Exhibition 'Free and Queer' Highlights Black Queer Californian Histories at CAAM

The California African American Museum is showcasing 'Free and Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation,' an exhibition that highlights California's significance in Black-led LGBTQ activism, expression, and resistance. Curated by Susan D. Anderson, along with researchers Sean Patrick Dickerson and Sela Mariama Kerr, this project is in collaboration with ONE Archives at USC Libraries. The exhibition explores a historical narrative that predates Stonewall, emphasizing the contributions of Black queer Californians who transformed democracy and visibility. Utilizing photographs, film, archival documents, and print culture, it examines the links between activism, performance, and artistic expression, addressing issues from the McCarthy era to the AIDS crisis. This exhibition runs until February 28, 2027.