Learn how, fifty years ago, South Bend’s LGBTQ+ community grew and fought against injustices.
In Indiana, like many other states, engaging in an open, public same-sex relationship meant taking on huge risks. “Queer SB in the 1970s” shows how, in an era before communicating online was possible, LGBTQ+ people in South Bend found ways to foster community, connection, and protection.
“Queer SB in the 1970s” features items reproduced from the IU South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center’s LGBTQ collection—the only such archival collection in the city. Items include the Seahorse, a club and drag venue on the west side; the Lambda Society of Michiana, an organization seeking to build community and culture; entries from Damron’s guide book with local LGBTQ friendly spaces; and more.
Join us on June 15, 2023, for a public reception beginning at 6pm. Guests will be encouraged to view the exhibition and learn how they can access more items from the Center’s LGBTQ collection online, plus learn how to donate additional items for preservation and sharing. Light food and beverages will be provided.
As people in the LGBTQ+ community around the U.S. (and even in South Bend) continue to live under oppressive political conditions and cannot always freely exist as their true selves, learning how people in South Bend’s past organized and built community is meaningful for people today.
This activity is made possible, in part, with support from the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County. Support also comes from the LGBTQ Center.
Event link: https://events.iu.edu/iusbcivil/event/980226-1
Thursday, June 15, 2023 | 6-7:30pm
In-Person only: Civil Rights Heritage Center
Indiana University South Bend
1040 W. Washington