Two moms and son embrace on the steps of the Alameda County Courthouse on 1225 Fallon St, Oakland holding up their adoption paperwork. Black and white photograph signed by Cathy Cade.
Black and white photograph of two mothers with son leaving the Alameda County Courthouse stairs holding hands, carrying adoption paperwork and smiling.
Color photograph of Helen James in her home, holding a photo album of her time in the Air Force. Six decades after the Air Force kicked her out for being a lesbian, James was finally awarded the honorable discharge. Approximately 100,000 lesbian and gay veterans were dishonorably discharged from the military since World War II; they were stigmatized, harrassed and denied crucial veterans’ benefits.
Color photograph of the gravesite of Leonard Matlovich reads, "Never Again 6 July 1943 / Never Forget 22 June 1988. A Gay Vietnam Veteran. When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men - And a discharge for loving one."
"Living as a closeted student in TX is hell, can't wait to come to a place like this in the fall. Thank you for the hope <3. - Genderfluid//Pansexual, 4.8.17"
"Thank you for this extremely intersectional + informational exhibit. Excellent + I hope you can keep this in rotation. So important! 4/9/18"
"'Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it!' Thank you for providing such an informative, well-curated and detailed reminder of all we in the LGBTQ have had to endure and of how much we have left. Proud to be a bear! -David, JD '18, a gay Berkeley student."
Attribution:
Bernice Layne Brown Gallery, Doe Memorial Library, UC Berkeley Exhibit "We're Here, We're Queer, and We're in the Public Record!"
"This made me cry. I am a lesbian and seeing how our love has always existed and how we have been ostracized by our government is impactful. Knowing that the government let (primarily) gay men and trans women die of AIDS hurts, knowing that people couldn't have legal access to partners dying of AIDS b/c gay marriage wasn't legal breaks my heart. Most of all, seeing how my community has stuck together and marched in the streets for our rights fills me with unmeasurable pride. We will never go away."
Attribution:
Bernice Layne Brown Gallery, Doe Memorial Library, UC Berkeley Exhibit "We're Here, We're Queer, and We're in the Public Record!"
"Exhibits like these always remind me that queers have forever been here and that it has taken way too long to get where we are. -Jenna, 2nd yr"
"Thank you for this thoughtful exhibit. During increasingly turbulent times it's especially important to shed light on the journey of the oppressed, marginalized, and 'others'. I'm reminded of the exhausting-- often demoralizing road, and thus I'm keenly cognizant of how much we could lose-- again. Christopher //2004//, 5/3/18"
Attribution:
Bernice Layne Brown Gallery, Doe Memorial Library, UC Berkeley Exhibit "We're Here, We're Queer, and We're in the Public Record!"
"thank you. -a gay 2nd year"
"Wonderful collection. Thanks so much! -Alisha"
"<--ditto"
"A beautiful collection. A sobering & inspiring reminder of where we've come from, & the need for vigilance & outreach to protect what gains we've earned. -Nick B. (Class of 2018)"
"I remember... 33 yrs staff; class of 2012 -Jonathan W."
Attribution:
Bernice Layne Brown Gallery, Doe Memorial Library, UC Berkeley Exhibit "We're Here, We're Queer, and We're in the Public Record!"
