The Victory of Self Will Capture the Civil Rights Movement of Northeast Ohio’s LGBT Community
Exhibit being constructed in honor of the 9th Gay Games, coming to Cleveland August 9-16
Cleveland, OH— In San Francisco in 1982, Tom Waddell and 1,350 athletes from all over the world would make history in the most inspiring way in the first ever Gay Games. This year, the 9th Gay Games will come to Cleveland and to commemorate their arrival, the Western Reserve Historical Society will unveil a new exhibit, The Victory of Self: The LGBT Community in Northeast Ohio.
The exhibit will be on display during regular museum hours beginning July 20, 2014. General admission costs apply—however, WRHS is pleased to extend a $2 discount to all Gay Games participants who produce credentials upon entry.
Objects, banners, photographs, newspapers, video recordings, and more from the WRHS LGBT Archives will come together to provide the visual background for the exhibit and touch upon a variety of aspects of the LGBT community’s history from the pre-Stonewall period to the present. Each aspect will contribute to the broader narrative of the cultural and social infrastructure of the community. WRHS is a community partner of the 9th Gay Games.
“The true focus of this groundbreaking exhibit is to depict how the LGBT community of Northeast Ohio came together and became visible in their fight for equal rights, including today’s ongoing struggle for same-sex marriage,” said Dr. John Grabowski, Senior VP of Research and Publications at WRHS. “WRHS has a responsibility to preserve and tell the story of all of Northeast Ohio, and we are proud to continue doing so by displaying these important pieces of LGBT history. Our LGBT community archive project began in 1991 with the help of what is known today as the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. Our hope is that the participants of the Gay Games 9 will come out to University Circle and learn about the history of the movement in Cleveland while they are in town.”
WRHS appreciates the support of Liz Roccoforte and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at Case Western Reserve University, Chris Rogers of Vision Video, and Phyllis Harris, Ryan Zymler and the staff at the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland in making the implementation of this exhibit possible.
Access to the exhibit is free with the price of general admission to the WRHS History Center: $10 adults, $5 children ages 3-12, and free for WRHS members.
About the Gay Games
The Gay Games is an international sporting and cultural event held every four years under the founding principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™. Launched in 1982, the Games invite participation from everybody regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs, athletic or artistic ability, age, physical challenge or health status.
The Games are intended to bring a global community together in friendship, to experience participation, to elevate consciousness and self-esteem, and to achieve a form of cultural and intellectual synergy. The Gay Games is open to anyone 18 years or older. About 10 percent of participants are from outside the LGBT community.
About the Western Reserve Historical Society
The Western Reserve Historical Society is the premier center for collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Northeast Ohio. As a testament to its financial solidarity, the organization has received the coveted four-star ranking from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. WRHS received a 70 out of 70 on “Accountability and Transparency” from the evaluation service, acknowledging the highest levels of financial stewardship and professionalism.
The History Center is located in Cleveland’s University Circle at 10825 East Boulevard. Museum hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, Noon to 5 pm. Admission is $10/adult, $9/senior 62+, and $5/child age 3-12. The Research Library is open Thursday – Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Western Reserve Historical Society members and children two years and under are admitted free of charge. Group rates are available. The History Center is handicap accessible, with an elevator providing access to various levels of the museum.