Before language existed to identify persons whose gender expression and/or sexuality were non-conforming, nineteenth and early twentieth century local newspapers offered tantalizing clues that all was not straight and narrow. A few decades later, the late 1920s and early 1930s previewed the openness of recent times before giving way to a darker, more perilous era for LGBTQ+ people in the 1950s. After reviewing these twilight years, this program will look at the beginnings of the current movement toward LGBTQ+ visibility and rights.

Presenters include Baltimore Heritage LGBTQ+ History Walking Tour guides, Richard Oloizia and Louis Hughes, Preservation Maryland Intern and EPFL Staff Member, Ben Egerman, and EPFL Maryland Department Librarian, Lisa Greenhouse.