The LGBT History Museum of Central Florida serves to preserve and present the history of our community and its rich heritage. Founded in 2005 as the “GLBT History Project” by a small group of volunteers, the archive provides a look into the lives and experiences of LGBT people throughout Central Florida. As you browse through our digital museum you will find Central Florida’s LGBT history displayed in a wide range of media, including photography, news clippings, video oral histories, and personal memorabilia. The importance of highlighting the history of the LGBT political movements and rights cannot be more strongly expressed as people around the world—and in our own neighborhoods—face discrimination, inequality and violence because of who they are, who they love or how they look. The museum wishes to celebrate sexual and gender identities as integral parts of Central Florida History.
While history is part of public school curriculums and curriculums have expanded to include the histories and contributions of previously overlooked minority groups, LGBT history is neither taught in school nor (usually) taught as part of family histories. Learning an LGBT inclusive history can help us better understand our world and our differences. Understanding should lead to acceptance and safer, more inclusive spaces for all.
The Beginning of the LGBT History Museum of Central Florida
The LGBT History Museum of Central Florida began in 2005 as the GLBT History Project when a small group came together to plan a history exhibit in the Orange County Regional History Center as part of the first Come Out With Pride (COWP) celebration in October 2006. Dr. Ken Kazmerski, past President of the GLBT History Museum and retired UCF Professor, and several others were approached by the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando's president, Debbie Simmons, to create a one-day GLBT exhibit at the Regional History Center. Originally, the project had no funding and members of the project used their own memorabilia to create displays.
An article by Billy Manes, published in the Orlando Weekly, October 12, 2006 illustrates the early days of the museum when collecting and archiving the “stuff” from people’s spare rooms and attic spaces was in its infancy: “‘There's a distinct absence of “real history” available: a poster from a Lily Tomlin AIDS benefit or a picture of four scantily clad guys mugging in front of the Parliament House marquee here, copies of various newsletters there. And most questions about actual dates are met with a vague, “‘I don't know, I think it was around '87 or maybe '91.’”
Although originally Debbie Simmons chaired most of the organization's early meetings, by 2006 Ken Kazmerski took over as chair and began a new focus on professionalization. The early exhibits show a preponderance of bar memorabilia because at a time when LGBT people were afraid to share last names or want to be on mailing lists, the bar scene was all there was when few wanted to be outed in the light of day or have a colleague find out they were gay. This is slowly changing as newsletters, posters, oral histories and other documents are donated to the museum.
[Include links to Ken’s, David Bain’s and Debbie’s interviews]
While history is part of public school curriculums and curriculums have expanded to include the histories and contributions of previously overlooked minority groups, LGBT history is neither taught in school nor (usually) taught as part of family histories. Learning an LGBT inclusive history can help us better understand our world and our differences. Understanding should lead to acceptance and safer, more inclusive spaces for all.
The Beginning of the LGBT History Museum of Central Florida
The LGBT History Museum of Central Florida began in 2005 as the GLBT History Project when a small group came together to plan a history exhibit in the Orange County Regional History Center as part of the first Come Out With Pride (COWP) celebration in October 2006. Dr. Ken Kazmerski, past President of the GLBT History Museum and retired UCF Professor, and several others were approached by the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando's president, Debbie Simmons, to create a one-day GLBT exhibit at the Regional History Center. Originally, the project had no funding and members of the project used their own memorabilia to create displays.
An article by Billy Manes, published in the Orlando Weekly, October 12, 2006 illustrates the early days of the museum when collecting and archiving the “stuff” from people’s spare rooms and attic spaces was in its infancy: “‘There's a distinct absence of “real history” available: a poster from a Lily Tomlin AIDS benefit or a picture of four scantily clad guys mugging in front of the Parliament House marquee here, copies of various newsletters there. And most questions about actual dates are met with a vague, “‘I don't know, I think it was around '87 or maybe '91.’”
Although originally Debbie Simmons chaired most of the organization's early meetings, by 2006 Ken Kazmerski took over as chair and began a new focus on professionalization. The early exhibits show a preponderance of bar memorabilia because at a time when LGBT people were afraid to share last names or want to be on mailing lists, the bar scene was all there was when few wanted to be outed in the light of day or have a colleague find out they were gay. This is slowly changing as newsletters, posters, oral histories and other documents are donated to the museum.
[Include links to Ken’s, David Bain’s and Debbie’s interviews]