By Steven Louis Brawley

February 21, 2019: Throughout 2019, the Project will be acknowledging a series of important milestones in local LGBTQIA+ history. Here is our current inventory of anniversaries. Please let us know of any others. Stay tuned for some exciting news about the various regional events that will be taking place to commemorate these milestones.

50th Anniversary of:

• Founding of the Mandrake Society
• St. Louis' Stonewall – Halloween Night Arrests
• Opening of Left Bank Books
• Death of Robert Rayford

40th Anniversary of:

• Founding of Growing American Youth
• 1979 March on Washington (St. Louis participation)
• Washington University's Pride event
• Planning for St. Louis' first Pride events and first Soulard Mardi Gras events
• Firebombing of Mor or Les bar
• Premiere of "Gay Talk" program on KADI radio

30th Anniversary of:

• Crowning of St. Louisan Roger Platt (Vicki Vincent) as Miss Gay America
• Premieres of KDHX FM Radio's "Coming Out of Hiding" Program and KRJY FM Radio's "Lambada Reports" Program
• Premiere of "Some of My Best Friends Are" by Joan Lipkin, the first known piece of gay and lesbian theatre performed in St. Louis

By Steven Louis Brawley

January 10, 2019: 2018 was another great year for the Project. Thanks to our many wonderful volunteers, contributors, and community champions for your support. Here is an overview of the many activities the Project led to fulfill our vision of preserving and promoting St. Louis' vibrant LGBTQIA+ history:

April

• Risky Refuges: Gay and Lesbian Bars in St. Louis, 1930s-1960s presentation with Ian Darnell at Missouri History Museum

June

• History of Drag presentation with Daniel Flier, Jimmy Price, and Cat Schmidt at Missouri History Museum
• Headlines of Hope and Hate exhibit at St. Louis PrideFest with Pride St. Louis, Missouri History Museum, Griot Museum of Black History, and Home Movie Project
• SAGE Lunch and Learn at MCC

July-September

• Faces of LGBTQIA+ St. Louis exhibit at Coffee Cartel (last exhibit before closing)

August

• Celebration of John Chaney (Bonnie Blake's) 90th birthday and recognition of pending status as world's oldest performing drag queen at Bar PM

September

• Betty Neeley's Annual Party in the Park exhibit at Tower Grove Park

September-December

• Documenting the Queer Past in St. Louis community partner project with Dr. Andrea Friedman at Washington University

October

• We Are LGBTQIA+ presentation at St. Louis County Library (Bridgeton Trails)
• Finding Lost Histories in the Modern LGBTQIA+ Alphabet presentation with Ian Darnell, Dr. Andrea Friedman, and Dr. Amanda Izzo at Missouri History Museum
• Pride Alliance student presentation with Ian Darnell at Washington University

November

• Transgender Spectrum Conference exhibit at UMSL

December

• World AIDS Day Memorial Service exhibit at MCC
• Ike's Mystery Man by Peter Shinkle author presentation at Left Bank Books

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Posted September 3, 2018

Coffee Cartel Exhibit

Faces of St. Louis' LGBTQIA+ History

Through September 12, 2 Maryland Plaza

The Project offers an exhibit of rare images at Coffee Cartel. 

St. Louis County Library Bridgeton Presentation

We Are St. Louis: LGBTQIA+

Monday October 1, 2018, 7 pm, Bridgeton Trails Branch

Join author Steven Louis Brawley, a historian specializing in LGBTQIA+ topics and founder of the St. Louis LGBT History Project, as he discusses St. Louis's rich LGBTQIA+ history. Learn about the LGBTQ+ community's countless struggles and successes since 1764, including protests, arrests, murders, celebrations and parades. Free. Registration required.

Missouri History Museum Presentation

Finding Lost Histories in the Modern LGBTQIA+ Alphabet

Wednesday, October 24, 7 pm, Lee Auditorium

Contemporary language descibing the LGBTQIA+ community is a relatively recent development, and it creates a challenge for historical research. Panelists will explore the roadblocks to researching LGBTQIA+ history and offer insights into uncovering lost histories. Free.