News Release

SAN FRANCISCO… From the boisterous Beat-era bohemia of the Black Cat Café to the radical actions of Queer Nation in the 90s, the history of San Francisco’s LGBTQI communities is rich and diverse. But while annual events like Halloween in the Castro and Pride are well documented in the San Francisco Public Library’s photographic archive of the city, home, community and work life are not. That’s why the Library is inviting members of the community to get their photos out of the closets and into the archives this October!

On Sunday, October 14, 2007 from 10 AM to 4 PM, the public is encouraged to bring personal photo collections to the “Shades of LGBTQI Communities” Photo Day at the Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library at 1 Jose Sarria Court (16th Street just below Market) in the heart of the Castro District. There, historians and volunteers will select images to add to the archive. No donations are necessary as selected photos are copied on the spot. Photographs are then available to library users at both the San Francisco History Center at the Main Library and the Eureka Valley Branch. An exhibition of the images is planned at the Eureka Valley Branch when it reopens in 2009 after remodeling.

This is the fifth Shades of San Francisco project sponsored by the San Francisco Public Library. Past projects have focused on specific neighborhoods that are underrepresented in the archive including the Mission District, Western Addition, Ocean View/Ingleside/Merced and Sunset Districts.

“The photographs we have copied and collected from Shades participants are used all the time,” says Susan Goldstein, City Archivist. “Researchers, writers, filmmakers, teachers and students rely on these images to paint an accurate picture of daily life in our communities. And with such a long legacy here in San Francisco, the gay community’s contribution to the archive will be extremely important.”

The Library is interested in a variety of photographic subjects such as leisure activities, work life, celebrations, performances and family gatherings. Images of social, cultural, civic and political organizations are very welcome as well as neighborhood landmarks and businesses. Participants do not need to be current residents of San Francisco and are urged to bring their entire collection as opposed to self-selecting photographs.

Photo Day appointments are strongly encouraged as this greatly reduces any wait time. Drop-ins are accepted if time permits. For more information, visit http://www.sfpl.org/news/lgbtqishades. To make an appointment, call (415) 752-2483 or e-mail nina911@pacbell.net.

The Library is also looking for volunteers to help select photos and work with the public that day. Volunteers attend a training on Saturday, October 13 from 9 AM to 4 PM to learn about the history of the community and the archival process. The training culminates with a hands-on session in photo selection and recording. Lunch is provided. Interested volunteers should contact the Coordinator at the number and e-mail above or download the volunteer application.

PLEASE NOTE: Historic photographs are available as high-resolution JPG images to accompany this story. Contact Nina Sazevich at nina911@pacbell.net or (415) 752-2483.