Upcoming Events
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The Dykes and Their Friends Between RevolutionsJoin Lambda Archives of San Diego for the first event in our 2026 educational series, "The Dykes and Their Friends Between Revolutions," featuring local Chicana lesbian activists Teresa Oyos and Carolina Ramos in conversation with moderator Liliana Hueso.
This panel discussion will explore the intersections of Chicana identity, lesbian community, and activism in the San Diego-Tijuana binational region. Teresa and Carolina will share their personal histories, the communities they helped build, and the ongoing work of creating space for Chicana lesbians in movements for justice and liberation. "The Dykes and Their Friends Between Revolutions" is Lambda Archives of San Diego's adaptation of the 1977 book title "The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions" by Larry Mitchell. Mitchell's visionary work imagined queer liberation through allegorical storytelling, offering a radical vision of community, resistance, and survival during a time of intense political struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. |
By centering "Dykes" in our series title, we honor the specific histories, activism, and cultural contributions of lesbian and queer women in our region—communities whose stories have often been marginalized even within LGBTQ+ historical narratives. Like Mitchell's original work, our series explores the spaces "between revolutions"—those crucial moments of organizing, community-building, and resilience that sustain movements for justice across generations.
This event is free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $15 to support our mission of collecting, preserving, and sharing local queer history.
This event is free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $15 to support our mission of collecting, preserving, and sharing local queer history.
Past Events
General Project Information
Lambda Archives is excited to announce our second annual intergenerational oral history project and our third annual paid internship program for local LGBTQIA+ youth. The spring 2025 project will focus on pairing teens with elders in the community for an opportunity to connect across generations. Each intern will be paired with an elder and then create a project including a conversational style oral history interview, a history project, a newsletter article, and an exhibit display; all featuring their elder and related topics.
Outside of this internship, our intergenerational programming will also include an all-ages intergenerational connection event on June 21st, 2025. To learn more about this event and RSVP click here.
Read on for more details about getting involved in this project.
Outside of this internship, our intergenerational programming will also include an all-ages intergenerational connection event on June 21st, 2025. To learn more about this event and RSVP click here.
Read on for more details about getting involved in this project.
For Elders
For starters, who is considered an elder? In this context, when we say "elder" we mean anyone older than our teen interns who has experiences and wisdom to share with them. Regardless of your age, we value your voice and want to preserve your narrative.
For this project, we have two opportunities to participate in an oral history interview:
For this project, we have two opportunities to participate in an oral history interview:
- Option one [CLOSED]: Pairing with a teen intern for a 1-2 hour conversational-style interview, after which interns will create a related history project and exhibit piece to be presented at Lambda Archives. Elders who join this project will be asked to participate in the interview, follow up communications with the teen creating a project based on the interview, and the exhibit reception on June 1st, 2025. Due to the in-depth nature of this project, space is limited. If you'd like to learn more about this opportunity please email the Community Education & Engagement Manager at [email protected]
- Option two: Attending our one-day intergenerational connection event on June 21, 2025, where elders will have the opportunity to share their stories and experiences in a 10-30 minute mini oral history interview in the morning as well as attend our all-ages intergenerational connection event in the afternoon. All LGBTQIA+ people in the region are welcome to participate in this event. To learn more and RSVP click here.
- Future opportunities: If you are interested in sharing your story in an oral history interview but are unable to participate in the opportunities listed above, please fill out this form and we will contact you about relevant oral history interview opportunities as they become available.
For Youth
Want to get involved in our intergenerational programming? Check out multiple options for getting involved below:
- Option one: LGBTQIA+ teens age 16-19 as of March 29th, 2025 who live in San Diego County or Imperial County are welcome to apply for our paid internship. This internship will include being paired with an elder for a conversational style oral history interview, and then creating a history project, a newsletter article, and an exhibit display; all featuring their elder and related topics. To learn more and to apply, click > Youth Internship 2025.
- Option two: LGBTQIA+ people of all ages, including teens, are welcome to join our intergenerational connection event on June 21, 2025, 12-2:30 pm. We'll have games, prizes, crafts, snacks, community talking circles, and more! Feel free to bring friends and family, or come ready to make new connections! To learn more and RSVP click here.
For Everyone
LGBTQIA+ people of all ages (families too!) are welcome to join our intergenerational connection event on June 21, 2025. We'll have games, prizes, crafts, snacks, community talking circles, and more! Feel free to bring friends and family, or come ready to make new connections! To learn more and RSVP click here.
