We're proud to support Circa: Queer Histories Festival

Since 1994, October has been National LGBT History Month. But it's also the month we celebrate Circa: Queer Histories Festival, powered by the One institute of Los Angeles.

This year's festival runs October 1-31 at venues across Los Angeles County and online with virtual programming.  The 2025 theme is "Reclaiming Freedom," which explores the complexities of freedom when many of us still lack basic rights. 

"With history as our guide, we are reminded that we can -- and will -- persevere," said Tony Valenzuela, executive director of One.

We're partnering with the UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning to host a virtual Circa workshop, Reclaiming Queer Spaces: Milwaukee, on Saturday, October 18, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

This workshop, led by Adam Thibodeaux, examines the importance of protecting and celebrating historic buildings with marginalized histories. We'll visit seven former "gay bars" from Milwaukee's past -- while exploring ways to preserve these spaces and their histories for the future.

A complete schedule of events, both virtual and in-person, will be available in August.

Celebrating our long distance relationship

"Partnering with Circa and One honors the roots of our organization," said Michail Takach, chair of the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project. "In many ways, we owe our entire existence to One."

"In 1994, Jim Kepner, founder of the One Archives, partnered with local researchers to create the state's first LGBTQ historical timeline. His goal was two-fold: to celebrate the community's progress in the 25 years since Stonewall, and to seed Milwaukee with a unique appreciation and ownership for local LGBTQ history."

"At the time, even the community seemed surprised that we had any history of our own," said Takach. "For decades, all they'd heard was that nothing came before them. Imagine learning that you weren't the first generation -- but part of a long, long line of people before you."

"Kepner and his team had many challenges:  elders didn't want to discuss or remember the challenges of their youth; academics didn't believe that LGBTQ history was a valid course of study; donors and sponsors didn't see the value of a project they didn't understand; and worst yet, pioneering LGBTQ historian Louis Stimac passed away two months before the project debuted."

"Yet, they prevailed, and against the odds, that first-ever timeline, and the related research, became the first brick in our foundation. It is astonishing how far we've come since the ground was broken."

Don Schwamb, long-time community organizer and volunteer, stepped in when Kepner's team stepped out, and hand-built today's History Project independently, individually, and out-of-pocket for over 25 years.

About Circa: Queer Histories Festival

The groundbreaking Circa Festival debuted in 2023 as a celebration of LGBTQ History Month, featuring an unprecedented lineup of 73 programs presented to thousands of attendees.  Circa Festival enlists the help of celebrated national scholars, activists, artists, archives, and community leaders to curate an engaging educational program.

"Working with the community is paramount to the success of Circa," said Rory Hayes, public program manager at One. "Our socially engaged process allows us to learn from diverse perspectives, revisit our history, and move towards liberation and connection."

About One Institute

Founded in 1952, One Institute is the oldest active LGBTQ organization in the United States, dedicating to elevating queer and trans history and embracing emerging stories through collaborative education, arts, and cultural programs.  As the independent community partner of ONE Archives at the University of Southern California Libraries, ONE owns and promotes the largest collection of LGBTQ historical content in the world.

Questions? Contact us.