials that Jessop and Doug Moore had collected through the years. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the primary focus of Lambda Archives is to preserve LGBT history and culture in the San Diego–Tijuana region.[2]

In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020, Lambda Archives was able to hire its first full-time archivist, but Lambda Archives continues to be fueled by and cared for through the generosity of donors and volunteers, including its volunteer Board of Directors.

Lambda Archives is located in the building owned and operated by Diversionary Theatre, the 3rd oldest LGBTQIA+ theatre in the U.S.

On July 11, 2021, the San Diego Union-Tribune published a cover feature about Lambda Archives for its Sunday Edition Arts & Culture section titled "Pride and preservation: Lambda Archives safeguards San Diego's LGBTQ past."

Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship

On October 5, 2021, Lambda Archives announced the Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship Fund. Larry was a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and for the arts and artists—especially BIPOC artists. He frequently called on LGBTQ+ youth to carry on the legacy of those who came before him. This scholarship has been created in his honor as a way to support youth/young adults in their path to seeking education and training. As the scholarship fund has been designed to benefit college students whose intersecting identities are reflective of Larry T. Baza, funding will be provided to students attending community college in San Diego or Imperial County of any or no gender who are both LGBTQ+ and either Chicano/x, Latinx, or Chamorro.

Programs and Exhibits

City Hall exhibit

In 2010, Lambda Archives co-sponsored the first ever LGBT historical exhibit in San Diego's City Hall titled, "A Celebration of San Diego LGBT History".[3][4]

San Diego History Center exhibit

In 2018, Lambda Archives collaborated with the San Diego History Center to present an exhibit called "LGBTQ+ San Diego: Stories of Struggles and Triumphs". The exhibit, curated by Lillian Faderman,[5] covered the history of LGBTQ people in San Diego and included a portion of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.[6]

Annual Gala

In 2007, the archives began holding an annual gala to build additional support in the community and generating additional donations.

The 2008 Honorees were Cleve Jones and Christine Kehoe.

The 2011 Honorees were Larry Baza, Jennifer LeSar, Doug Case, Carol Pierce, Judi Schaim, Jeff Wynne, George Murphy, Gloria Johnson, Max Disposti, Stewart Bornhoft, Bill Beck, Sara Beth Brooks (Youth Award).[7]

Board of directors

Nicole Verdés (President)  :: Mark Maddox (Vice President)  :: Brianna Mirabile (Treasurer)  :: Matthew Vasilakis (Secretary)

Isabel Cordova  :: Anna Culbertson  :: Gibrán Güido  :: Lisa Lamont  :: India Pierce  :: Hank Ramírez  :: Jae Red Rose

References

  1. ↑ Trageser, Claire (July 11, 2019). "Lambda Archives Stores San Diego's LGBTQ History". KPBS. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Lambda Archives – Heroes, Pioneers & Trailblazers". Gay and Lesbian Times. February 18, 2010. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ↑ "San Diego City Hall Hosting Inaugural LGBT Historical Exhibit" (PDF) (Press release). Office of Councilmember Todd Gloria. July 13, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  4. ↑ Sherman, Pat (July 1, 2010). "Lambda Archives to Host First-ever LGBT-themed Display at City Hall". Gay San Diego. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  5. ↑ McCaffrey, Lara (November 20, 2018). "People of the Year 2018: Lillian Faderman". San Diego CityBeat. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  6. ↑ Rocha, Michael James (July 5, 2018). "History Center Exhibit Explores Evolution of San Diego's LGBTQ+ Community". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  7. ↑ Schwab, Dave (January 21, 2011). "Lambda Archives to Honor LGBT Trailblazers, History-makers at Feb. 11 Fundraising Gala". Gay San Diego. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
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