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Lambda Archives is excited to present Telling Your Story Across Genres & Mediums featuring local writer Dianna Elizardo. Join us for an exploration of personal storytelling inspired by Autohistoria-teoría, and some hands-on writing/art time. Plus, check out our Queer Literature exhibit and extensive lending library while you're here!
Tuesday, August 12th, 6-8pm At Lambda Archives 4545 Park blvd San Diego, CA Please RSVP here as space is limited. |
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Join us on Friday, October 3rd for a Variety Show & Mini Market Fundraiser - have fun and support local LGBGQ+ history!
5-10 pm | Flash tattoos by @chainesaw, art, & crafts in the Lambda office 8-10 pm | Variety Show at the @clarkcabaret Bonus | Stay after the show for the Clark Cabaret's friday night karaoke at 10pm! Tickets for the Variety Show & Mini Market fundraiser can be found here. This event is 18+ We hope to see you there! |
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Lambda Archives is creating a library of in-classroom projects and activities, developed by local LGBTQ+ educators & students, that utilize Lambda Archives' historical materials and meet the requirements of the FAIR Education Act (Senate Bill 48) and California Content Standards. We want to ensure that the projects we create are made with your input, so that they best suit your needs and those of your students.
Join us for the first in our series of educator symposiums on October 22nd, 5-6 pm, where we'll:
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Established in 2023, Circa: Queer Histories Festival is a month-long, LA County-wide programming series showcasing the trailblazing histories and vibrant cultural contributions of LGBTQ+ communities through the lens of present-day challenges and triumphs.
Lambda Archives is proud to be a part of this important event by hosting a virtual panel discussion with Dr. TJ Tallie to share his work and research: "Whose World Whose Home" delves into queer Black life in San Diego. Join us for this virtual discussion by submitting your RSVP today! https://bit.ly/CircaLASDbit.ly/CircaLASD |
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Whose World, Whose Home: Uncovering San Diego's Queer Black Futures and HistoriesWe're excited to invite you to a powerful evening of discovery and celebration:
WHOSE WORLD, WHOSE HOME: Uncovering San Diego's Queer Black Futures and Histories When: Thursday, July 10th at 6:30 PM Where: Diversionary Theatre Cost: FREE (but seating is limited!) Tickets: Reserve your tickets HERE In collaboration with San Diego Black Pride, please join us for an unforgettable evening exploring Black Queer San Diego history that has never been told in this way before. For the past year, our Community Historian in Residence, Dr. TJ Tallie, has been delving deep into our archives, uncovering the powerful stories of Black Queer San Diegans from 1988 to 2002. |
His groundbreaking research examines how the Queer Black community navigated, defined, and transformed our city during decades of profound social and cultural change. This important archival work draws from activist papers, community newspapers, and firsthand accounts to foreground Black queer voices in our local LGBTQ+ history.
Featured Panelists:
Reserve your FREE ticket today! Seating is limited, so please secure your spot as soon as possible using this link. We can't wait to see you there for this meaningful evening of history, community, and celebration.
Featured Panelists:
- Dr. TJ Tallie (Community Historian in Residence)
- Jordan Daniels
- Joshua Dunn
- Rayyon Robinson
- Amber St. James
- Miki Vale
Reserve your FREE ticket today! Seating is limited, so please secure your spot as soon as possible using this link. We can't wait to see you there for this meaningful evening of history, community, and celebration.
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Writing as Resistance: A Celebration of Queer Literature.We’re excited to announce our Spring exhibit and event series Writing as Resistance: A Celebration of Queer Literature. Literature has always been a powerful tool of resistance--and in this time of increasing book bans, censorship, harmful policies, and other attacks, we aim to amplify Queer voices past and present, to highlight the resistance work that’s been done and continues to happen in our communities.
Join us for the exhibit’s book fair-style opening reception on April 6th, to learn about local Queer literature and literary spaces past and present, and to check out books from our expansive lending library! All attendees will receive a special edition Lambda Library punch card, with incentives for checking out and returning books. Make sure to RSVP here. Then come back to dive further into resistance writing & Queer literature during our 6-week workshop series! |
Events include:
The following webinars:
Join us on April 6th and follow our Instagram or check our website's “events” page for details on the event series and to RSVP.
