TL;DR
- Stonewall National Museum seeks larger space for LGBTQ+ archives.
- $40 million campaign launched amid funding cuts.
- Museum highlights contributions of queer figures in history.
- Political climate affects support for LGBTQ+ history.
- Importance of preserving queer stories emphasized.
In a world where LGBTQ+ history is often sidelined, the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale is stepping up to ensure our stories are told—and they’re doing it with a bold $40 million capital campaign. Yes, you heard that right! This museum is overflowing with queer history, and it’s time for a bigger space to showcase it all.
CEO Robert Kesten has revealed that their current setup is bursting at the seams. “We really had to do something dramatic,” he said, and that means finding a new location. With shelves overflowing and boxes spilling into off-site storage, they’re on the hunt for a place that can house the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ history they’ve curated since the museum’s inception in 1973.
But hold on—this isn’t just a simple relocation. The museum is facing a political storm. Thanks to the recent cancellation of federal and state grants, part of the anti-diversity push from the previous administration, they’ve lost a whopping $125,000 in expected funding. Talk about a kick in the gut! Kesten noted, “The politicization of this funding makes it even more challenging to secure support for LGBTQ+ historical and cultural programming.”
Yet, amidst the challenges, hope shines through. They recently secured a grant for a historic exhibition commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, focusing on Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a military strategist believed to be gay. His contributions to the American Revolutionary War are a testament to the impact of diverse identities in shaping our nation. “Look at a gay man’s contribution to the United States’s revolutionary cause,” Kesten emphasized. “We are confronted with the history that we face today.”
As the museum prepares to highlight stories like von Steuben’s, it’s clear that this work is crucial. In a time when LGBTQ+ individuals are being targeted and marginalized, preserving our history is more important than ever. Kesten passionately stated, “We have an obligation to remind people of the great contributions our community has made to the world.” The museum’s collection spans from the riots at the Stonewall Inn to the AIDS activism of the 1980s, and it’s a vital resource for understanding our past and fighting for our future.
So, what can you do? Support the Stonewall National Museum and help them secure a space that reflects the richness of our history. Every contribution counts in the fight to keep our stories alive. Visit stonewall-museum.org to learn more about how you can help. Because when it comes to LGBTQ+ history, we can’t afford to be silent.