In partnership between the Santa Cruz Diversity Center and the Santa Cruz MAH, we are presenting a series of Santa Cruz County Queer History webinars. Check out the Santa Cruz County LGBTQ History Timeline. See the Virtual Queer Santa Cruz Exhibit.
** Webinar Feedback Form ** List of Future Topics – Add other ideas here
Archives and Recordings of Webinars
Webinar 13: Lou Harrison: A Queer Music Composer Amplifies Santa Cruz Culture
Description: For over 40 years Lou Harrison, and his life partner Bill Colvig, were part of our Santa Cruz LGBTQ+ community. Lou performed at the first Gay Pride in Santa Cruz in 1975 and the two of them were part of Santa Cruz’ first Gay Men’s 40+ group. Hear from those who interacted with Lou and Bill during their years living in the Santa Cruz area. Read more about Lou Harrison here.
Recording * Slides
Webinar 12: Creating the MAH Queer Santa Cruz Exhibit
Description: Learn from the collaborators who helped establish and implement the MAH Queer Santa Cruz Exhibit. Hear their stories and insights and challenges of developing the concepts that have resulted in the online exhibit. Guests: Marla Novo, Pat Dellin, Rob Darrow.
Recording * Slides * Blogpost * Exhibit
Webinar 11: The AIDS Quilt history and event in Santa Cruz – 1989
Description: The AIDS quilt idea developed in San Francisco in 1985 by Cleve Jones and others. In 1989, portions of the quilt were exhibit at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Quilt panels were added by people in Santa Cruz at the time. Hear from Cleve Jones, Terry Cavanaugh, Jo Kinney and Lark Letchworth who helped make this all happen.
Recording * Slides * Chat Room * Photos and Memories and Santa Cruz Quilt Panels
Webinar 10: The Dyke March Enhances Pride and Queer Santa Cruz – 1994
Description: The Santa Cruz Dyke March began in 1994. Hear from those that were there at the beginning to learn how it started and how it continues to impact Santa Cruz County today.
Recording * Slides * SC Dyke and Trans March
Webinar 9: Radical Faeries Enhance Queer Santa Cruz – 1980s
Description: The Radical Faerie movement began in the summer of 1979. It was not long before radical faeries emerged across Santa Cruz County in the 1980s. Hear radical faeries from Santa Cruz County share about their beginnings in the county, how they were instrumental in furthering many local and global queer causes, and their involvement in the Western U.S.
Recording * Slides * Chat Room
Resources and Primary Sources:
- Pride Float
- 1996 – Kwai Grand Marshal * Kwai Close Up * Shane Roller Skates
- 2007 – Terry Grand Marshal
- Fairie Gathering Call 1989 – Part 1 * Part 2
- Wolf Creek Homecoming 1987
- Photos from Events
- Faerie Magick – Book about Santa Cruz Faeries c. 2013
- Spirit Dancing / Faerie Chants – Faerie chants and music
Webinar 8 – Watsonville High and What’s In a Name
Description: Watsonville High was one of the first high schools with a Gay Straight Alliance club for students in Watsonville. In collaboration with the drama department, they established the “What’s in a Name” program that took place annually. Hear from former Watsonville High students Zachary Davenport, Sebastian DeEldon and George Camany share their experiences in Watsonville in 2000.
Recording * Chat Room * Slides *
Primary Source Documents:
- 2001 Watsonville GSA group photo
- 2002 Good Times Article
- 2001 Casual Cruelty Article. P1. P2.
- 2001 Student Files District Lawsuit – PVUSD
Webinar 7: The Diversity Center is Founded in 1989 and Continues Today
Description: Why is 1989 an important year? Find out with this webinar that will highlight the history of the Diversity Center. Guests included: Current Diversity Center Executive Director Sharon Papo, Former Executive Director Jim Brown, Former Executive Bob Correa and Historian, Denny Carroll.
Recording * Chat Room * Slides * Historical Diversity Center Photos
Webinar 6 – Pajaro Valley Pride takes flight in South County – 2015/16
Description: Join the founding members of Pajaro Valley Pride as they share with us how the organization was born. In August of 2016 Watsonville’s Main Street was officially closed down to celebrate the diversity of our vibrant community. The event was blessed by the White Hawk Dancers and had various performers including current Ru Paul’s Drag Race contestant Rock M. Sakura! Grand Marshal of P.V.P 2016: Jimmy Dutra. Invited guests: Jorge Guillen, Emillio Barajas, Daniel Elizalde, Sergio Bartolo, Lesley Harrison, Raudel Covarrubias.
…. Webinar Recording …
Webinar 4 – Santa Cruz Gay Men’s Volleyball – the Early Years – 1980s
Description: Santa Cruz Gay Men’s Volleyball has been continually operating since 1979 when a group of men thought it would be a great way to bring LGBT people together. Hear from those early organizers and players. Invited guests: John Laird, G Schulz, Tom Ellison and others.
Webinar Recording * Slides and Photos * No Chat Room Conversation took place
Webinar 3 – Santa Cruz AIDs Project Becomes a Model for the Nation, 1980s
Description: Hear from the people who lived through the AIDS epidemic in Santa Cruz during the 1980s. The Santa Cruz AIDS Project (SCAP) developed in 1984 and became a national model of serving AIDS patients. Guests included: Jerry Solomon, Jo Kenny, John Laird, Lark Letchworth, Terry Cavanaugh, and Patrick Meyer.
Webinar Recording * Chat Room * Slides and Primary Source Documents
Webinar 2: The First Pride Event Causes Santa Cruz to Come Out – 1975 (April 2, 2020)
Webinar Recording * Chat Room * Slides and Photos * Written reflection of the first pride
Primary Source Documents: Press Release (June 1975) * Board of Supervisors Proclamation * * Schedule of Events 1975
Webinar 1: LAGMU Sparked the Santa Cruz County LGBTQ Rights Movement in 1974 (March 26, 2020) –
— Webinar Recording. * Slides and Photos
Primary Source Documents: LAGMU Newsletter 1 * LAGMU Newsletter 2
Overall Webinar Series Info: As you may have heard, the Santa Cruz MAH launched the Virtual Queer Santa Cruz Exhibit in May. To help us “view” the different parts of the exhibit, to learn more about our queer history and to give us something to do during our shelter in place, we are initiating a series of webinars about the different stories related to Santa Cruz Queer History. Our intention is to bring new webinars each Tuesday and Thursday.