The following webinars:
- Writing as Resistance Webinar - featuring Omkari Williams, Bestselling author of Gold Nautilus Award-Winning Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World without A Bullhorn
- Journalism as Resistance Webinar
- Poetry
- Zine-Making
- Book Binding & Art Books
- Journaling/Personal Writing
- Self-Story & Autohistoria-Teoría
- Children’s Literature for Families
- The Path to Publishing & Other Distribution Methods
Join us on April 6th and follow our Instagram or check our website's “events” page for details on the event series and to RSVP.
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INCON Intergenerational
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Intergenerational work is an important aspect of preserving LGBTQ+ history. By bringing LGBTQ+ youth and elders together, we honor lived experiences and amplify histories across generations.
Our partner, The Empathy Archive, centers youth voices by helping young people document and share their experiences with racial and sexual discrimination. Their work empowers youth to reclaim their narratives and spark social change through educational dialogue.
Together, we’re bridging generations to preserve, protect, and uplift LGBTQ+ stories.
Our partner, The Empathy Archive, centers youth voices by helping young people document and share their experiences with racial and sexual discrimination. Their work empowers youth to reclaim their narratives and spark social change through educational dialogue.
Together, we’re bridging generations to preserve, protect, and uplift LGBTQ+ stories.
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Writing as Resistance: Using Our Voices to Speak Out Webinar Featuring Omkari WilliamsJoin us on Sunday, April 13th from 1-2:30 PM for a webinar as part of our literary series. The webinar, "Writing as Resistance: Using Our Voices to Speak Out" will feature bestselling Gold Nautilus award-winning author, Omkari Williams. Omkari is the author of "Micro-Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World (Without a Bullhorn). We'll be chatting with Omkari about her book, her path to writing as resistance, and more about how we can all make a difference in the current moment. Please RSVP here.
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Community Art Workshop
Join Betty Bangs, Lambda Archives, and our hosts Libélula Books on May 8th for a Community Art Workshop. Supplies, food, and beverages will be provided. Some of the art created at this workshop will be donated to Lambda Archives and added to their Queer Artists Project collection for preservation. This event is free and open to the public.
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Oral History Workshop Featuring Zanne!
Join us on Monday, March 25th, 2024
For the first in a series of workshops that are free, open to the public, and available to community members of all ages. This workshop will focus on building basic skills to develop and execute an oral history project. We will also be joined by local artist, Zanne, for a screening of "Celebrating So Many Women at 35" - a tribute to the song, music video, and women's community of 1989 at The Flame.
For the first in a series of workshops that are free, open to the public, and available to community members of all ages. This workshop will focus on building basic skills to develop and execute an oral history project. We will also be joined by local artist, Zanne, for a screening of "Celebrating So Many Women at 35" - a tribute to the song, music video, and women's community of 1989 at The Flame.
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Queer History Workshops/Presentations for Our Safe Place and IntersectionsAugust 8: 3:30-5:30pm - Queer Buttons and Ephemera
September 26: Queer Punk History October 24: Queer Horror History November 14: Learning from our Elders December 12: Journaling is Gay! For more information, contact: Angela Favela (she/ella) - [email protected] - 760-271-5186 |
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LGBTQ+ History Month Guided Tour of HillcrestJoin Lambda Archives on a guided tour of Hillcrest to explore the LGBTQ+ History of our local “gayborhood.”
Hillcrest East Wednesday, October 16th, 6pm Hillcrest West Saturday, October 26th, 10:30am |
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Claiming Space: Queer People of Color on Identity, Power, and ResistanceDate: October 26th, 6 pm - 9 pm
Location: WNDR Museum, 422 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101 In Partnership with Lambda Archives of San Diego and WNDR Museum are proud to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month throughout October! Join us for an exhibit featuring oral history recordings from LGBTQ+ BIPOC community members and a live reading from selected writings from Marti Mackey's "Det's Daughter" column. |
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Queer in STEM: A Historical QuandaryThursday, October 10
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm HomeLab at UCSD 9310 Athena Circle, Ste. 100 San Diego, CA 92037 Hosted by the San Diego Chapter of the American Chemical Society, this event will showcase and support the visibility of queer history in San Diego with a focus on its relation to the science community at large. Enjoy the evening with a dinner-social hour at HomeLab UCSD, the largest biotech accelerator on the US West Coast, followed by a keynote address from Lambda Archives. Proceeding the address, we will finish the night with a panel session of featured queer folx in STEM. |
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REIGN OF REVOLUTION: The Haus of St. James Experience Exhibit and Opening ReceptionJoin us for the opening reception of "Reign of Revolution: the Haus of St. James Experience", an electrifying exhibit that celebrates the art of drag, activism, and liberation. Step into the glamorous world of San Diego's legendary Haus of St. James as we showcase a dazzling collection of gowns, photographs, and rare ephemera from this iconic drag house. Known for their bold artistry and unwavering commitment to justice, the Haus of St. James has reigned as both style icons and revolutionaries in the fight for equality. Don’t miss this chance to experience drag as you’ve never seen it before—fierce, fearless, and revolutionary! This event is free and open to the public, but donations are gladly accepted!
