Artifact of the Month: June 2021

June is Pride Month

Pride is a Protest

Before it was a celebration, before it was a parade, it was a riot. In the early morning of June 28, 1969 New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. The raid erupted into a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents fed up with constant police harassment and discrimination, leading to six days of protests. Stonewall is seen as one of the most important events leading to the gay liberation movement and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.

While Pride may be a celebration today, it is also an important moment to advocate and stand up for the rights of those in our community that continue to face violence, discrimination, and government oppression.

Loud and Queer!

The Ketchikan Queer Collective formed in January of 2021 to increase LGBTQ+ visibility, spread awareness of issues, and make meaningful connections. The Collective produces Loud and Queer!, a zine published four times a year featuring visual art, articles, and resources. The publication's mission is to engage with the LGBTQ+ community of Southern Southeast Alaska. Check out the website for more information: https://loudandqueerketchikan.com

A Call to the Community

Ketchikan Museums collects and shares our community's rich history. We strive to tell the full story of our community. LGBTQ+ people are valued members of our community and we want to represent their stories and experiences. Unfortunately, we do not have much in our collection to represent LGBTQ+ people. By acknowledging the gaps in our collection we hope to increase the visibility of all under-represented groups, to tell a fuller story of Ketchikan, and everyone who calls this place home.

Ketchikan Museums: TC 891