PHOTOS: Harvey Milk’s Jeans, Vintage Sex Toys, Jars of Pubic Hair, and More From the Archives of San Francisco’s LGBT History Museum

It’s appropriate that the first LGBT history museum in the country opened its doors in San Francisco – the city which hosted some of the first gay riots as well as some of the first gay weddings. Only the second of its kind in the entire world, the GLBT History Museum in the Castro has been serving the community since January and has even been visited by the real deal, non-drag Britney Spears.

Now Queerty is taking you on an exclusive backstage tour of the museum thanks to our friend Michael Stabile. The local director went through the archives of the museum’s parent organization, the GLBT Historical Society, when he was researching for his upcoming documentary about SF gay porn mogul-turned-philanthropist Chuck Holmes (whom the city’s LGBT center is named after).

While digging up facts about the gay Hugh Hefner, Stabile stumbled upon a piece of queer history in the form of Harvey Milk’s jeans, Butterfly Brigade nets, and an assortment of dildos. Let’s just say our forefathers were kept busy by more than just fighting for gay liberation.

Check the following pages for an exclusive gallery of the fascinatingly collection. Some of the kinkier stuff would certainly have made even Britney blush. To get up close and personal with our queer past, visit the GLBT History Museum in San Francisco.

Photos courtesy of the GLBT History Museum.

Harvey Milk’s Jeans: Just because Abercrombie & Fitch wasn’t around back then, doesn’t mean Harvey wasn’t susceptible to trends.

Willie Walker’s Sex Toys: Apparently an adventurous lover, Willie Walker was also the founder of the GLBT Historical Society. Unbeknownst to him, an endowed piece of history was found right inside his goodie drawer.

Butterfly Brigade Nets: Founded in 1976, the Butterfly Brigade was a neighborhood safety group in the Castro.

Robert Chesley’s Jars of Pubic Hair: Robert Chesley certainly kept these spice jars away from the kitchen. The noted playwright had a peculiar method of keeping a small piece of his past paramours.

 

Don't forget to share:

Your support makes our travel guides possible

We believe that LGBTQ+ people deserve safe vacations that allow them to be their authentic selves. That's why our City Guides aren't locked behind a paywall. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated