GLBT History Museum of Central Florida

The GLBT Museum of Central Florida was formed to archive and share the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history of Central Florida.   Here you will find a historical timeline, memorials, and photographs of our history.  All material archived on these pages are public domain and available to all.

None of this would be possible without the support of the GLBT History Museum of Central Florida, the Metropolitan Business Association, and Darden (who sponsor our exhibit each year).

The founding museum board members include:

Myles Thoroughgood (Chair)
Dr. Ken Kazmerski (Past-Chair)
David Bain (Webmaster)
George Lora
Cheryl Turner
Dawn Rosendahl
Russel Evans
Lara Anderson

Our contributors include:

Bruce Ground
Harold Strait
Nathan Lawshe
Danny Murray
Watermark
GLBCC

The GayOrlandoHistory photo gallery now contains over 4500 submitted images.  Wow, that is a lot of scanning!  There are still many GLBT organizations and events that are still not represented.  If you have photos, and would like to submit them, please send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you would like to manage your own gallery album, send an email and let us know. We will be happy to set you up and we could use the help.  Same goes for forums.  If you would like to blog your organizations history, by all means, jump in and give us a hand.

Mission 

The GLBT History Museum’s mission is to collect, preserve and exhibit the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities history in Central Florida.

We are dedicated to collecting memorabilia, preserving the documentary record, and displaying with pride that community's social and historical contributions, so our legacy is not forgotten.

Vision

Essentially educational in nature, The Museum seeks to illuminate the struggles, triumphs and experiences of the Central Florida GLBT population.

Our collective of educators, archivists, librarians, writers, designers, and students are involved in and recognize the need for this important endeavor.

By recording the Central Florida GLBT history through donations of funds and memorabilia ,we strive to establish a permanent location to house a growing and evolving collection.

We want to develop a mobile museum to tour colleges, have temporary installations at private corporations, and non-profit organization meetings and events, create site specific exhibits and displays relating to business, politics, law, community organizations, sports, academia, media, or culture.

Sharing the information through public exhibition, we wish to impart knowledge and understanding to the viewer, and bestow acknowledgement and gratitude to those whose contributions made history.

Project Initiatives

• Collaborate with various civic organizations and the public to obtain historical memorabilia, and archival materials like photographs, articles, event programs and documents.
• Chronicle donated and loaned artifacts factually.
• Partner with contributors and donors to become a educational resource to support books, essays, documentaries and researchers.
• Value the contributions of donors and work together to build an extensive and impressive collection.
   

Values

Integrity in preservation, accuracy of information, and respect for legacy.

Volunteers

Help Make History! We need your help in preserving our Central Florida GLBT heritage. .By becoming an volunteer archivist, you will be instrumental to the collecting and preservation of the important documentary record of our community.

Executive Members, Officers and Sponsors

The GLBT History Museum of Central FL is led by an all-volunteer board. Board members and volunteers are responsible for all aspects of operations including administration, fundraising, program development, research, archiving, and exhibition.