Six LGBTQ+ student rulers from the Institute’s 2023–24 Youth Ambassadors for Queer History system will present their innovative research projects in a one-day show called History Within Us, which was announced by One Institute in Los Angeles.
On Saturday, January 27, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, the students will receive recognition, and their job will be on display at One Gallery in West Hollywood. The government is welcome to use Record Within Us for free.
Through in-depth archive study, field trips, workshops, and conversations with LGBTQ+ scholars, activists, artists, community leaders, One Institute’s Youth Ambassadors for Queer History system arouses the interest for gay and trans history in high school students. Individuals are encouraged to produce a final task that demonstrates both their creativity and factual information using resources from the ONE Files ‘electronic archives at the USC Libraries as well as the knowledge and skills they learn throughout the semester.
According to Trevor Ladner, manager of the education programs, “I am inspired by the commitment our youngsters ambassadors for gay history have shown to thoroughly examine and effectively display our community’s histories.” These students, who will go on to become leaders and scholars in the future, embody a deep respect for gay elders and exhibit limitless imagination. They are already at the forefront of the movement for storytelling and participation of LGBTQ+ people.
A modern blog on gay publications from the 1960s and 1970s, an examination of how business financing affects grassroots LGBTQ+ engagement, a close look at LGBT+ student organizations in colleges and higher schools, and more will all be included in History Within Us. Additionally, a “Letters to ONE” display with students ‘responses to archived letters sent by readers of the magazine in the 1950s and 1960s will be incorporated into the installation. Visitors are encouraged to watch the show while taking advantage of mild refreshments like conchas in rainbows and transgender flag colors from the LGBTQ-allying Los Angelitos Bakery.
Register for the completely occasion at oneinstitute.org/history-within-us/
This year’s group will receive certificates for successfully completing the program, as well as for their exceptional leadership abilities and dedication to political engagement, from Los Angeles County and the City of West Hollywood leaders, including Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Mayor John Erickson, Vice Mayor Chelsea Byers, and members of the city of western Hollywood Transgender Advisory Board.
According to Youth Ambassador JoJo (age 16), “Learning about queer history is really important to me and has inspired me to take action in my community through sharing the knowledge I have gained.” Joshua (17) continues, “We’re becoming more unapologetically ourselves. Through opposition, passion, and skill, we continue to fight for our rights.”
One Institute organizes History Within Us as a component of the Youth Ambassadors for Queer History software, which is run by Education Programs Manager Trevor Ladner and runs from 2023 to 2024. The Dwight Stuart Youth Fund’s assistance has made this software feasible. Special thanks to the City of West Hollywood, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and ONE Archives at the USC Libraries for their assistance with studies.
The Initiatives
An engaging picture gallery called Queerly Important: Exploring the Effects of Quake Student Organizations by Cora, 15, looks at how LGBTQ+ student organizations, like Project 10 in LAUSD or the Gay and Lesbian Student Association at Los Angeles City College, have been crucial resources for the inclusion, appearance, training, and help of LGBT+ children from the 1960s to the present.
In her visible display, Follow the Money Trail by Luca, 15, examines how large corporate grants and other sources of LGBTQ+ money have affected activity goals in comparison to activists ‘1980s and 1990s grass fundraising efforts like ACT UP Los Angeles.
In the case of Robert Rosenkrantz, who was imprisoned for death in 1986 after fatally shooting a bigotedbully while attending Calabasas High School during the anti-gay frenzy of the 1980s AIDS problems, Dear Robert by Jojo, 16, garnered national LGBTQ+ interest through an article in The Advocate.
The visual arts set Forever Queer: The Hidden Rainbow Inside of Neverland by Star, 17, honors Maude Adams ‘groundbreaking performance as the artist, production custom, and lesbian who first played Peter Pan on Broadway in 1905. This tale continues to inspire young, queer thinking.
Joshua, 18, wrote Here Before Us, an ofrenda or temple that honors the illustrious lives of gay Latinx people and organizations in California, including activist and journalist Jeanne Córdova, the well-known bar Circus Disco, and Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos.
Through an examination of queer children’s publications, such as The Lesbian Tide and Kitchen Table Press, as well as the function of gay organizers in social organizations like the National Organization for Women and ACT UP Los Angeles, Sophie, 18, explores these issues in her electric blog, Those Lesbias are Anywhere.
One College
A nonprofit organization called One Institute (previously ONE Archives Foundation) is committed to advancing queer and trans histories and embracing new narratives through programs in the arts, culture, and education. The oldest LGBTQ+ business in the US is One Institute, which was established in 1952. The organization now creates one-of-a-kind exhibitions and common programs that link LGBTQ+ past with modern tradition to bring about social change. We support the next generation of teachers and students in bringing gay and trans story into classrooms and communities through our unique K–12 teacher trainings, lesson plans, and children mentorship programs. The USC Libraries, which house the largest selection of LGBTQ+ materials in the world, also support the promotion of the elements within ONE Files.
Our dedication to cultural equity and justice directs One Institute’s curatorial and educational decisions. By emphasizing the intersectional and real stories of Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), women, gender-nonconforming and transgender people, individuals of various talents, youth, and elders from all socioeconomic groups, we engage with the complexity of LGBTQ+ history and representation.
Visit oneinstitute to learn more about Youth Ambassadors for Queer History. Ambassadors for gay record for org/youth.
You can find more details at oneinstitute. com and follow @oneinstitutela on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
