The June L Mazer lesbian Archives has been supporting and preserving women's history for over 40 years. Researchers from all of the world have used the materials to tell women's stories. Recent efforts to digitize the collection have expanded the opportunities for research and discovery. I personally have enjoyed seeing all of the personal videos, finding aids, and events such as the Celebrating 35 Years of Black Lesbian Organizing in Los Angeles, Olivia Records and music, the Lesbian News, and amazing authors such as Katherine V. Forrest and Lillian Faderman. The collection is fabulous and growing.
Browsing through the Mazer Archives is to relive the lesbian experience in America. You can find the private papers of lesbians who were instrumental in our history, posters, periodicals, music, and tshirts, are just a few of the things they have there. It’s vital to preserve lesbian history. Women’s history and LGBTQ+ history have always been a footnote to history, but the Mazer makes sure that our stories are preserved for posterity.
The June Mazer Lesbian Archives is an incredible place. With your first step into the Mazer Archives you realize that you have come home! It is a place where those who are on the board or volunteer make you feel that you are an important part of our Lesbian history. We Lesbians are the focus here and there is no sense of ego. Each board member or volunteer is committed to making the Archives a place where the preservation and promotion of our Lesbian history and presence are paramount. There are so many exciting and vitally important memorabilia here. Additionally, the Mazer has monthly events where you can learn more about who we, as Lesbians, were and are. Each month the Mazer has an educational event that I look forward to. Those involved with the Mazer should be very proud of the sense of importance and joy that visitors feel. It is a most uplifting experience to come to the Mazer
I have volunteered at the Archives for nearly 20 years. During this time, I have seen the importance of preserving our history not only for scholars and researchers but for what it means to each Lesbian, young & old. Time & time again I have been the witness to women seeing that we have a rich past and that they are not alone. The Archives contains historical photos, subject files, organizational papers, personal papers, diaries, letters, buttons, tshirts, posters, dissortations, manuscripts, books, pulps, poetry, an extensive periodical collection... I am proud to be a part of such an important endeavor.
This is a great organization that collects, protects and preserves Lesbian and Feminist History. They are a vital part of lesbian and feminists women's lives by validating and mentoring women for the past three decades. Visiting and exploring this history makes it all come alive and you become more alive for it. They are located in the City of West Hollywood & on the web at www.mazerlesbianarchives.org