From the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert:
It’s been a busy year and we wanted to share our accomplishments with you, our supporters and friends.
Events & Exhibitions:
January – Info-A-Go-Go – Jan 25
Staffed a table and shared information. Very successful as we collected names, a $100 donation, and information on a collection for the Archives.
April – 85th Anniversary Celebration for City of Palm Springs – April 8
The Archives showed their Inaugural Exhibition, ‘Sharing Our Desert’s LGBTQ+ History,’ at the Welwood Murray Memorial Library. Staffed by 18 volunteers, 275 people attended and $333 was donated.
September – Cinema Diverse – September 30
The Archives sponsored the film, Nelly & Nadine, underwritten by Board member Ronni Sanlo’s company, Strait Knot Productions. A $50 donation from the Palm Springs Cultural Center was received.
October – Out On The Walk – October 11-November 12
Our 3rd major exhibition, Out On The Walk, highlighting the LGBT Honorees on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars, was held in the former Agua Caliente Museum on the Village Green. Staffed by 35 volunteers, 8 Board members. Over 850 people attended and $209 was donated.
PSLOD Pop-Up – October 26
A pop-up exhibition highlighting the gay leather history of Palm Springs during registration for 2023 Leather Pride Weekend at the Hotel Zoso.
In addition to these events, the Archives was a sponsor at several programs at the Mizell Center.
November – AIDS Memorial Quilt Exhibition – November 15-19
Participated in a Mizell Center sponsored program and display of panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt by making a Panel sponsored by the Archives.
Collection:
Donations to the collection were received by 16 individuals & organizations that consisted of publications, posters, scrapbooks, and other memorabilia. Among the largest was the almost-complete run of Gay & Lesbian Times, Desert Pride Center Newsletters, and a large donation of items from the Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert. In addition, though our Acquisition Fund, store credits, and donors, we added 46 issues of MEGA-Scene and 12 issues of The BottomLine to our collection. As of December 2023, the Collection now contains 815 unique items that have been accepted by the Board into the permanent collection.
Fundraising & Grants:
A total of $33,307 was raised in 2023 from grants, sponsorships, and individual donations. Our major grant funds came from the City of Palm Springs, and sponsorships for both the Cinema Diverse film and our major exhibition. In addition, In-Kind donations were also received from the City of Palm Springs for the exhibition space at both the Welwood Murray Memorial Library and the former Agua Caliente Museum space on the Village Green, the Palm Springs Public Library for meeting space, the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce for the Grand Opening of the exhibition Out On The Walk, Lulu California Bistro for the Volunteer Reception, My Little Flower Shop for Board Thank You floral arrangements, and Stephen Baumbach Photography.
Board Organization:
Among the organizational tasks undertaken were the adoption of revised Bylaws, as well as a revised Acquisition Policy. Three founding members, Paul Cain, Michael Green & Lisa Middleton stepped down in December, and three new Board Members, Evan Gray, Magi Raible & Ector Simpson were nominated and elected for three-year terms (2024-2027).
Thank you for your interest, time, donations and support.
David Gray & Julie Warren
Co-Founders & Co-Directors