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Public Library

Community Quilt Project

Geometric triangles pattern

In partnership with the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park, five San Diego Public Library locations will install a pop-up version of the “Community Quilt” interactive from SDHC’s groundbreaking exhibition, LGTBQ+ San Diego: Stories of Struggles and Triumphs

The five locations hosting these pop-up exhibits are:

Related Programming and Locations:

Rainbow flag wrapping around two people

October 8, 2018 | 4 - 5:30 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library

 

Please join the Skyline Hills Library and the San Diego History Center for an evening of education and interaction in a safe space. Patrons are invited to come learn about the importance and impact of LGBT+ history. Attendees will have the opportunity to design their own “quilt” square that will be displayed in the library.

 

Rainbow flag

October 25, 2018 | 4 - 5:30 p.m. | Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library

 

October is LGBTQIA History Month, join our celebration at the Malcolm X library! Celebratory activities for all ages include a scavenger hunt, button making, a Community Quilt project with the San Diego History Center, a history of LGBTQIA marches in San Diego presentation from Walter Meyer of the Lambda Archives, and a contexualized introductory discussion of Congressman John Lewis' March: Book One, this year's One Book, One San Diego selection.

 

Image of rainbow flags

November 14, 2018 | 6 - 7 p.m. | North Park Library

 

Walter Meyer, manager of Lambda Archives, will be presenting a program connecting the African-American Civil rights marches with the marches for LGBTQ civil rights, particularly with those marches and activism in San Diego. The presentation will cover the arc from Bayard Rustin to the DADT and Marriage Equality and other rallies in San Diego.

 

In addition to his work at the Archives, Mr. Meyer is the author 5 books including the critically-acclaimed gay-themed novel Rounding Third. He has written a screenplay about gay African-American civil rights leader Bayard Rustin and has written on LGBTQ topics for the mainstream press including the Los Angeles Times. He has spoken at Penn State, Arizona State, West Virginia University and a host of smaller colleges, high schools, libraries and community centers across the country.

 

Rainbow heart in neon lights

November 15, 2018 | 4-5 p.m. | Central Library, Pauline Foster Teen Center

 

Join the Pauline Foster Teen Center in commemorating the AIDS quilt Project!

 

Youth are invited to come learn about the importance and impact of LGBT+ history. Attendees will have the opportunity to design their own “quilt” square that will be displayed in the library and network at a Mini LGBTQIA Resource Fair.

 

“The Quilt is significant both in the way it facilitated these changes and on its own terms. It was a new kind of memorial; one that was collectively created and movable and shape-shifting, instead of the classic mausoleum sort of thing or sober mourning statue.” - Katherine Ott

 

Quilting supplies

November 1 - 30, 2018 | 2 - 6 p.m. | Central Library, Innovation Lab, Third Floor

 

In celebration with the San Diego History Center's exhibit, LGBTQ+ SAN DIEGO: Stories of Struggles + Triumphs, we will be creating quilt squares to commemorate stories and share experiences. Join us throughout the month of November. Drop in at your convenience during regular Innovation Lab hours: Monday through Saturday, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sewing machines and all materials provided.

 

Rail bar

November 29, 2018 | 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. | College-Rolando Library

 

“San Diego's Gay Bar History” provides a glimpse into the rich history of San Diego's LGBTQIA culture. Writer/Director Paul Detwiler will host a Q&A following the film. Since WWII, no less than 135 gay bars have operated in San Diego, and provided sanctuary for LGBTQIA individuals to discover themselves and form community. Join us for the SD Public Library premiere of this soon-to-be classic work in honor of LGBTQ+ History month, and listen to the stories behind your favorite watering holes, as told by local bartenders and historians.

 

Rainbow glitter

December 12, 2018 | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | University Heights Library

 

Join the University Heights Library and the San Diego History Center for a celebration of LGBTQ+ history month! Learn about the significance and impact of LGBTQ+ history and create a square for our community quilt in support and rememberance of victims of AIDS, violence, and bullying.