Lambda Archives of San Diego facts for kids
Lambda Archives logo
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| Formation | 1987 |
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| Founder | Jess Jessop |
| Type | 501(c)(3) nonprofit |
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| Website | http://www.lambdaarchives.org |
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Formerly called
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Lesbian and Gay Archives of San Diego |
Lambda Archives of San Diego is a special place in San Diego, California. It's like a treasure chest for the history of people in the LGBTQ+ community. This includes people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Archives collects, keeps safe, and shares stories from San Diego, Northern Baja California, and the Imperial County area.
They save many different items. These include old papers, notes, event souvenirs, photos, and even clothes. As of 2019, they had about 100,000 photos! About 13,000 of these have been turned into digital files.
Jess Jessop started the organization in 1987. It was first called "Lesbian and Gay Archives of San Diego." Later, its name changed to Lambda Archives of San Diego. Jessop and Doug Moore had already collected many historical items. Lambda Archives is a nonprofit group, which means it works for the public good and not for profit. Its main goal is to protect the history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community in the San Diego and Tijuana region.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Lambda Archives hired its first full-time archivist. An archivist is someone who manages and preserves historical records. The Archives also relies on many kind donors and volunteers. These helpers include the people on its volunteer Board of Directors.
Lambda Archives is located inside the Diversionary Theatre building. This theater is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ theaters in the United States. In July 2021, the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper wrote a special article about Lambda Archives. It was called "Pride and preservation: Lambda Archives safeguards San Diego's LGBTQ past."
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Scholarship for Students
On October 5, 2021, Lambda Archives started the Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship Fund. Larry Baza was a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. He also championed artists, especially those from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) backgrounds. Larry often encouraged young LGBTQ+ people to continue the important work of those who came before them.
This scholarship honors Larry and helps young adults get an education. It is for college students in San Diego or Imperial County. To qualify, students must be part of the LGBTQ+ community. They also need to be Chicano/x, Latinx, or Chamorro.
Community Programs and Exhibits
Lambda Archives works with other groups to share history. They create special displays and hold events.
City Hall Exhibit
In 2010, Lambda Archives helped create the first-ever LGBTQ+ history exhibit at San Diego's City Hall. It was called "A Celebration of San Diego LGBT History." This exhibit showed important moments from the community's past.
San Diego History Center Exhibit
In 2018, Lambda Archives worked with the San Diego History Center. They presented an exhibit called "LGBTQ+ San Diego: Stories of Struggles and Triumphs." This display showed the history of LGBTQ+ people in San Diego. It also included a piece of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Annual Gala Event
Since 2007, Lambda Archives has held an annual gala. A gala is a special party or event. These events help the Archives get more support from the community. They also help raise money for their important work.
Some of the people honored at past galas include:
- In 2008: Cleve Jones and Christine Kehoe.
- In 2011: Larry Baza, Jennifer LeSar, Doug Case, Carol Pierce, Judi Schaim, Jeff Wynne, George Murphy, Gloria Johnson, Max Disposti, Stewart Bornhoft, Bill Beck, and Sara Beth Brooks (who received the Youth Award).
Images for kids
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Lambda Archives logo
