About the Lesbian and Gay Historical Society of San Diego The Lesbian and Gay Historical Society of San Diego was founded by Jess Jessop in 1987 to promote the recovery, preservation and understanding of the history of lesbians and gay men. The vast majority of gay men and lesbians grow up with a strong sense of cultural isolation. They, along with the rest of the world, are generally unaware of the significant contributions made by gay men and lesbians in a broad range of fields among which are science, medicine, the arts, education, and government. Additionally, it is important that lesbians and gays come to realize that their everyday lives are a vital part of the fabric of history, thereby providing them with a sense of belonging and self-worth. History is best served by the records and cultural artifacts of those people who are directly involved in its events, not by the observations and prejudices of others.
Original documents provide the foundation for an accurate historical account.
Without them, history is reduced to gossip. Our collections are made available to researchers on a regular basis or by special appointment. A speakers bureau provides qualified speakers to schools and community organizations. We collect materials relating to all ethnic groups, economic levels and special interests. These collections are kept in archival quality acid-free storage containers to insure their long life.