National LGBTQ history museum proposal introduced in Congress
A display at The GLBT History Museum tells the story of Jiro Onuma, a gay Japanese immigrant who came to San Francisco in 1920 and who was imprisoned an internment camp during World War II.
In an effort to celebrate and preserve America’s LGBTQ+ history, two bills were introduced in Congress on Friday to create a National Museum of American LGBTQ+ History and Culture.
Photo: Provided by GLBT History Museum. In an effort to celebrate and preserve America’s LGBTQ history, two bills were introduced in Congress on Friday to create a National Museum of American LGBTQ+ History and Culture.
They were introduced by Rep. Mark Pocan, a gay Democrat from Wisconsin and the chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. One proposal authorizes the formation of an eight-member commission with expertise in museum planning or LGBTQ+ research and culture to investigate the feasibility of establishing such a significant institution in Washington, D.C. “As our community faces unprecedented attacks and attempts to erase our history, we must preserve and protect our stories for future generations,” Pocan said in a news release. “It is vital to remember our collective past – particularly when certain states, and even Members of Congress, seek to constrain and repeal existing rights by passing bills that harm LGBTQI+ youth and our community at large.” “This is a museum, much like we’ve done to recognize African-Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and most recently, Asian-Americans,” Pocan explained in a video announcing the bill. “It’s a way to really recognize our community and to be able to recognize it and look at its history and look at all aspects of (the) treatment of this country, both good and bad.