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Dear BruceSaturday, October 12
11:00 am - 12:30 pm The Studio Door 3867 Fourth Avenue San Diego, CA 92103 Secret Letters and Candid Moments: Unlocking Hidden Stories of Passion from the Past. The Studio Door and Lambda Archives of San Diego are celebrating the 30th anniversary of LGBTQ+ History Month with DEAR BRUCE—an intimate showcase featuring letters, drawings, and artworks exchanged between San Diego historian Bruce Kamerling and artists Paul Cadmus and Robert Miles Parker. Curated by Nicole Verdés from Lambda's collections with additional historic documents and artwork from San Diego History Center courtesy of San Diego History Center, Jeffrey D. Shorn + Charles S. Kaminski Trust. Lambda Archives will be giving a presentation on Saturday, October 12 at 11 AM. |
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LGBTQ+ History Month With the San Diego Wave F.C.Sunday, October 13th, 5 pm
On Sunday, October 13th, the San Diego Wave F.C. will be donating a portion of ticket sales to Lambda Archives. Lambda will also be getting a videoboard shoutout during halftime in recognition of LGBTQ+ History Month. To score your tickets and discounted parking, use the links below. |
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LOVE IN THE STRUGGLE: The Jess Jessop LettersConceived, Curated, and Directed by Jesse Marchese
Produced by Diversionary Theatre and Lambda Archives Jess Jessop was an early activist in the San Diego LGBTQIA+ community. He co-founded the San Diego LGBT Center and the Lesbian and Gay Historical Society of San Diego (now Lambda Archives), organized the first openly LGBT political support in the city, and worked with the Names Project Tour when the AIDS Quilt came to San Diego in 1988. Join us for a theatrical reading of some of his most moving and profound letters, all treasures from our collection, that reveal his groundbreaking activism and powerful legacy. Get your tickets today! |
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"Join us on September 15th for Erotica Collaging! This is a 21+ event where we will be creating wall art, cards, buttons, bookmarks, and more using images from our vast Erotica collections. This event is free and open to anybody 21+ - RSVP today
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Join us at the Clark Cabaret on July 18th at 6 pm for
Pride is a Protest: Sign Making WorkshopYou are not just making signs; you are contributing to the history of Pride. If you need space and supplies to make a sign for Pride this year, we've got you covered! We will have images from our collection on hand that feature protest signs from past Pride events that you can recreate to use throughout Pride weekend.
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LGBTQ+ Student Showcase Opening ReceptionRSVP Form
Date: Sunday, June 30th Time: 11am - 2pm Location: 4545 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92116 (Clark Cabaret/Lambda Archives) |
Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship Reception + Pride Kick-Off
RSVP Form
Date: Tuesday, July 2nd Time: 6pm - 8pm Location: The Soap Factory, 2995 Commercial Street, San Diego, CA 92113 Thank you to the sponsors of this year's Larry T. Baza Memorial Scholarship Event and Pride Kick-Off: Catrina Jones Conor P. McLaughlin, Ph.D Jen LaBarbera Joe Fejeran Mark D. Maddox Michael Van Lyon Nicole Verdes |
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Local Queer History: a Spotlight on Zines
Join us on May 23rd for a collaborative event between Lambda Archives, Particle FM, and Burn All Books where we will be sharing local queer history and a spotlight on zines from our collection.
Zines have been invaluable tools for communication, community-building, and cultural expression within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly during times when mainstream channels of communication were inaccessible or unwelcoming. Seats are limited - reserve your spot today!
Zines have been invaluable tools for communication, community-building, and cultural expression within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly during times when mainstream channels of communication were inaccessible or unwelcoming. Seats are limited - reserve your spot today!
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