One of the hallmarks of a society and a people is how well it honors it's history. LGBT people have always been on the fringe and often our stories are overlooked, forgotten or cast aside to be forgotten over the course of time. Thanks to the GLBT Historical Society and all the good work they've done over the years The Castro is now home to the first major GLBT History Museum in the world. The Huffington Post just awarded the organization a high honor by declaring it, "one of the best LGBT history archives in the United States." This work isn't cheap as storing and caring for artifacts rarely is. To help raise much needed funs the Society hosts a grand gala once a year called, Unmasked, that is occurring tomorrow, Thursday, October 25th at the elegant Green Room of the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center on Van Ness Avenue here in San Francisco. VIP reception at 6 and doors for general public at 7. Tickets start at $60.
Passed food will be provided by local Castro eateries, a fantastic silent auction with an assortment of tantalizing getaways, historical artifacts and amazing fine art from local artists including Castro Biscuit pal, Jim Winters. The evening's varied entertainment includes baritone Zachary Gordin, a rising star of opera and concert stages; the Cello Street Quartet, noted for blending classical and pop styles and featured here on The Biscuit; drag diva Glamamore; and DJs from queer club sensation Hard French.
Several Bay Area filmmakers will take part in the gala as honored guests, including Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman), Marc Huestis (Sex Is), Stu Maddux (Gen Silent), Travis Matthews (I Want Your Love), Glenne McElhinney (On These Shoulders We Stand), Pam Walton (Grassroots: Contesting Ohio), David Weissman (We Were Here) and Alice Wu (Saving Face).
An amazing evening is in store for all those able to attend and we highly encourage your to do so. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it-but those who honor and cherish it are sure to learn from it's many lessons.
